Gwinnett Daily Post

NORCROSS -- Through many mediums, concepts and visions, several local artists created pieces for Kudzu Art Zone's latest exhibit, "Song in my Heart," which opens to the public on today.

Kudzu, a nonprofit gallery, wanted to start the year off with a fun, light-hearted exhibit, especially around Valentine's Day.

"There's a group of us that I like to call the 'Gallery Gals," who got together last fall and came up with names and titles for year and 'Song in my Heart' just stuck," Anne Gordon, gallery exhibitions co-coordinator said. "We probably did it for this first show because it's including February."

Artists were told the theme in advance and allowed to create anything they wanted. Some people were literal with the pieces; others took it in a different direction.

"'Song in my Heart' is simply a title," she said. "There are a lot of people who did something that have music notes, or hearts, reds and pinks, and some people that didn't do anything with songs and hearts -- including me."

With more than 50 entries, there are oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, pencils and more displayed at the gallery, but there were no ceramics, sculpture or jewelry entered for this exhibit. The works will be judged on opening night and five awards will be passed out: first, second and third places, plus two honorable mentions. Those who win first, second and third walk home with a cash prize.

If nothing else, Gordon and the Kudzu staff want the public to enjoy the art gallery while it's hanging for the next few months.

"I hope people come to Kudzu to see a wonderful combination of artists and backgrounds from beginners to nationally awarded artists," she said. "We have an impressive membership."

The exhibit runs until April 28.