The city of Snellville will feature John Duke in its first City Hall art exhibit, which begins June 5 in the Community Room.

Duke is a painter who uses various mediums, with his favorite being watercolors. Duke works out of Snellville's Cobble Creek studios, where he also helps set up art shows.

Read more about John Duke in a Snellville Patch feature story. Click here.

“This exhibit of John Duke's works of art is just the beginning,” Mayor Kelly Kautz said in a press release. "We have several professional artisans, talented hobbyists and young students scheduled to exhibit their works during the summer and fall."

The exhibit is part of the city's "Art on the Wall at City Hall" program, which began in 2009, but did not gain momentum until recently under the leadership of Kautz.

With the creation of the Snellville Art Juror Committee this past winter, works of art are now considered for the city's public art program. According to a press release, the purpose of "Art on the Wall at City Hall" is to make the city's main government facility "a destination location and to promote the talents of local artists."

"It is an exciting time for the arts in Snellville," the mayor added in the press release.

The public is invited to the exhibit beginning June 5, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. A grand opening reception where Duke will attend is being held 7 p.m. on June 4.

Artists and groups interested in having a showing of their work at City Hall are encouraged to contact the Snellville Art Jurors. Look on the www.snellville.org for an application and rules.