A wide variety of local artists will have a chance to show off their stellar work next month.

The Carbon County Creative Arts Fund, will host its third charity art exhibit, sale and auction at Blue Mountain from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on May 19. This organization is a fund of the Carbon County Community Foundation.

“Blue Mountain is such a beautiful venue to host this event,” said Kathy Fallow, founding donor of the CCCAF. “We were so disappointed when we had to cancel planned shows in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID, but we are back now, with even more artists than ever before and are anxious to show off our local talent.”

This event has drawn great turnout from across the county in the past and promises to be a welcomed event after a two-year hiatus.

The event will feature top artists who live and work in the Carbon County region, which include Desha Utsick, Joan Lech, Earlene Russel, Sheri Ryan, Mary Anne Shafer, Lynn Shupp, Jeanne Stemler, Duane Costenbader, Linda Christman, Susan DiFluri, Veronica Walck, Jay Davenport, Sarah Binder, Cheryl Popek and Claudia Hill. Some of these artists have years of experience, while others are displaying their creations for the first time at this event. Artwork will be sold as well as offered in a live auction.

Art presented will be of a variety of mediums, including photography, paintings, jewelry, woodcraft and various items made from gourds. There will be music and light fare refreshments. A cash bar will be available.

The event will also pay tribute to Mary Kocher, soon to celebrate her 101st birthday, for her lifetime achievement in the arts. Mary’s paintings grace the halls of many buildings and offices in Carbon County. Janet Salek, the group’s art coordinator, has gathered a number of Mary’s paintings from private collections to show at this event, so guests will have an opportunity to view art that they have never seen.

“We’ve collected 17 of Mary’s paintings involving various subjects as well as early works that show the wide range of Mary’s art.”

Proceeds from these events have provided grants to various artistic endeavors throughout Carbon County, such as the Zion Opera Workshop, the Bach and Handel Choir, the Palmerton Concerts in the Park, and the Carbon County IU talent show.

During COVID, a grant sponsored the “Sheltered Stories” project, organized by local libraries, to provide opportunities for Carbon County residents to share their thoughts, feelings and experiences during the epidemic through written reflections, pictures and other personally selected mediums. Submissions will be included in the State Library of Pennsylvania COVID-19 Digital Archive.

“We’re building a perpetual fund to support the arts in our community,” said Sharon Alexander, executive director of the Carbon County Community Foundation. “The efforts of the CCCAF, the volunteers and the donors today are going to grow and provide additional grants in the future.”

For more information, visit cccfoundpa.org/artwithaview. Guests should register online in advance by May 5 or by calling 855-545-1311. Tickets will also be available at the door.