FARMINGTON – Heirlooms of Tomorrow has announced the return of Carole Rickards as Artist of the Month for April. The public is invited to attend an open house reception from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 4, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 5. Refreshments will be served.

Rickards has been attending school, teaching and experimenting with new techniques. She recently earned an associate degree in liberal studies and is continuing toward her bachelor degree.

Her continuing education has allowed her to take college painting classes with Pat Chandler, who has opened a new world of expression. Rickards’ love continues to be realistic nature scenes with birds and barns; however, she is experimenting with abstract design and sculptural paintings with pigmented sand.

She is also learning by teaching. In addition to her private art classes, Rickards substitute teaches art at Mountain Valley High School in Rumford in the classroom in which she had art classes as a high school student and where she decided to pursue a career in art.

In addition to having shown at Heirlooms, Rickards has shown at the Penacook Art Center; Central Maine Medical Center, Eastern Maine Medical Center, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, Stephens Memorial Hospital, the Rumford Library, Farmington Art in the Park, the Portland Sidewalk Art Show and community events in South Portland, Winthrop, Bethel and Cape Elizabeth.

Heirlooms of Tomorrow is located at 710 Wilton Road. Hours are Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.