With the arrival of spring, the artists of Hollyhocks Art Gallery located on Linden Road in Pinehurst will host their first annual spring open house and art show Saturday, May 3, from noon to 5 p.m.

"Petit Fleurs: A Spring Celebration" will feature smaller-sized original art by local artists Jane Casnellie, Diane Kraudelt, Irene McFarland, Paula Montgomery, and Wilmington artist, Bob Gera.

"We will present our best, new smaller-sized works of brilliant, gem-like flowers, verdant grasses, and purple-blue skies as well as a few surprises and unique interpretations," says proprietor Jane Casnellie.

This is the first spring art show and open house to be held at Hollyhocks Art Gallery, and plans are to make it an annual event, along with the holiday open house in November.

"For this particular art show, and in an effort to get our creative juices flowing, we decided to pay homage to the renewal of Mother Nature and all the beauty one associates with spring," says Casnellie. "More specifically, we wanted to focus on smaller-sized art that is perfect for gifts and diminutive spaces in the home. Smaller works can be little jewels of inspiration, a splash of color in a dark corner, a reminder of distant seashore, or garden visited on a holiday in Provence or Tuscany, or just a pleasing morsel to touch your soul."

Casnellie points out that since smaller art works do not necessarily have to be hung on a wall, they can be tucked into unexpected corners such as bookshelves and desktops, and displayed at will to draw the eye to an area otherwise overlooked.

"Of course, small works also make perfect gifts, given their price range, and are easily packaged and shipped by mail," she says. "Many of our clients surprise their loved ones with commissions of portraits of family pets, grandchildren, or grand-sized floral pieces to grace an elegant living or dining room."

Casnellie believes that the artists represented at the gallery are versatile because of their disparate artistic backgrounds and training, or even lack thereof.

"This, I believe, is our strength and what keeps our clients coming back to visit and purchase," she says. "We are often surprised as to which work sells first. Oftentimes, the piece we are most critical of may be the most sought after."

Casnellie says that she feels extremely fortunate to work with and represent a group of very talented and recognized artists.

"Recognition for one's art is an important part of any artist's career, and receiving entrance into nationally recognized juried art shows is something we all strive for," she says. "It is also very gratifying and of course makes the hard work we put into our craft worthwhile. We try not to limit ourselves, and seek out juried shows around the country in an effort to broaden our horizons with recognition outside the local area."

All of the artists have been featured artists and have received awards at shows sponsored by the Arts Council of Moore County.

"We in turn are often approached for donations of artwork for local fundraisers," says Casnellie. "This affords us the opportunity to do our part in giving back and thereby supporting the local community which has been so supportive of us."

At least one day per week, the gallery holds "Artists at Work" sessions when one of the artists can be found painting on site. These special days and dates are listed on the Web site, www.janecasnellie.com.

"We also encourage groups to visit us, and we are happy to give demonstrations which have been very successful in the past," says Casnellie.

"Combining a visit to the Gallery with lunch or dinner at Elliott's on Linden, which is right next door, makes for a great outing and interesting day. In fact, owner and Chef Mark Elliott will be offering special product discounts, plenty of delectable food samples and will also feature some very special wines in the wine shop. Kitchen Essence will feature some special product discounts for everyone on May 3. We are expecting this to be a grand event with much to enjoy, so we are hoping that the public will stop by, have a glass of wine, visit with the artists and enjoy all the day has to offer."

"Petit Fleurs" will remain on exhibit at the Gallery for the month of May. Hollyhocks Art Gallery, which is located at 905 Linden Road (next to Elliott's Restaurant), is open Monday through Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and in the evening when guests at Elliott's on Linden are invited to stroll through the gallery before or after dinner.

The entrance to the gallery is through Kitchen Essence.

For more information, call (910) 255-0665 or visit www.janecasnellie.com.