For the City Times

Rural Portage County Artist Mary Lee Reineking exhibits her new art in “RFD, USA,” opening July 4 at Q Gallery in downtown Stevens Point.

Floral arrangements by Portage County Master Gardeners will complement specific pieces of work by Q artists.

The public is invited to meet Reineking and other Q artists at a free reception on Friday, July 14th from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. The show ends on September 1.

Harkening back to the beginnings of rural free delivery in 1896 when farm families could have their mail brought directly to them, Reineking created a body of new work celebrating rural America.

She describes her work as “colorful and stylized, with barns and animals with attitude. They’re fun and just a little whimsical.”

RFD, USA features watercolors of barns and old buildings as well as a series of small gouache portraits of farm animals.

“I grew up on a hobby farm and have lived in the country for most of my adult life,” said Reineking. “I love putting a lot of color and a bit of fun and fancy into my paintings, but it’s also about capturing some of the beauty of our rural countryside and memories of small family farms.”

Floral arrangements in RFD USA are done in conjunction with the Portage County Master Gardeners’ Garden Parade. The parade runs the weekend of July 14 and 15.

Q Gallery is run by a cooperative of local artists, accepted through a juried process. The gallery is located at 1108 Main St. in Downtown Stevens Point.

Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 11-3, closed Mondays.

Visitors are always welcome and all art is for sale. Additional information can be found online at qartists.com.