“The Wonders of Nature” exhibit, which opened Aug. 30 at the State Botanical Garden and runs until Sept. 21, isn’t just a celebration of the work of local artists – it is also a commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the local Athens Art Association.

The exhibit, sponsored by the Athens Art Association, will be held at The Botanical Garden in Athens. The Garden, which is operated by the University, has historically had a very close relationship with Athens artists, says Julie Villella, the art exhibit coordinator for The Garden. Those same artists come together in the Art Association, the oldest in the city, which is dedicated to the advancement of visual arts in Athens.

“It’s a good organization to help artists find a place to show their work,” said Bill Pierson, a local artist who found a fit in the Art Association’s exhibit. Most of his work is inspired by themes in nature.

Pierson said his work for the exhibition was inspired by the book “On the Laws of Japanese Painting” by Henry P. Bowie. Pierson draws from a chapter in the book on the Japanese tradition of artists in the hot months of summer, depicting cool scenes in the winter or water. He produced a work showing two chickadees playing in the snow.

However, according to John Weber, a local photographer and member of the Association, it is not as easy for him to find inspiration. Other artists can just draw what they see, but Weber as a photographer must first go out and find it. The Association helps him find those ideas.

“Networking with painters and other visual artists stirs creativity,” said Weber.

The creativity inspired by the other artists in the Association is now on display in a variety of forms, including watercolor, acrylic, photography and sculpture.

“Art must tug at the heart strings, represent a mood, or invoke a memory,” Weber said. “It’s an act of establishing a relationship between the artist’s creation and the viewer.”

The Association holds meetings the first Thursday of every month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Mary Lyndon House. Present at the meeting will be North Carolina artist Carl Ealy, who is classically trained and now makes gift cards. He will be speaking on the most effective way artists can market their work.