Brentwood, TN — Brentwood’s FiftyForward Martin Center will offer visitors an opportunity to indulge their artistic sides from Nov. 4-5, as it opens its doors to the general public for the fifth annual Martin Masters presents Zoe’s Gallery of Friends – an art exhibit and sale featuring works from more than 40 local artists.

The exhibit kicks off with a preview party on Thursday, Nov. 3 from 5 until 7:30 p.m., where attendees will enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres as well as a chance to preview the art and meet the artists. Tickets to the preview party are $30 per person. On Friday, Nov. 4 and Saturday, Nov. 5, the event and sale will be open free to the public from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Named in honor of the late Zoe Wells, one of the annual exhibit’s founding members and a long-time art enthusiast, the three-day event has consistently drawn over 600 people. Through art sales and preview party tickets, the Martin Center hopes to raise funds to support programs and operating costs.

This year’s featured artist is Ken White. Ken has been involved in the communication arts as a graphic designer, illustrator, fine arts painter and design firm owner. The company he founded, White plus Associates, has been featured in California’s Communication Arts Magazine and Japan’s Idea Magazine. White has guest lectured at the UCLA School of Advertising and Design, the Art Center College of Design (Pasadena, Calif.) and many art director clubs throughout the United States.

White attended the University of East Tennessee, the Art Center College of Design and Chouinard Art Institute (Los Angeles). He taught graphic design at UCLA Extension and at Otis Parson School of Design, also in Los Angeles. Working in oil, pastel, charcoal and various mixed media, he approaches his subjects intuitively and emotionally, rather than simply intellectually.

“The theme of a painting is not as difficult to unravel as in, say, a novel, because the painting is right there in your face – exposed, as it were, instantaneously seen. It is the subtext of abstraction, texture, brush technique, color and symbolism that add to the painting’s complexity and mystery,” White wrote in his Artist Statement. “Some call it magic, or even alchemy. For a painting to be experienced and to live beyond itself depends on the viewer’s sensitivity, knowledge and understanding – which causes the painting to be emotionally felt, as the artist intends.”

Located at 960 Heritage Way in Brentwood, the Martin Center is a private, non-profit organization that provides services and programs to help people 50 and over stay active and healthy as they age. The facility features ample free parking as well as plenty of handicapped parking. For more information, call (615) 376-0102 or visit www.themartincentertn.org.