BETHEL — Two local art galleries will host artist receptions for June exhibits on Saturday.

The Anderson County Arts Council will host an artist reception for Kris Hohlt’s exhibit “Color Outside the Line” from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at The Gallery, 115 E. Spring St.

The Museum for East Texas Culture will host an artist reception for Jack M. Hunter’s exhibit from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday.

Hohlt has lived in Elkhart for 29 years. She and her husband Bert raised two children together and have a grandson. She is a licensed midwife with a small home birth practice and also is a licensed massage therapist. She serves on the Anderson County Arts Council’s board of directors and attends Palestine Church with her family, where she plays flute on the Praise and Worship team.

“Born in Gilmer and raised all over the South, I have been exposed to all kinds of people and places. That makes for a wide range of inspiration and a rich heritage,” Hohlt said. “I cannot remember a day that I didn’t create some kind of artistic thing. I love all kinds of mediums and love to explore new and different ways of expressing the vision within.”

Exploring various mediums, tools and classes over the years, she has been learning sculpting and ceramics at Trinity Valley Community College for the past three years.

“Color awes and inspires me, bright bold ones are my favorite, especially red. I look to the world around me as a jumping off place. This planet is beyond beautiful,” Hohlt said about creating art. “I have played flute for some 30 years. I paint, photograph, sculpt, carve, sketch and design almost anything. My world is full of eclectic wonderful beauty.”

Kris Hohlt’s artwork will be on display the entire month of June at The Gallery. For information, call The Gallery at 903-724-0319.

Hunter’s artwork will be featured from June 5 to 28 at the Museum for East Texas Culture’s Art Gallery.

Born Sept. 12, 1930, in Bandera, Hunter grew up in a printing family and had an interest in graphic arts.

“That interest grew over the years into a keen appreciation for color printing. As the industry changed, and process color came to the forefront, I began following the commercial printing trade where the primary product was color. This perked an interest in studying oil painting,” Hunter said.

Hunter especially admired his uncle, Warren Hunter, who left the  family printing business to became a professional artist.

“Uncle Warren, my dad’s older brother, was a well known artist in San Antonio, for many years, having taught both fine art and commercial painting. I had a profound admiration for my dear uncle, and growing up, I wanted to be just like him. I wished many times I had gone to study art under his guidance,” Hunter said.

Hunter’s earliest interest in art came when he was in elementary school. He drew a scene of a Civil War battle on a poster which one first place. The prize was a ticket to the premiere showing of “Gone With the Wind.”

“While in high school I was chosen to be the art director of our school annual. I decided on a format using pen and ink drawings because our annual was to be printed in black and white. With one of my classmates assisting me we decorated each page with drawings. This effort saved our school hundreds of dollars in printing costs,” Hunter said.

Continuing with his love for art through the years, dabbling first in oil and then watercolor, Hunter wanted to broaden his techniques as much as possible in various mediums.

Naomi Brotherton, a native of Palestine, was recommended to Hunter as the best watercolor teacher in Dallas, so he began attending her classes.

“Studying under her for several years, I can say ‘she is the best,’” Hunter said.

Not long after exploring watercolor, Hunter took a course at Richland College in pastel portrait painting.

“I found this to be a special newfound interest in applying my skills. The challenge of forming a look-a-like image has been my most exciting venture of late. At times this takes hour upon hour to complete a portrait to my satisfaction. I’d have to say it’s a new labor of love,” Hunter said. “My goal is to change a hobby into a full-time endeavor.”

Admission to the museum is $2 for adults and $1 for children under age 12. The museum is located at 400 Micheaux Ave. For information, call the museum at 903-723-1914 or visit www.museumpalestine.org