THE WEATHER may be turning gray and cold outside, but inside the Artists' Gallery it is springtime. This month's exhibit, The Colors of Spring: Flowers of Hawaii, features the photography of Owen Brown resident Jerry Weinstein.

The exhibit includes more than a dozen photographs of many of Hawaii's unusual and brightly colored flowers.

Weinstein took the photos last spring on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii. The idea for the exhibit came from a quilt that his wife, Etarae, made with the photographs printed on fabric. The quilt is on display alongside the photos.

Jerry Weinstein, 60, has been a professional photographer for five years, since retiring as an economist with the federal government. He said he has had a passion for photography for more than 30 years, and he specializes in nature photography.

"I like to find the ordinary kinds of things that we might not notice," he said of his close-ups of flowers. "I like to see the color and texture and pattern. It's fun to find things that may be too small and ordinary for most people to see. Wildflowers can be weeds depending on whose yard you are in."

Photography also keeps Weinstein in the moment, he said.

"A lot of work in economics is looking at the future and thinking about where things are going," he said. "Photography captures a moment, then you wonder what it will look like back in the darkroom."

Etarae Weinstein has been quilting for 10 years. This is the couple's first collaborative effort.

"I've always known how to sew, and a friend got me started in a quilting group," she said. "I've seen pictures in books of quilts with beautiful photos. So, I thought I would make one with Jerry's photos."

The quilt took about eight months to finish, she said.

"The way we choose vacations now is different than the way we used to," Etarae said. "We go where he can get good pictures."

But that does not shorten their list of choices.

"I can find interesting things everywhere," Jerry said. The couple's adventures include France, Alaska and Aruba.

Jerry Weinstein has been a member of the Artists' Gallery for two years.

"It's an interesting group of people," he said. "A variety of media is represented, and it is all quite good. The quality of their work puts pressure on me to do good work."

Weinstein says he especially enjoys nature.

"There is something about walking through a garden or the woods that is peaceful and relaxing," he said. And, those feeling are invoked in his work.

"People say my work makes them feel serene and peaceful," he said. "That's what I'm trying to achieve."

The Artists' Gallery is in the American City Building, 10227 Wincopin Circle. The exhibit will run through Jan. 3. Admission is free. A reception will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 13.

Information: 410-740-8249.

Original gifts

In this season of gift-giving, it is also time for Singular Sensations, Columbia Art Center's annual fine arts and crafts show. The holiday exhibition will showcase a variety of mediums, including pottery, stained glass, photography and jewelry. The show will begin Thursday and will run through Dec. 15. An opening reception will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday.

East Columbia residents participating in the show include Winnie Coggins, Sue Nicholson, Nancy Pollack, Jerry Gettleman, Jing-Jy Chen, Denee Barr and Fran Hands. Admission is free. All pieces will be sold for $150 and less. The Columbia Art Center is at 6100 Foreland Garth.

Information 410-730-0075.

Santa is in town

Children can give Santa their wish list Dec. 14, when he will have breakfast at The Other Barn in Oakland Mills Village Center. After breakfast with Santa at 9:30 a.m., children will make a holiday craft.

The cost is $2 for lien payers and $3 for others, plus the donation of a canned good.

Information: 410-730-4610 or 301-596-5237.

Volunteers needed

Many volunteer opportunities are available at the east Columbia library.

Library grandparents are needed to read to young children. Project Literacy, a Howard County Public Library program, needs tutors to work one-to-one with clients ranging in ability from beginners to those working toward a high school diploma. Tutors prepare lesson plans, using resources provided by the Project Literacy program.

Volunteers also are needed to take information and materials to residents who are confined to their homes. Administrative volunteers are needed to help with sorting, shelving, and processing books, checking in magazines and general office duties.

Volunteers are needed at each of the six branches.

Information: Elaine Lawrence at 410-313-7881, or lawrence@ hclibrary.org. Applications are available at www.hclibrary.org.