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The Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts will hold an opening reception on Thursday for its “Walk On The Wild Side” art exhibit, with artists available on site to meet with attendees. Admission is free and open to the public.

The reception will be held Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the BB&T and Norfolk Foundation Galleries at the Suffolk Center, 110 W. Finney Ave. “Walk On the Wild Side” showcases about 20 unique wildlife artists from a variety of different media.

Among the artists are Ryan Dockiewicz of Townsend on the Eastern Shore, and Spencer Tinkham of Norfolk, both of whom are “extremely talented woodcarvers” who create “non-traditional birds and wildlife,” according to the press release.

“Folk artist Ryan Dockiewicz specializes in carving decoys, birds, fish and just about anything that reflect his determination to preserve this American folk-art style,” the press release states. “Spencer Tinkham uses primitive tools, which seldom connect to electricity and mixes his oil paints from pigment powders. His sculptures are still made out of found materials and are wildlife focused and draw influence from literature, folk art, modern art and contemporary art.”

The “Walk On The Wild Side” exhibit kicks off “Chesapeake Requiem: Through The Lens,” a series of events running March through May focusing on environmental awareness and appreciation of coastal communities.

“Chesapeake Requiem: Through The Lens” is a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Suffolk Literary Club, in honor of the Club’s 125^th anniversary. Other partners include the Nansemond River Preservation Alliance, Suffolk Art Gallery, Suffolk Art League, Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society, Suffolk Public Library, Suffolk Tourism and the Suffolk Center.

This series includes “An Evening with Author Earl Swift,” author of Chesapeake Requiem, which observes the past, present and future of Tangier Island. This will be held at 7 p.m. April 30 at the Suffolk Center.

The “Walk On the Wild Side” exhibit will be on view from Thursday through April 26. Art galleries at the Suffolk Center are open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Visit suffolkcenter.org for more information.