POTSDAM -- “The Trees of St. Lawrence County” art exhibit will open at the St. Lawrence County Arts Council, 18 Elm St., April 3 through May 20.

“The Trees of St. Lawrence County: The North Country’s Living Beauty” is a collection of Gouverneur artist Paula RWL Towne’s large-scale mixed media paintings of trees, most of which are painted, carved, and burned into wood.

There will be an opening night reception Friday, April 10 from 5-7 p.m. Attendees can meet the artist and listen to a talk on the trees of the North Country by Paul Hetzler, the Horticulture and Natural Resource Educator for the Cornell Cooperative Learning Extension of St. Lawrence County.

Hetzler received the 2014 Forestry Communications Award from the NY Society of American Foresters for promoting public understanding and appreciation of forest resources and stewardship.

Paula considers her tree paintings to simply be documentations of their individual lives. She hopes that this show enlightens the good citizens of the North Country so they are more aware of their surroundings, and make an effort to preserve and protect our beautiful trees.

Admission is free and the building is wheelchair accessible.

Info: www.slcartscouncil.org or 265-6860.