It isn’t hard to observe the inherent beauty within nature through nonprofit arts organization Northwind Art’s new exhibit, “Spring into Summer,” displaying the jewelry of local artisan April Ottey and the mixed-media work from Ellen Reichart of Port Townsend.

Currently on view at Northwind Art’s Grover Gallery on Taylor Street, “Spring into Summer” features both artists’ exquisite works that center around the natural world.

The exhibit first opened June 4 and will run through Aug. 29, with gallery hours from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday.

“We’re excited to feature both of these artists at Grover,” said Kathleen Garrett, Northwind Art’s exhibits director. “April Ottey’s jewelry is amazing; her casting techniques really capture the beauty of so many of the things she finds on her walks in nature.”

From seedpods to sea urchin, from bark to blossoms, Ottey creates jewelry that allows one to connect with and keep nature close at all times.

Alongside Ottey’s jewelry pieces are the dreamy, spiritual, and nature-infused mixed-media artworks of Reichart.

“Ellen’s paintings have an almost otherworldliness about them,” Garrett said. “There’s also an element of spirituality and reverence for nature that you can feel when you look at them.”

Reichart works from memory and allows her dream images and daily surroundings to merge into her art. Creating from a variety of mediums, she often integrates found organic materials in her work. 

To learn more about “Spring into Summer,” Northwind Art, or the ther exhibits currently within the Grover Gallery, visit www.northwindart.org.