Once again, Calvin United Church will become an art gallery to showcase the works of local artists.

On Saturday, May 26 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the church will be hosting its second annual open fine art show and sale, which will feature works by the many talented artists from the Ottawa Valley and Pontiac County.

One of the chairwomen of the event, Heather Pearson, said last year about 27 artists brought art work which were painted on a variety of media and displayed in the church's community hall.

"A number of excellent paintings were purchased by art lovers last year, a joy for both artists and buyer," she said, stressing the church does not take a commission on the art sales.

The art show started when the Calvin Art Committee, renamed in 2011 as the Calvin Art Group, decided there should be a place for local artists to show and sell their work.

"There is not many places where local artists can display and sell their paintings in the Pembroke area, so the art committee of Calvin United Church felt this was a good service to do for the area artists," Mrs. Pearson said.

The church itself is rather unique, as on many of its walls are painted murals depicting religious scenes. More than 25 of these are on display throughout the church itself. Calvin United Church is used regularly for a lot of community events.

Proceeds from this year's show will go to the restoration and repair of Calvin's big, beautiful stained glass windows, which date back to the 1920's.

"They are a treasure to be cherished today," she said.

Admission is free to the art show and light refreshments will be served.

Stephen Uhler is a Daily Observer multimedia journalist