The city of Enumclaw and 4Culture of King County present the work of painter Joe Longo through Feb. 2. His display, titled “The Watchful Eye,” is now inGallery 2016, found in council chambers at Enumclaw City Hall.

Longo recently won two awards in the acrylic category at the Mountain Valley Arts Club competition in Puyallup. His paintings simplify the complexities ofnature to provide images of clarity and beauty.

“Although I have had no formal training in art, I have loved to draw all of my life,” Longo wrote in a formal artist’s statement. “I have also had an extreme fondness for wildlife and nature– my friends know me as ‘The Tree Hugger’ – so it was only natural that I became a wildlife artist.”

With the exception of a 10-year period of residing in Arizona, Longo has lived in the Pacific Northwest for more than 70 years.

“I was fortunate to have had my avocation become my occupation,” he wrote, explaining that with his wife, Marge, he kept and bred rare and tropical birds for more than 40 years in the Puget Sound area. Both were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards in the field of aviculture.

Longo’s exhibit is open to the public weekdays, except Tuesday.

Call to Artists

The city of Enumclaw is calling for artists to exhibit original two-dimensional artwork in Gallery 2016. Organizers also are interested in filling the display casein the City Hall lobby and welcome requests.