Posted Jan. 14, 2016 at 7:00 AM

SALEM
Juni Van Dyke, director of the art program at the Rose Baker Senior Center, selected Virginia Dench and Genevieve McNamara as the January Artists of the Month, and their works are on display throughout January in the center, 6 Manuel F. Lewis St., Gloucester. Each month, Van Dyke selects one or two artists to honor with a show of their works.

Dench has always enjoyed observing the natural world around her and taking in its beauty. After she took an art class at the Rose Baker Senior Center, everything changed. She found that she could capture the beauty of nature in her drawings and paintings. She still observes nature but is now also able to share what she sees with others. Dench’s exhibit at Rose Baker will showcase her love of nature and her view of the natural world.

Coming from a family of artists, McNamara has always been interested in art. However, she did not pursue this interest until she was in her 60s and had time to take some art classes. She started working in acrylic and is now accomplished with watercolor and pencil as well. Examples of her work in all these mediums are featured in the Rose Baker exhibit and demonstrate her talent in portraiture of both people and pets.

This month’s show will run through the end of February. The works are displayed in the main lobby of the Rose Baker Senior Center and can be viewed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.