MONTPELIER - The Vermont Arts Council's Spotlight Gallery is currently hosting "KIMONO", a series of new works by Montpelier artist Frank Woods. The show can be seen through March 31.

KIMONO is an exhibit that captures the Japanese cultural icon in a variety of media. Woods uses the kimono's outline as a vehicle through which he pursues his interest in abstraction and in surface design. In mixed media works on paper, and in paintings in oil on panel and canvas, Woods uses the familiar T-shape of the kimono as a template to provide structure as well as continuity from one piece to the next.

"In most of these pieces the viewer will find that what occurs in the space outside the kimono's outline is as important as what takes place within it," said the artist. "Of course, neither space exists without the other. Using this form as inspiration opens the way for the artist to explore the possibilities offered by fabric and the construction of wearable kimono."

Woods has shown his work widely in Central Vermont and in the Burlington area. His paintings are held in private collections in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Boston, New York, the Washington, DC area, and London. He is represented by the Furchgott Sourdiffe Gallery in Shelburne, VT and the Lazy Pear Gallery of Montpelier. www.frankwoodsartist.com

The Spotlight Gallery is located in the Vermont Arts Council offices at 136 State Street in Montpelier and is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30 p.m.