"Island Women" is the focus for the First Friday Reception tomorrow, April 6.

The reception will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Art Center for the Islands, 323 N. Alister St.

Food will be provided by Island Café and Smokehouse. Live music by Tiddle Caylor, Eddie Lee Skipwith and Jack Gant will create a soothing atmosphere for guests as they view the art.

The art displayed this month will include art in memory of Alicia Dreessen who died Friday, March 30, as well as art by Pat Dittberner, Judith DeShong Hall, Narice Hopp and Sue McClurg.

The free reception is open to the public.

Dreessen's recent primary mediums were acrylic, pen and ink, but she also was a graphic artist, created logos, illustrated books and created works in stained glass and etching. She was active in the art center and had been on its board of directors.

Dittberner creates in pastels, charcoal, pencil and ink. She teaches a drawing class at the art center and has served on its board of directors.

DeShong Hall is an instructor in watercolors, acrylics and pastels. She has won many awards while participating in juried shows and is on the art center's board of directors.

Paintings by island women are on display for the month of April at the Art Center for the Islands and will be featured at the First Friday reception. From top left clockwise, are works by Sue McClurg, the late Alicia Dreessen, Pat Dittberner, Judith DeShong Hall and Narice Hopp. Hopp uses acrylics and watercolors and has studied the European old masters and ancient and modern styles of Mexico and Central America. She learned graphic design, taught art and has won many first place and best of show awards.

McClurg works in many mediums, painting in oil, acrylic and watercolor and creating in all forms of clay and dichroic glass. She instructs jewelry classes at the art center and has served on its board of directors.

The corporate sponsor for April is the Island Woman Boutique.