The John Stobart Gallery will open its new encaustic painting exhibition, The Luminous Landscape, with a reception on Thursday, Sept. 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. at 31 North Summer street in Edgartown. The exhibit will hang until Sept. 30.

Landscape painting traditionally depicts scenery in a realistic presentation that sometimes minimizes the subtleties of ethereal qualities we often experience in real life. These encaustic paintings remind us that the earth holds mysteries yet to be discovered. When painting in encaustic, the melted wax fused with pigment naturally interacts with light, creating a luminosity easily perceived, particularly in a familiar setting such as the landscape.

The artists in this show have employed encaustic as a unique means for exploring the subtle and mesmerizing affinity imparted by our surroundings. The use of pigmented wax, with its vivid color and translucent properties is uniquely able to convey nature’s vastness and its mysterious allure, creating an illusion of timelessness. The combination of wax, color and texture lead to new and boundless manifestations that appear to transcend the typical dimensions of earth, space and time, and evoke feelings of inspiration.

This portrayal aims to serve as a poignant and compelling reminder of the need to preserve landscapes in the face of what the gallery calls our misguided breach of the sensitive balance between man and his environment.

For details, call the John Stobart Gallery at 508-625-9066 or see thejohnstobartgallery.com.