The Helen Arts & Heritage Center is celebrating “Helen for the Holidays” with a show-opening reception from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1.

The exhibit will continue through the first week of January. It is free and open to the public.

“As always, the HAHC gallery showcases a wide variety of work by our members,” Director Theresa Rice said. “Our featured artists for this show, potter Debbie Dowdy and photographer Russ Keen, have their own unique take on the holiday theme.”

Local favorite Dowdy has produced more than 60 new pieces of pottery for the show, including several dish sets.

“To me, the holidays are about celebrating the blessings of life, food, family, and friends,” Dowdy said.

Because of that, she is showing many functional dishes for food as well as a new venture, pieces she calls “bottle heads.”

Visitors to the show familiar with photographer Russ Keen’s camerawork will be impressed with his range, according to Rice.

“Russ, with his camera in tow, is a well-known sight around here and many folks are familiar with Russ’ people photos,” she said. “But the work he has done for this show expresses his deep attachment to the natural beauty of North Georgia. Keen’s photographs, specially printed on canvas, depict familiar and beloved views of the area taken from his unique perspective.”

For more information, contact the Helen Arts & Heritage Center at 706-878-3933.