More than 25 paintings by the late Elizabeth “Betty” Christensen are on display at Newtown Municipal Center through July 31 during the center’s regular hour. A resident of Newtown for more than 60 years, Mrs Christenson died March 30, 2015, less than two weeks before her 100th birthday.

The exhibit has been curated by members of The Society of Creative Arts in Newtown (SCAN), of which Mrs Christensen was an active member. It has been facilitated by members of Walnut Tree Community Church, where Mrs Christensen was an original member.

A celebrated artist, Mrs Christensen began her career as a commercial artist. She started doing fine art after  she and her husband, the late Willard Christensen, moved to Newtown. She worked primarily in watercolors for 40 years, then painted also in oils and acrylics, and turned to pastels in her 90s. Her work has been exhibited all along the East Coast.

In an article published in 2012, artist AJ Picard noted that Mrs Christensen’s ability to work in three mediums exemplified the quality of her skills.

“Her watercolors were just impressive,” he noted as the current exhibition was being hung.

Mrs Christensen found inspiration for many of her works in Newtown’s roads, fields and buildings. Looking at some of her work, one can recognize places that look familiar but even more beautiful through Mrs Christensen’s eyes.

Ruth Newquist, a friend and fellow member of SCAN, called Mrs Christensen “a treasure. She loved everyone. Loved Newtown and she was loved back. We miss her presence so.”

Mrs Christensen attended the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Arts (now the University of the Arts). After moving to Newtown, she studied watercolors with Herb Olsen in Westport. After studying with Mr Olsen for two years, Mrs Christensen was introduced to serveral national art organizations, and began showing her art in New York City.

Mrs Christensen was a Signature Member of the American Watercolor Society in New York; an honorary member of Allied Artists, also in New York City; and a signature member of the Hudson Valley Art Association.

She was also a member of The New England Watercolor Society, Connecticut Watercolor Society, New Haven Paint & Clay Club, and Kent Art Association.

Newtown Municipal Center, at 3 Primrose Street within the Fairfield Hills campus, can be visited Monday through Friday between 7:30 am and 5 pm.