'Artistic Women' exhibit at library; Massasoit Art Guild works are on display during April.

• Position: Weeklies

SOUTHBRIDGE -- Five artists from the Massasoit Art Guild will exhibit artworks and photography through April 30 at the Jacob Edwards Library, 236 Main St.

Works in various media including oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel and photography will be on display by Carole Bentley, Margery Cook, Mary Kay Ebersold, Jane Stendrup and Michele Loftus-Trzcinski. These five women, are all members of the Massasoit Art Guild. They are frequent participants in the Wednesday Morning open studio sessions where each artist works on their individual projects while supporting, critiquing and encouraging each other in their endeavors. These women have varied backgrounds, experiences and skills, but they all have one thing in common, their love of creating art.

An artists reception was held April 2 at 6:30 p.m., providing an opportunity to meet and speak with the artists. Here is biographical information and an artist's statement by each.

Carole Bentley has been interested in art since childhood. Crayons and coloring books started it all. She painted with a group of artists in Massachusetts for many years. From 2006-2013 she studied with Master Artist Pierre Theriault. She has taken workshops in oil, watercolor, pastel and "creative stretches.'' Carole gives credit for her success to many of the talented artists she has met, who have mentored her and encouraged her during her active membership with the Massasoit Art Guild of which she has been a member since 2004. Carole enjoys painting many different subjects: seascapes, landscapes, abstracts and florals, and she has been commissioned to paint a variety of subjects. She has won awards in various media in New England area shows. She is represented by Sbrogna Artistic Promotions; www.sbrognaart.com, Cormier Jewelers and Art Gallery, cormierspencer.com and her artworks are in private collections.

Margery Cook started painting at age 60. She began because many of her friends were artists. She knew nothing about art at that time, but appreciated others' works. Twenty five years later, Margery is still enjoying the learning process the joy of painting and sharing her art with others. Margery has entered her paintings in the annual Massasoit Art Guild shows, winning numerous prizes for her work. Her advice to fellow artists is a 1.Never get into a rut. Vary your styles and mediums. 2. Put love and expression into your work, and 3. If you feel you are not enjoying painting, take up another hobby! You can see examples of...