Abbe Creek Gallery, 105 First St. NW, Mount Vernon, announces the opening of its new exhibit “Inspired By…” to take place Thursday, March 20, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The exhibit will continue to be displayed through April 19.

“Inspired By…” features the work of eight artists, exploring how a spark of inspiration becomes their idea and then transformed into a work of art.

The exhibit displays a vignette that includes one original work of art, a detailed statement connecting the artist’s work to their creative influence, and an image or object that further illustrates how that inspiration fuels the artist’s work.

In this exhibit you will see how a routine school assignment sparked a new awareness, a fleeting moment in nature inspired hope, or how loss inspired creation. The way these ideas are expressed is often influenced by the artists who came before us. The styles and techniques of artists working in the 15th century as well as artists still living today have guided many of this show’s eight artists.

Featured are Amana painter Gordon Kellenberger; Colorado sculptor Jan Carson; and Mount Vernon artists Robert Campagna (photographer); Chris Childers (painter); Sue Coleman, pastel artist; Angie Heuton (mixed media); Hugh Lifson (painter); and Kimberly Machovec-Smith (painter).

For example, Campagna attributes some of his black-and-white imagery and silver-gelatin printmaking style to his studies of renowned photographers Ansel Adams and Bill Owens.

Machovec-Smith connects her paintings to nature and gardening. She will display a 16 x 40” painting, an artist statement, and a photograph of sprouting seeds or an excerpt from the book she was reading when her idea struck.

Childers is inspired by and aspires to create tonalistic, impressionistic landscapes. He is particularly impressed by the work of such contemporary artists as Canadian David Sharpe.

The gallery is owned and operated by Robert Campagna, Chris Childers, and Kimberly Machovec-Smith.