Artist Alley welcomes 10 fresh new artists to the gallery family with a reception from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6. Many of the artists will be present to greet visitors and discuss their work.

“We are excited about the wide variety of work within the new group of artists joining us,” says gallery owner Jean Skipper. “There will be something fresh and new to appeal to all of our guests.”

Kim Sobat is a well-known local artist. She is a painter, working in oils and acrylics. When asked to describe her work she says, “Eclectic! I use a variety of styles from realism to abstract. I usually get an idea or see something that inspires me and will use the style that best expresses the idea.”

Sobat’s abstracts and landscapes are now on display at Artist Alley.

“Visitors will be excited to see many of her beautiful pieces featuring local Southern Pines scenes,” says Skipper.

Janice James is a newcomer to Artist Alley, but familiar to many in Southern Pines as she has taught art at the elementary school level in Moore County for many years. James works in a variety of mediums. Her current body of work on display at the Alley features figures, particularly women, combined with elements of nature and fantasy.

Adams holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from UNC Greensboro and has worked in graphic design and created custom and commission work for many years. Some local visitors may also know James from her time as a tattoo artist at ADI Tattoo on Morganton Road here in Southern Pines.

Carol Butler is also a Southern Pines resident. Butler has been painting in oils for 10 years. She is primarily self-taught. She is inspired by nature and animals, and her artwork usually depicts those themes. Butler works with transparent oils and glazing to produce work that is reminiscent of the style of Maxfield Parrish.

“In addition to these three artists, Artist Alley is also pleased be joined by seven more,” says Skipper.

Marylin Sterret creates lovely pine needle baskets. Cassie Butler is a photojournalist who has just finished up her degree in photojournalism at UNC-Chapel Hill. Mary Nan Thompson is a watercolor artist well known for her historic scenes of Fayetteville. Kimberly Krause creates lovely fabric postcards. Cheryl Fox specializes in recycled glass wind chimes made from flattened glass bottles. Ashlee Park has a degree in fashion design and creates a line of funky, kitschy and retro jewelry and accessories. Doris Smith is an oil painter with a gift for realistic depiction of a variety of subjects.

Artist Alley features the work of more than 60 North Carolina artists and craftspeople, many of them local residents.

Visit the gallery during regular hours, Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The gallery is located in downtown Southern Pines, one block east of the train station, at 167 E. New Hampshire Ave.

For more information, call (910) 692-6077.