East Fork Gallery reception Sunday

The East Fork Gallery in Gardnerville celebrates its 28th anniversary, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Featured artists are Helen Martin and Kas Monson. The Carson Valley landscape of Northern Nevada inspires each of these artists in their distinctive media. Martin captures the dusty sagebrush and rugged terrain with a soft palette of subtle watercolors and ink, depicting scenes with depth and vitality. Monson traps the brilliant hues of the Valley in her vibrant stained glass, angling light into prismatic displays of color.

Growing up in Santa Cruz County, Calif., Martin was always drawing - brides, babies, horses, dress designs and house plans. Art classes in junior high and high school produced posters, prom bids, cartoons for the school paper and the giant Willie Wildcat head that the football team ran through at every home game.

Never one to be happy with just one medium, she went on to take lots of drawing and painting classes through various community college and adult education programs. After traveling extensively, she now lives at the base of the Pine Nut Mountains east of Gardnerville, on an old homestead which has given her the opportunity to absorb the scents and light of this sage covered landscape. Often it's just little scenes that catch her eye while out on her ATV or hiking. She is always trying to get it down on paper.

Meet the artists and enjoy refreshments at the East Fork Gallery, 1503 Highway 395, Gardnerville. Information, 782-7629.