Paint the Peninsula, a celebration of art and nature across Clallam County, has a special reception showcasing paintings of Olympic National Park today, Aug. 23.

Admission is free to this public event from 6-8 p.m. at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, 1203 E. Lauridsen Blvd.

Paint the Peninsula, underway throughout this week, has brought 22 artists from the United States and Canada to Sequim, Port Angeles and environs. These painters are spending their days working with pastels, oils and watercolors on location in Dungeness Valley farm fields and forests and on local beaches and mountainsides.

Tuesday, Aug. 22, was their day to paint anywhere in Olympic National Park: at Lake Crescent, around Hurricane Ridge and on the wilderness coast.

The fruits of the day will be on display at the fine arts center from 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. today. During this evening’s reception, prizes — the Superintendent’s Award and the Interpretation Ranger’s Award — will be presented.

Those prizes total $1,000, part of $12,000 in cash awards given during Paint the Peninsula this year.

All of the fresh paintings — some 150 by the end of this week — will be on display and available for purchase at the center.

The center is open today through Friday from 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Information about many other activities, including the Paint Out on Port Angeles’ City Pier from 1-4 p.m. Friday, and the awards party and reception at the center at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, can be found at www.PaintthePeninsula.org. The center can be reached at 360-457-3532.