WHAT: “The Ways of Water”: Paintings by Jill Berry; “Old-Fashioned Appeal”: Paintings by Lauren McCrory; “Shine“: Mixed Media by Angie Bolling; “Go Figure“: Paintings by Jo Patton; exhibits and live demonstrations

WHERE: Eastern Shore Art Center, 401 Oak St., Fairhope

WHEN: Aug. 2-31

First Friday Art Walk in downtown Fairhope at the Eastern Shore Art Center opens with a bang on Aug. 2, 6-8 p.m. with art ranging from colorful abstract paintings to wondrous light bulb installations.

Starting in the Bischoff Gallery, young artist Lauren McCrory exhibits her beautiful abstract acrylic and pastel works. She has gained much attention locally and in several online publications such as creative Christian magazine, Ktizo.

McCrory says, “These abstract pieces convey my love for bright and soft colors, reminding me of a time and place that is not hurried or busy. A place where you can breathe easy. A place that is old and sweet. In the countryside or on a sailboat, the colors call me to something simple and childlike. Something a little old-fashioned.”

Local artist Jo Patton exhibits this month in the Woolley Gallery with figure paintings, some bordering on realistic and others extremely abstract depending on the struggle between what is seen or what she wanted to say. Even though she uses different methods and techniques, she hopes that her paintings will be remembered more for their emotional content.

Patton will also be heading a workshop at the Eastern Shore Art Center Sept. 11-13. In “Designing Your Painting,” she will demonstrate how composing with color and value can improve the artist’s paintings, accentuating their strengths and uniqueness.

The Whiting Gallery explodes with bright and vibrant color in Angie Bolling’s exhibit “Shine.” In her first solo show, Mobile native Bolling explores the many different meanings of the word “shine,” ranging from unique assemblages created from found objects like broken glass to Family Tree collages made from vintage items comprised of sequins.

Bolling has worked in a wide array of artistic areas, including acting in fim, radio, and TV. Her varied resume includes her role as Elle Murphy, “Mrs. Robocop,” in the Sci-Fi “Robocop” Trilogy, “Voice of American Airlines” and “Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty.” She can also be seen in national commercials for Home Depot, EyeMasters and Texas Tourism.

The Courtyard Gallery welcomes landscape painter Jill Berry, of Pensacola, back to the Art Center in her solo exhibit, “The Ways of Water.” Voted Emerging Artist by nationally distributed magazine, Art Galleries and Artists of the South, Berry has found that that the interaction between land, sky and sea provide inspiration and challenge her to capture an impression of having been there.

Berry says, “Water continues to draw me, flowing through this body of work — a painted travelogue, journeying beyond the familiar Gulf Coast to lakes, rivers, waterfalls and to the Pacific Ocean.”

First Friday Art Walk takes place in downtown Fairhope Aug. 2, from 6-8 p.m. Refreshments and live music will be provided. Exhibits run until Aug. 31.

The Eastern Shore Art Center is free to the public and located in downtown Fairhope at 401 Oak St. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit esartcenter.com or call 251-928-2228 ext.101.