Two women exhibit through May 26 in Washington County Arts Council

HAGERSTOWN, MD >> Two ongoing exhibits in Washington County Arts Council, 34 S. Potomac St., feature heart-melting images of animals, both domestic and wild.

In the main gallery is "Donna Whitford Housel: Nature-Variable, Visual, Variety" and in the Hall Gallery is Carol Wilks' "Carol's Impressions."

Both exhibits will remain on display through May 26.

Housel has lived in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, all her life. She currently lives on a mountaintop with her husband and a menagerie of pets. This location provides a wealth of wildlife.

She works with pastels and colored pencils and was one of the founders of Greater Cumberland District Chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America -- based in Cumberland but formed to serve artists in Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Wilks has been involved in some form of art for a span of more than 40 years. Once she retired, she moved to Washington County and does portraits on commission.

She uses a variety of media including pastels, charcoal, acrylics, oils, watercolors and inks. Although portraiture remains her first passion, she also enjoys a variety of subject matter from landscapes to still life.

For more information about the exhibits, contact gallery manager, Chris Brewer at (301) 791-3132 or gallerymanager@washingtoncountyarts.com.