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By Brad McEwen

ALBANY — The bright and vibrant colors of the rainbow will be on full display this month at the Albany Area Arts Council, thanks to the organization’s newest exhibit, “For the Love of Color,” which opens Thursday.

The latest of the Arts Council’s monthly exhibitions at its Carnegie Library headquarters in downtown Albany, “For the Love of Color” will feature the acrylic paintings of local artist Betty Utz, who is known for her bright and beautiful style, and will run through Oct. 21.

“Working on this exhibition with Betty has been delightful,” said Albany Area Arts Council Executive Director Nicole Williams. “She is a naturally gifted artist, and her personality really comes through in her work.”

Williams went on to say that having a monthly exhibition featuring only one artist is somewhat rare, but that Utz’s recent output warranted a singular display to show off her talents.

“Now that Betty has turned her focus to her painting, she is prolific,” said Williams. “We could have filled the Carnegie Library Gallery three times over with her work. She has really embraced the gift of time to create that retirement has given her.”

Indeed, “For the Love of Color” will feature over 50 works by Utz, all of which she has painted in the past year, after becoming inspired to start painting. Utz said that while she has always been creative, it’s only been recently, after being inspired by famous painter Georgia O’Keefe, that she’s really jumped headfirst into painting.

“I’ve been into some kind of art form all of my life,” Utz said. “I have painted, I have kilned, I have done stained glass, I have done molded glass, I’ve even done some welding. I’ve always done something.

“In 2015, I decided I wanted a Georgia O’Keeffe painting to go over my fireplace. Knowing I could not afford one, I decided I would paint my own. So began this stage of very large and colorful paintings.”

Utz said that in short order she had painted seven O’Keefe-inspired flowers, but was eventually encouraged by her hairdresser to paint more and start showing off her work. Utz said she took him up on that and also started painting other subjects, including animals, landscapes and even an antique Smith and Wesson.

Having retired from a career keeping medical records at Palmyra Medical Center (now Phoebe North), three years ago, Utz decided she had plenty of time for painting and threw herself into her work, carving out two or three days a week dedicated to painting.

“I get up early — well, I’ve always been an early riser — and I start painting,” Utz said. “And then the day is over before I know it. Plus it’s a stress reliever and it keeps me busy.”

While painting has kept her busy, Utz, who has never been formally trained as artist, also says she simply enjoys doing it.

“My mom, when I was a child, started showing me how to draw, like cartoons and stuff, and I’ve done it ever since,” Utz said. “I doodle all the time. If I had a pen in my hand right now, I’d be doodling all over the place. I just love it.”

In Williams’ eyes, seeing that kind of dedication from an up-and-coming artist who doesn’t have much experience showing work, makes Utz a perfect candidate for having her own exhibition.

“She schedules painting time daily. She turns off the telephone and the television and she just works,” Williams said. “That type of work ethic is rare in fledgling artists, and it is often the difference between becoming a expert artist or eventually allowing the creative impulse to slip away.

“I am so grateful that she came to a place in her life where she can really concentrate on creating. It is a wonderful thing to have the opportunity as an Arts Council to showcase this sort of work. In this case, not only do we have another opportunity to promote the craft of a local artist, but we are really able to celebrate the life and joy of living that are represented in Betty’s work.”

“For the Love of Color” will open Thursday with a special reception at the Carnegie Library at 215 N. Jackson Street from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. The reception, which will feature light refreshments and a chance to chat with the artist, is free to the public.

The exhibition can also be viewed during the Arts Council’s regular hours 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays.

For more information about the exhibition and the Albany Area Arts Council call (229) 439-ARTS (2787) or visit www.albanyartscouncil.org.