Patrons of the Spring Gallery Fest were treated to a chance to speak with artists, view artwork and even learn a little bit about the creative process.

Dozens of people milled around, made conversation, admired the art and enjoyed refreshments.

Dennis Maloney, who works with copper and other metals, showed the meticulousness required to finish some pieces. He even had a small kiln to bake his work in the gallery.

Joe Madaras discussed his woodworking and carving with anyone who wished to listen.

"I do this more for therapy," he said of the small pieces on display. He makes a lot of furniture and even has his own saw mill.

No two pieces he creates are the same, he said.

LouAnn Ingram showed off the work she made using gourds.

"Well I've always been a crafter of some sort," she said.

She began using gourds to create art when she moved to North Carolina in 2000, after seeing another gourd artist.

She bought a piece and some books to start learning.

Thomas Cureton sat in the corner of a gallery, playing the guitar.

"What I do is finger-style playing," he said.

The recently retired Peachland resident plays at area rest homes.

Carol Benston, an oil painter, began a piece at roughly 4:30 and estimated she would finish at 7 p.m., as the show wrapped up. She paints horses and has done so since the age of 3.

"I think they're beautiful," she said. She said she felt God blessed her with the ability.

While she no longer owns a horse, she said it was for the best in some respects, since she does not paint while she has one. She used to ride and exhibit show horses.

She lives in Monroe, where she also has a studio.

Nancy Fitzsimmons, a Raleigh resident, was visiting her sister and exhibiting her work.

She creates pieces using mixed media. One on display used broken glass from a shower door on cheesecloth.

The show was held May 28 at the Lockhart-Taylor Center's Olde Mill Gallery.