The Brown Bag Lecture at the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery on Nov. 3 will be presented by Shirley Riley of St George, Utah. She titles her presentation, “Expressions Through Poetry,” telling about her writing and her experiences. PoetShirleyRileyNov3-10-22-15

Her free, one-hour presentation begins promptly at noon. The public is cordially invited to hear Mrs. Riley and her gentle, inspiring poetry. Her appearance is sponsored by the Virgin Valley Artists Association.

Riley is a lifelong poet. She has used her well-crafted words to express her thoughts and emotions since she was a little girl. She has written stories and poems to share with family and friends. Her writings, given as Christmas gifts over the years, were a delight to all. She and her husband, Howard, operated the Riley Fruit Farm in Payson, Utah, raising five children and a granddaughter.

Riley is not a newcomer to the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery. In 2013, she and her daughter Deena Millicam, teamed up to display their artistry in the annual “Artists and Poets” exhibition.

Among her writings, Riley has created a beautiful booklet of poems entitled, “Windows,” that she dedicated to her late husband Howard. Millicam illustrated the book with her watercolors. She takes inspiration from her mother‘s words and life example, creating works of gentle beauty. Both mother and daughter honor their heritage and strong family ties.

Riley will talk about her poetry and her passion for tracing genealogy. Millican said of her mother, “Early in the morning until late at night you can find her perched at her computer doing beloved name searching or writing the next story or poems for events, celebrations, or just because she loves it.”

The Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery is located at 15 W Mesquite Blvd, Mesquite, NV. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 10a-4pm. Gallery visitors who attend the Nov. 3 Brown Bag lecture can also enjoy VVAA’s annual “Lucky 13 Small Works Exhibition” that opens Nov. 2 and runs through December. This national competition attracts fine artwork from throughout the U.S., and offers cash prizes that total $1300. Phone 702-346-1338, or see website mesquitefineartscenter.com for more information.