The members of the Artists League of the Sandhills cordially invite the public to the opening reception of the 18th Annual Art Exhibit and Sale at the Exchange Street Gallery in Aberdeen.

The exhibit opens Friday, Nov. 9, with a wine and cheese reception from 6 to 8 p.m., and continues Saturday, Nov. 10, from 10 to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Meet the artists as they paint in their studios throughout the weekend. The show and sale will remain open through Thursday, Dec. 27, with gallery hours daily from noon to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

"With approximately 500 original works of art -created by local professional and amateur artists, this is an ideal occasion to obtain the perfect artwork for your home or as a gift for the approaching holiday season," says a spokesman. "Oils, watercolors, acrylics, pastels, colored pencils, inks and mixed media in a variety of styles, sizes and prices are available for the discerning customer."

Each year the president of the Artists League has a painting featured on the exhibition postcard and in promotional materials.

This year, Linda Bruening's oil painting "Ribbons of Light" is the featured work. Bruening moved to the Sandhills in 2006 and has been a board member of the Artists League for five years.

The League offered Bruening, a former high school art teacher, the opportunity to renew her love of art and to concentrate on oil painting. Her studio at the League reflects her choice of -landscape, waterscape and still life as subject matter, her interest in unusual angles, levels and perspectives, and captures the -various light, shadow, reflection and color that give her paintings such a unique quality.

"A painting should be a visual presentation of something the artist wants the viewer to interact with," she says. "Paintings are about experiences - mine as a painter and yours as a viewer."

Harry Neely, winner of the People's Choice Award 2011, donated an original oil painting for the raffle being held on Sunday, Nov. 11. The painting, "The Garden Trove" ($900 value), is a 14-by-18 framed oil on linen.

Neely enjoys blending the classical craftsmanship and technique of the masters with the paints, media and materials of today.

He calls his style -"contemporary classical." His paintings have been recognized and awarded by museum curators, artists and internationally renowned critics.

Raffle tickets may be -purchased from ALS -members, the League office or the Exchange Street Gallery. A book of six tickets is available for $5 or $1 per individual -ticket. The winning ticket will be drawn at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11.

The Artists League of the Sandhills is a nonprofit organization founded in 1994 to promote the development of the visual arts in the Sandhills area.

Classes and workshops in various mediums are open to ALS members and nonmembers. Classes are given by prominent local and regional artists, and workshops feature -nationally recognized instructors.

The Artists League is located in an old restored railroad warehouse at 129 Exchange St. in -downtown Aberdeen.

For additional information on the exhibit, classes or workshops, call (910) 933-3979 or visit www.artistleague.org.