Watercolors by Susan Rau at Arts Center in March

Local watercolorist Susan Hannah Rau will be the featured artist throughout March in the Ocean City Arts Center's gallery.

A "Meet the Artist" reception, free and open to the public, will be held Friday, March 8, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm.

Rau says of her love for painting, "To paint is to drift into a world of colors and shapes.  I always hope to bring out of this world a little bit of beauty that I can share with everyone."

Rau is known in the community for sharing her time and talent. She has, for more than seven years, served as a volunteer teacher helping the Arc artists, students from the Arc of Atlantic County who are physically and mentally challenged. In addition, she helped beautify Ocean City by painting several utility boxes throughout the town. 

Rau has recently founded two groups of innovative artists in the area, "Jump-In," located in Millville, and "Out of the Box," in Linwood. She is also know for her work on several well-received murals in the area including a "famous authors at the shore" painting on the wall of the Ocean City Free Public Library. 

An award-winning artist, Rau was selected for showing at the prestigious Monmouth County Arts Council and at the National Endowment for the Arts show in Cape May Court House, where she in 2012 received first place in the Professional Category.  She has also won Juried Art Show prizes at the Ocean City Arts Center, the Riverfront Renaissance Arts Center in Millville, and the Ocean City Fine Arts League.

Ocean City Arts Center Executive Director Rosalyn Lifshin said, "We look forward to exhibiting Susan's work at the Arts Center. She has taught watercolor and folk art here for many years and we have admired her work.  She has participated in many juried arts shows and themed shows in the gallery and we look forward to presenting her one woman show in March."

Rau's paintings will be for sale.  For further information, visit the website at www.oceancityartscenter.org or call (609) 399-7628.The Ocean City Arts Center is open 9 am to 9 pm, Monday through Friday, and 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday and is located at 1735 Simpson Avenue. 

— News release from the Ocean City Arts Center