The Suffolk Art Gallery and Suffolk Art League will present “Waterways: A Juried Exhibition of Works Relating to the Waters that Surround Us” and “Matt Eich: The Seven Cities,” which features photographs from the seven cities of Hampton Roads.

These exhibits will open Sept. 7 with a reception and awards presentation from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Suffolk Art Gallery, 118 Bosley Ave., Suffolk. The reception is free and open to the public. The exhibits will remain on display through Oct. 25.

“Waterways” will feature 68 artworks by 34 Hampton Roads artists working in a variety of media, including oil, photography, acrylic, pastel, wood, mixed media and clay. These images were inspired by the waters that surround us — from the rivers and lakes to the ocean and swamps.

“The most prominent feature of Hampton Roads is our many waterways. These exhibits will highlight not only their beauty but also their function in our economy and everyday life”, said Linda Bunch, SAL executive director.

Carolyn Barry, who is a charter member and former board member of the Nansemond River Preservation Alliance and also master docent at the Chrysler Museum, will serve as the juror to select the five “Waterways” award winners.

In addition, the first place-winner of the Nansemond River Preservation Alliance’s photography contest will be displayed during the exhibits.

“Matt Eich: The Seven Cities” has been organized by the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. Satellite exhibitions are also being held in each of the seven cities featured in Eich’s photography.

Eich has investigated the many facets of his own community and what makes them unique. He has entered the seven cities that comprise Hampton Roads and explored them as he has in other places in the world.

As a photojournalist, his client list includes publications such as TIME, National Geographic and The Wall Street Journal.

Eich was a recipient of a Suffolk Art League Student Scholarship in 2000 and exhibited his early work in the Suffolk Art Gallery’s Annual Juried Photography Exhibits. Eich used his scholarship funds to buy a new camera lens.

“We are delighted to now have a chance to exhibit his professional’ work,” Bunch said.

In addition to the exhibits at the Suffolk Art Gallery, Shooting Star Gallery, 118 N. Main St., will open “Southern Sites” on Sept. 7 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The Nansemond River Preservation Alliance and Suffolk Master Gardeners will present a talk and workshop on “Rain Gardens” on Thursday, September 19 at 7:00 p.m.

and the quarterly “Poetry, Prose and Pizza” open mic will be held at the Suffolk Art Gallery on Thursday, October 24 beginning at 6:00 p.m.

All events are free and open to the public.

For more information about these and other programs offered by the Suffolk Art League and Suffolk Art Gallery, call 925-0448 or 514-7284.