ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The Elk Grove Fine Arts Center in Old Town Elk Grove opened its latest new exhibit, “Worlds Apart,” featuring paintings and other mixed media pieces by artist Susan Taira. 

The new exhibit, which opened on Jan.4, is the first of the fine arts center’s 2025 slate of free “First Saturday” exhibits and features work inspired by the artist’s bicultural background and her love of nature. 

“I love nature,” Taira said. “I am a Buddhist, so I meditate, and it is so calming. There is nothing like being out in nature and getting away from your daily routine and getting out into nature. It's something that I am passionate about.” 

The exhibit showcases Taira’s diverse artistic background and includes watercolors and other paintings that draw from Japanese motifs like Mt. Fuji, koi fish and Noh masks. The exhibit also includes several assemblage pieces that reflect on Taira’s American heritage. Her pieces often include found natural elements such as twigs, stones, shells, Japanese fabrics and leaves. 

Darrci Robertson, gallery manager and curator for the Fine Arts Center, said she appreciates Taira’s willingness to try different mediums as an artist. 

 “I think Susan is a great artist,” Robertson said. “She is very talented, and I like that she has a variety of different mediums that she works with.”

While some artists like to gravitate to a specific medium, Taira said she doesn’t like to be confined to any style and takes any opportunity to try out new styles or techniques. 

“We are creatives after all,” she said. “I just do whatever I want because I am learning. I do it because I enjoy it.” 

The show will continue through to Jan. 23 before the gallery makes way for “A Celebration of Art with Students from the Elk Grove Unified School District.” The latter exhibit will run from Feb.1 through Feb. 20 and promotes artwork from young artists from art programs in local Elk Grove high schools. 

Awards and ribbons will be given during the First Saturday reception. 

The gallery also includes several works by represented artists and selections for its community art display as well as refreshments, live music and an opportunity to meet the featured artists.