The work of local artist Wayne Yurchak will be featured at the Tamaqua Community Art Center, 125 Pine St., Tamaqua, during the month of September. A meet and greet session will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 7, and will be open to the public. The artwork will remain on display until Sept. 29.

Yurchak is a native and current resident of Summit Hill who didn't discover an interest in art until later in life."I was around 50 when I became interested after looking at artwork on a variety of websites," says the artist, who admits to having no formal training. "Everything I've learned has been from lesson books, DVDs and internet videos."Yurchak has opted to work strictly in acrylics, which he enjoys "because they dry so fast."After painting somewhat aimlessly for a few years, he decided it was time to learn some of the basics. He moved on to topics like color mixing, under painting, painting back to front and adding highlights. His biggest thrill came when he sold two paintings at his first-ever local art show.Currently serving as treasurer of the Carbon County Art League, Yurchak's work can routinely be found on display at the Palmerton Hospital.Describing his style as "Impressionistic Realism," Yurchak focuses mostly on landscapes, but also does still lifes as the mood strikes.He offers this advice to anyone who is cautious of trying something new: "Do it, even if you are afraid. You never know what you can achieve."