The Crary Art Gallery will host two solo exhibitions opening Saturday featuring Terri Yacovelli and Mia Cinelli.

Yacovelli found relief in art during the pandemic when she began mixing color swatches as a meditative practice. This practice evolved to explore the interplay of warm and cool tones as well as saturated colors against muted backgrounds. Yacovelli’s work is grounded in her fascination with the emotional impact of color, which she sees as a powerful communication tool.

Yacovelli earned her Masters of Liberal Arts degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Md., and a Bachelor of Science in Art Education from Millersville University of Pennsylvania. She is a former studio art teacher and adjunct professor of art. She is an R&F Encaustic Certified Instructor, and a member of the International Encaustic Artists. Yacovelli teaches encaustic workshops and creates her work in her home studio in central Pennsylvania.

Cinelli is a multidisciplinary artist, designer, and educator. She is fascinated by language, longing, history, gesture, and corporeality. Her work explores the many ways visual communication and human-centered design can engender meaningful interactions and discussions.

Cinelli completed her BFA in Graphic Communication from Northern Michigan University before earning her MFA in Art and Design at the University of Michigan’s Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design. She is an associate professor of art studio and digital design at the University of Kentucky.

An opening reception begins at 5 p.m. Saturday at the gallery with artist talks starting at 6 p.m. Throughout the exhibition, the Crary Art Gallery is open to visitors on Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. The exhibition of Yacovelli’s and Cinelli’s work continues through May 4. Admission is free.