John Bunker's Geraniums is on display at Shuptrine's Gold Leaf Designs. The exhibit features six contemporary artists who love color.

Six contemporary artists who love color will be featured in the next exhibit at Shuptrine's Gold Leaf Designs.

"Color!" opens Thursday with a "power pink punch gathering" from 5 to 7 p.m. The show assembles 17 works in the mediums of pastel, oil, acrylic and mixed.

"This group show is one of the most imaginative shows we have had, especially in terms of color and composition," said Bonny Shuptrine, owner of the gallery.

One of the artists, Bob Ichter, works on a variety of surfaces, including suede.

"The texture of suede appeals to me and captures pastel pigment in an effective way," he said. "The drawbacks are that it is utterly unforgiving, and if you make a mistake, you throw away a $140 piece of material."

Describing himself as a color-driven artist who wants "colors to tickle my eyes," Ichter is most drawn to the landscape as his subject matter. He says it has a universal appeal as most everyone loves a good landscape.

John Bunker says he has "moved through a series of color palettes" but always seems to return to brilliant colors.

"I enjoy working with unusual color combinations, which challenge me as well as the viewer," he said.

Right now, his palette is filled with plums, reds and purples, and flowers are his primary subject matter. His expressive oils are filled with energy.

Keith Harmon channels his love of color into portraying images of nightclubs, jazz musicians, urban dwellers and bustling patrons. His canvases swirl with color and movement as he captures his subjects in an abstract expressionist style.

Also exhibiting in "Color!" are Ford Smith, Karen Brown and Julie Brown.

The show continues through March.

The gallery, 2646 Broad St., is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday; and by appointment. Call 266-4453 for more information.

Email Ann Nichols at annsnichols@aol.com.