The work of two local artists known for capturing the essence of eastern North Carolina life and landscape is the subject of a new exhibit opening tonight.

From 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., the public is invited to attend the opening reception at the Beaufort County Arts Council’s gallery at the Turnage Theater in Washington. The show features the work of Pat Boyd and Bailey Phelps, both of whom have been active members of the arts council for many years; both of whom have contributed award-winning works for the BCAC’s annual Fine Arts Show, according to Joey Toler, executive director of the arts council.

“Usually once or twice a year we have an opportunity where we can showcase individual, local artists,” Toler said. “Because we do a lot of annual shows, we don’t have the opportunity to highlight individual artists very often. So when we do, we’re very pleased.”

Boyd is the owner of Art & Things, a River Road art studio where she teaches student and adult art classes. When it comes to her work, she doesn’t limit herself to one medium. She paints in watercolor and acrylic, does pen and ink and pastel drawings — even glass etchings.

“For me, the challenge of trying something new is exciting,” Boyd said.

Boyd’s contributions to the dual exhibit revolve around local landmarks and scenes, many of which people will recognize, or may be just familiar enough to spark recognition without pinpointing an exact location. Boyd is passionate about nature: studying it defines her own art and how she shapes her students.

“If you can get it in your mind — if you can see it — you can draw it,” Boyd said.

The two artists’ work blends into an expansive, colorful, insider’s view of eastern North Carolina life.

Phelps, who hails from Williamston, is an illustrator, photographer and graphic designer, in addition to being an accomplished watercolorist. His paintings are centered around life on the river: structures, people, scenes that populate the local, watery, landscape — a kayaker in Devil’s Gut on the Roanoke River, old buildings lining the banks.

For Phelps, it was his and his wife’s involvement in building camping platforms with the Roanoke River Partners that became the basis of his current exhibit.

“We actually went out into the swamp and built the platforms and we just fell in love with the whole ecosystem. A lot of my work features that,” Phelps said. “That seems to be my theme right now. That’s the one I tend to gravitate towards: the natural environment, the wildlife and all.”

Over the course of simply painting things he liked to paint, a theme emerged — that of water life in rural North Carolina — and creating a sense of space and time became its focus.

“Even though (these pieces) are going to seem realistic, I like to paint them with a sense of atmosphere,” Phelps said. “A sense of place is really important.”

Boyd and Phelps’ work will be on display until Oct. 9 and may be viewed during the arts council’s regular business hours, Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Turnage Theater is located at 151 W. Main St., Washington.