Members of the Colored Pencil Society of America have been hard at work, and the fruits of their labor can be seen on the walls of the Hall County Library.

"The library displays the art in the gallery to promote education about the arts, to give people an opportunity to explore new means of self-expression and to highlight some of the talented people in our community," said Marion Hunter, who organized the exhibit.

The colored pencil exhibition includes the works of five artists: Susan Calderon, Joan Gelblat, Tommy Hunt, Carol Sorenson and Debra Yaun.

"Colored pencil is just one of the mediums we display in the gallery. We are honored to have the works of some of the finest, award-winning, colored pencil artists in Georgia," Hunter said.

The exhibit will be displayed through the month of February.

"It is amazing to see the skill and attention to detail the artists have given to their work using colored pencil," Hunter said. "We've had people comment that some of the artworks are so lifelike that they look like photographs."

All artists are members of the CPSA Atlanta district, chapter 107. Debra Yaun, a Hall County resident, is president of the chapter.

"Colored pencil art is usually very detailed and many, many hours, sometimes months, can go into a single piece," Yaun said.

On top of leading CPSA meetings in Dunwoody, Yaun also represents Atlanta during the yearly international exhibits. One of her pieces, "My Garden Tapestry," was also featured in an exhibit last year in California.

"Some of the artwork displayed in the library are award-winning pieces from the CPSA international exhibit, including a piece by Joan Gelblat, Tommy Hunt and one of my tapestries, ‘Memories of Dad's Yard,'" Yaun said.

The exhibit is free, and the public is invited to enjoy the works of local, decorated artists.

"Learning about art is not just for those who are young. Some of the most talented and gifted students are those who are now retired and have become lifelong learners. In short — you're never too old," she said.

Though less funding is being provided for arts in schools, organizations like CPSA and the Hall County Library hope to raise arts awareness.

"The arts encourage people to look at things with a new perspective, to view life through the eyes of others and to have an appreciation for the beauty all around us," Hunter said. "The arts teach flexibility in thinking and appreciation for another person's perspective."

By displaying art, Hunter hopes to encourage others to appreciate its intrinsic value — and the library's resources.

"People should come to see this exhibition because it will open their eyes to new possibilities and challenge their creativity and imagination," she said. "Learning about art is also a great motivator that provides an important balance in a total educational experience."