Dorchester Center for the Arts is pleased to welcome four regional artists to the galleries for the next exhibit entitled “Texture, Color and Light: A February Escape.” The featured artists are Susan Dickinson - oil paintings, Irene Chandler - quilts, Sarah Jillard – Fiber Arts, and Barbara Stone – Wearable Art.

Susan Dickinson studied art at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. She lives on the Eastern Shore on the Choptank River, with her husband, three dogs, and four cats. Her love of the natural world forms her earliest memories and fills her paintings. “I have painted and drawn since I was old enough to hold a crayon or a brush” says Ms. Dickinson. “My medium is oil painting. My technique is pointillism, a method of painting that uses distinct dots of color to form images. My genre is joyful surrealism, filled with light and clear bright colors.”

Irene Chandler is from Sussex County, Del., and has been quilting for 40 years. As a child, she inherited a treadle machine and taught herself how to sew. Inspired by nature, color and living near the water, Irene has taken hundreds of classes over the years which together have shaped her into an award-winning quilt maker. Irene has been long arm quilting for 17 years. She also enjoys teaching quilting classes and giving private lessons to others. There is no aspect of the quilting process that Irene doesn’t love!

Sarah Jillard is from Accomack County, Va., and began quilting in 2012, with her mom, during high school. She attended Towson University and studied Graphic Design. Sarah took a brief break from quilting, but resumed the craft when her children were born. Sarah’s work is influenced by her children and by nature. One-of-a-kind pieces are created by painting fabric, raw edge applique and free-motion quilting. They are then finished using traditional binding techniques. Sarah’s work is often inspired by her kids, but it also serves as her “escape” from them when needed!

Barbara Stone is co-owner of Blue Heron Yarns in Talbot County, formed in 1995 along with her son Demian Savits. Their mission is to provide the finest quality knitting, crocheting and weaving yarns in the most amazing colorways. Most of their yarns are made in the United States, with each batch meticulously hand-painted in an art studio setting. Barbara creates exquisite scarves, vests, jackets, and coats from these artful fibers. Visitors are welcomed in the Easton shop Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with other times by appointment.

This colorful exhibit opens Feb. 2 and runs through Feb. 25. Second Saturday Artists’ Reception will be held on Feb. 10, 5 – 7:30 p.m. with music and light refreshments. All are welcome!

For more information on activities at DCA, and how you can be involved, stop by 321 High St., or call 410-228-7782. DCA hours of operation are Tuesday – Thursday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 – 5 p.m. Programs at DCA are supported by the Maryland State Arts Council, celebrating 50 years of service to the arts. Like us on Facebook!

Editor’s note: Spectrum is the weekly column of the Dorchester Arts Center. It is written by Barbara J. Seese, executive director.