Olympia painter Ravenna Beck will open her exhibition at Harlequin Productions with an Artist Reception on Thursday, Aug. 20, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the State Theater Lobby in downtown Olympia. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome.

Beck's work hangs alongside Harlequin's upcoming production of Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park," which opens the following night, Friday, Aug. 21, and runs through Sept. 6. The reception gives the public a chance to meet Beck and see her paintings before opening night crowds arrive.

Beck works primarily in oil, acrylic and mixed media, producing what she describes as contemporary impressionistic and semi-abstract pieces. Her subjects are figures, landscapes and humble objects rendered in expressive color and layered surfaces.

"I prefer the surfaces of my paintings to look like they've got a checkered past," Beck wrote in her artist statement on Harlequin's website. "Each piece begins with several layers of paint, creating unique scars and baggage that ultimately make for a more interesting final outcome."

Her reference photos come from ordinary moments. She frequently photographs herself to work through figure poses before painting.

Beyond the studio, Beck wears several hats: meditation teacher, recovery advocate, government bureaucrat and parent. She has exhibited throughout the Pacific Northwest and is a recipient of an Olympia ArtSpace Alliance Space Grant, a $500 award funded through the Washington State Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts that helps Thurston County artists cover essential space-related expenses like studio rent and rehearsal space.

"Barefoot in the Park" is a co-production between Harlequin and Seattle's Taproot Theatre Company, directed by Karen Lund, producing artistic director of Taproot, with Harlequin producing artistic director Aaron Lamb as associate director. The classic comedy runs two hours and 15 minutes and is rated PG. Tickets range from $35 for students and youth to $49 general admission. Rush tickets are $24.50 general and $5 for patrons under 20.

The production is part of Harlequin's 35th season, themed "Home/Land."

Beck's paintings will remain on display in the State Theater Lobby through the show's closing night on Sept. 6.