An opening reception will be held at the Weymouth Art Gallery at the Wells Public Library on Saturday, February 2 at 11:00 a.m. An exhibit of the paintings by Carol Santora will be on display from February 1 to February 29.

Carol Santora is a resident of Kennebunk. In 1983 while working as a registered nurse, she was encouraged by her husband to pursue her love of art by returning to college to earn an associate degree in fine art. She joined the local art association, began to participate in art exhibits, and won her first award ribbon for an acrylic painting.

After her graduation she continued to paint and study art at the Fitchburg and Worcester Art Museum schools, where she later went on to teach. Carol returned to college in 1993 to earn her BFA, summa cum laude, from Framingham State College. In 1996, she retired from nursing to pursue her career in art full time.

This artist is best known for her expressionistic and soulful animal paintings. From colorful, yet intimate close-ups of wildlife such as bears and wolves to heart-warming commissions of cherished family pets, Santora captures the essence and unique personality of the animals she paints.

For Carol, each painting begins with a foundation of thorough research that includes site visits to wildlife parks, farms and rescues all over the United States. She works from her own photographs and sketches.

Carol has been honored with over four dozen regional awards including several 1st Place, People’s Choice and Best in Show awards, and has exhibited all over the United States, St Thomas USVI and in France.

Locally her work has been shown at the Brick Store and Saco Museums, River Tree Center for the Arts, Heartwood College of Art, UNE Gallery, Biddeford and the Kennebunk River Club.

Her work is internationally collected, and her professional affiliations include the Art Guild of the Kennebunks, Maine Women in the Arts, Pastel Painters of Maine, and River Tree Center for the Arts.

The reception is sponsored by the Friends of the Wells Public Library. Food will be served. We hope to see you at the free event, and invite you to visit this exhibit located near the front of the library during the month of February.

If you would like to apply to exhibit your work at the gallery, please contact Virginia Souza at 646-2943.