The city of Enumclaw’s Gallery 2009 kicks off the new year with the “Walking with Wildlife” exhibit by Buckley artist Sallie Zydek Jan. 7 through Feb. 3. An artist reception is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 16 at City Hall.

Zydek’s artistic interests were first expressed in Enumclaw as a young girl. It was here she learned the basics and she has traveled through life with an interest in animals and well-developed skills in the arts.

“I was born and raised in Buckley and have been interested in wildlife and doing artwork since I was in grade school,” Zydek said.

Zydek attended White River High School, Tacoma Community College and the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. She also completed some graduate work at the University of Nebraska in Omaha.

“I worked with the Corps of Engineer, Omaha District, for 19 years, and while there I became a graphics illustrator,” she said. She has also been a member of the nature artist group out of Canada, and is also now a full member in the Artists for Conservation Foundation. She has had many pictures shown in the “Wildlife Art Magazine.”

“I have taken many art classes to learn the different uses of pencils, acrylics, pastels, and India ink,” she said. “It is amazing to me what one can do with a bottle of ink, a scrapper pen, or an engineer’s rapidograph pen. My art today is working in scratchboard and stippling. I use my knowledge of animals, and I research everything I do.”

Zydek is the first of many artists who have been selected by the Enumclaw Arts Commission for a Gallery 2009 exhibit. She will be followed by Janet Berthon in February; Jan Wieser, March; Sharman Owings, April; Mike Dilbeck, May; Helena Portvliet, June; Lea Bishop, July; Lori Twiggs, August; Peter Chafouleas, September; Guest Artist, Jean Stanley, November; Equestrian Exhibit, November; and Ken and Lydia Strange, December.

Gallery 2009 is in the council chambers at Enumclaw City Hall, 1339 Griffin Ave. Hours fare 8 a. m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The gallery is closed on Tuesdays.