Work by local artists Peg Johnston, Joe Bitner and Karen Elias will be featured in a month-long exhibit at the Gallery at Ross Library, with an opening reception on Thursday, Dec. 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Peg Johnston’s new work is inspired by her sojourns in Cape May as well as by her love of Lock Haven and environs. Several of her recent paintings are focused on views close to home, including gorgeous vistas seen from her own living room window. A longtime resident of Lock Haven, Peg has been drawing and painting since she was a little girl living in Jackson, New Jersey. Working in oil paint and water colors, she produces still lifes and vivid landscapes, many inspired by close observation of life lived close to the Susquehanna.

Joe Bitner has most recently been working at Williamsport’s Pajama Factory on a collaborative series with artist Todd Rice, once again examining existence through his unique and always inventive lens. Joe has been known to exclaim in public, “I’ll never understand what this is all about,” and then he goes on exploring the essential questions by beginning another of his exciting, provocative paintings.

Karen Elias has recently been exploring photographic collage, working to combine realistic images taken from nature with symbols suggestive of a meditative consciousness. These experimental combinations are ways, for her, of envisioning a more tender, balanced and potentially transformative human response to the natural world. Her sycamore bark series offers another opportunity to use light and shadow, as well as camera angle, to honor nature and reveal her enchantments.

The exhibit includes an exciting mix of creative techniques and artistic perspectives. Come talk with the artists on Dec. 4, partake of some holiday cheer and enjoy the works. The exhibit will be up for the month of December and can be viewed during regular library hours.