An opening reception for the exhibit “Climate Catastrophes” by Kathy Klein of Gloucester will be held from 6-8 p.m. on First Friday, Jan. 5, at Arts on Main in Gloucester. It is free and open to the public.

In a collection of abstract paintings, Klein explores the often-terrifying moments when nature unleashes an attack on us, said a press release, “an attack which we are powerless to halt.”

Whether the subject is fires in California, where her family members live, or hurricanes that come up the coast to swirl around Gloucester, Klein “presents the impact of the natural world gone wild,” said the release.

Klein’s paintings imagine the impact of floods and drought and mingle “paintings of the glaciers and ice ledges of Antarctica with those of flooded fields and grains of sand, the roar of fires, and the winds to evoke the wonder and danger of nature.”

Klein said her mixed-media paintings, which range in size from 6”x6” to 36”x48,” are evocative rather than naturalistic, said the release, with layers of color predominating and hard and soft edges playing off each other in the same piece. The works suggest a literal meaning, she said, but they can also be read metaphorically.

“Although I frequently work in a series,” said the artist in the release, “each of the works has individual and specific resonance. And, when shown together, they play off each other for a cumulative effect.”

Klein’s installation “Colonialism” won the First Installation Prize at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center in 2010. Her most recent show, “Women’s Worlds,” moved from Arts on Main to the Woman’s National Democratic Club gallery in Washington, D.C.

Her exhibit at Arts on Main will be on display until Saturday, Jan. 27.

Music for First Friday will be by Andy Sowell. There will be light refreshments, and beer and wine will be available for purchase.
For more information, visit gloucesterarts.org.