WILMINGTON- Two Wilmington artists, Jen Violette and Ellie Roden, have been invited to be feature artists for the upcoming exhibit, “Stamens and Stems: Nature’s Tryst,” at the Southern Vermont Art Center on West Road in Manchester.

Violette began working with glass when she was 19 during her sophomore year at Alfred University; she received her BFA from Alfred in 1994. She creates mixed media sculptures composed of detailed blown glass pieces, stainless steel, and wood. She has won numerous awards for her glass and exhibits her unique mixed-media sculptures in many fine art galleries and juried craft shows nationwide. Her work is included in numerous private collections throughout the world. To see more of her work visit www.jenviolette.com.

Roden, a retired elementary school teacher, is a self-taught pressed flower artist, having mastered her craft through years of trial and error and careful observation. Only real plant material is used in her work, most of which comes from her gardens, the woodland, roadsides of southern Vermont, and from the gardens of generous neighbors. Original designs, prints, cards, and bookmarks are the usual result of her creations. She welcomes custom orders. Roden’s work has been exhibited at juried art shows and in galleries throughout New England. Visit www.vtpressedflowers to see more of her pressed flower art.

The opening reception for the “Stamens and Stems” exhibit is Saturday, June 23, from 2 to 4 pm. It is free and open to the public. The exhibit runs until July 22. For more information go to www.svac.org.