Artist Alley in downtown Southern Pines will hold a First Friday showing of the work of Southern Pines artist Frank Pierce Friday, April 3, from 5 to 9 p.m. Pierce will be present during the evening to meet with visitors. Refreshments will be served.

Pierce has been an artist since he was a young boy. He began selling his fine art at the age of 16 and has pursued art as his career ever since. He even called art his vocation during his time in the military as an illustrator for the Air Force. He has worked in 38 states and several countries as a photographer, illustrator, graphic designer and fine artist for more than 40 years. He relocated to the Southern Pines area in 1988 while working as a freelance sports photographer.

Artist Alley will display Pierce's oil paintings for the show opening and through the month of April. He has studied oil painting for many years and has mastered many techniques.

"Painting is my passion," says Pierce. "I decided at a young age to follow that passion rather than seek riches and success. I have never regretted the choice. The human is a creative animal, and we are all creative in our own ways. My calling is visual art."

Pierce can usually be found at his location, A Southern Studio, at 275A NE Broad Street. There, he has a photography and graphic design studio, a custom framing shop, and prints giclee fine art prints of his artwork and works for other artists and photographers.

Pierce has recently been sharing his passion and skill by teaching classes in his studio. He says he has found the experience of sharing what he has learned over the years to be fun and rewarding and is proud of students' accomplishments. Their work will be on display for the month of April at Flynne's Coffee Bar on NE Broad Street.

"The opening for that show will be the same night as Frank's opening, so make plans to stop by there after you visit the Alley," says Jean Skipper, gallery owner.

The gallery's regular hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Artist Alley is located in downtown Southern Pines, one block east of the train station, at 167 E. New Hampshire Avenue.

For more information about the First Friday opening or the gallery, call Skipper at 692-6077.