Joy Gallery hosting artwork by Carolyn McDonald

The Joy Gallery is holding an opening reception for its new show on April 17.

The gallery will host artwork by Birmingham-based painter and teacher Carolyn McDonald. McDonald earned two fine art degrees in painting and drawing from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and a doctorate in art education and minor in painting from Florida State University, according to her bio on the Joy Gallery website.

"At the age of five, I received a brand new box of 48 Crayola Crayons. I have been seduced by color ever since," McDonald said. "From the neutrals and semi-neutrals, I paint almost every day and I don't try to make great work; I paint to regain the joy of the process."

The opening reception will be April 17 from 1-3 p.m., and the exhibit will hang through May 15.

The Joy Gallery is located at Homewood Cumberland Presbyterian Church at 513 Columbiana Road.