The Burien Community Center is now showing the paintings of artist Keli Sim-DeRitis. Keli has been a graphic designer and artist for over 25 years. She has dabbled with oil and acrylic painting since childhood, but it was not until an art retreat in 2008 that she discovered acrylic mixed media which reawakened her creative spirit and inspired her to start painting again. Keli works with acrylic paints and mediums and incorporates elements of collage and found objects in many of her pieces.

Keli has traveled extensively in Italy and France for pleasure and on buying trips as owner of Poggi Bonsi, a local gourmet kitchen store and direct importer of Italian and French products. In June, 2014 Keli teamed up with fellow artist Janet Crawley to teach “Art Affair in France” a week-long artist retreat in southern France. The landscapes in this show represent the beautiful landscapes they visited in the French countryside.

Keli is a mother, artist, teacher, entrepreneur, and adventurer. Learn more about Keli and her work at kelisimderitis.com. For more information on art her retreats in France visit www.artaffairinfrance.wordpress.com

Keli’s work will be displayed until the end of November. The Burien Community Center is open Mon-Thurs 8:30am-8:00pm, Fri 8:30am-5:00pm, and Sat 8:00am-noon. For more information please call 206-988-3700 or e-mail parksinfo@burienwa.gov.