Mary Singer’s “Celebration of Life” exhibit at Austin Area Art Center kicks off the gallery’s golden anniversary year.

The exhibit opens Wednesday, Dec. 31 and continues through Sunday, Jan. 25. A reception hosted by AAAC will be held in Singer’s honor from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4.

Singer studied art in school and at home with Art Instruction Schools, Minneapolis, and worked various art-related jobs doing layout and design of books and magazines while beginning to produce portraiture.

Although she delves into many other mediums, watercolor, oil and pencil are among her favorites.

Singer is a freelance artist whose subjects range from people and animals to homes and landscapes. Capturing the spirit of the animal or the soul of the person is what she

strives to accomplish, according to the artist.

Framed miniatures, oils and watercolors cover many subjects, but equine art, portraits, and scenes of the Mississippi River Valley viewed from the bluffs are among her favorite subjects.

She has a studio in her home and sells her work at galleries and gift shops, art shows and the Internet at www.msingerart.com.

The AAAC events in Oak Park Mall are free and open to the public.

For more information, call Austin Area Art Center at 433-8451, e-mail aaacoil@smig.net or visit the AAAC in Oak Park Mall.