ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — Combining an opening reception with hot glass/cold drinks, the Orange Beach Arts Center is the place to be on June 5.

Inside the Arts Center is an exhibit of two very different artists.

Self-taught Lookout Mountain artist Scott Thomas paints on a variety of objects, from hats to french horns.

Thomas was born in a mill village, and spent most of his adult life working in textiles, including the development and design of denim where he engineered new styles.

His greatest influence was “watching his grandmother transform leftover fabrics from sewing projects, flour sacks and old clothes into beautiful quilts.”

Thomas’ art is one of transformation as well. He takes items that have outlived their usefulness and turns them into whimsical works of art.

Bonnie Gravette is a Memphis artist whose styles includes abstract to folk. She graduated from Memphis College of Art in 2004, with a bachelor of fine arts degree in painting.

Influences include ancient cultural hieroglyphics, the earth’s strata and urban landscapes.

She has shown her work in more than 20 galleries throughout the mid-South.

For this exhibit she will feature a combination of her abstract designs with a folk style all in a palette designed for the Gulf Coast.

“Painting is my form of communication, a way to make better sense of the chaotic world around me,” she said.

Visitors can view this exhibit, meet the artists, and move outside to Hot Glass/Cold Drinks where resident artist Joe Hobbs and friends will be creating some exciting, one-of-a-kind blown and sculpted objects.

For a $20 donation you receive a hand-blown glass and your choice of beverage.