The First Friday exhibit this month features work by Nancy Buskey, top left, continuing clockwise, Donna Garven, Keith Wimer and Kathryn Lein. The reception will be tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 3. The work will be on display and for sale throughout the month at the Art Center for the Islands. The First Friday reception tomorrow, Aug. 3, will feature Merit Show artists. Artists featured will be Nancy Buskey, Kathryn Lein, Donna Garven and Keith Wimer.

Join art aficionados for an evening social full of art, music and refreshments. Tiddle Caylor, Eddy Lee Skipwith, Jack Gant and Ken Barnett will entertain musically.

The Beach Lodge will provide refreshments.

This event, sponsored by the Art Center for the Islands, is free and open to the public. It will be from 5 to 8 p.m. at the art center, 323 N. Alister St.

Buskey is a watercolorist, medical and scientific illustrator. After moving to Port Aransas, she took watercolor classes because of her desire to perfect her watercolor skills.

Lein says it is pleasure and struggle that keep her painting, and make going to the studio every day exciting. She splits her time between Mustang Island and Santa Fe, N.M.

Garven is a self-taught artist who enjoys drawing, collage, watercolor, oils and pastels. She lives on North Padre Island.

Wimer picked up the craft of carving as he served in the Merchant Marine for 35 years. The self-taught artist also makes furniture and glass etchings.

The corporate sponsor for August is Allied Waste/BFI.

Art Center for the Islands is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation celebrating more than 11 years of art and culture, island style.

For more information, visit www. portaransasartcenter.org.