Acrylic painter Erika Hoffe will have her work on display at The Rellik Tavern through October. (Photo by Nick Sestanovich)

Those who step into The Rellik Tavern will be greeted by the unique paintings of Erika Hoffe. The Benicia-based artist will have her work on display as part of the “Arts Benicia Presents” series through October.

Hoffe specializes in acrylic paintings, heavily utilizing black and white amidst colorful backdrops amidst human figures of varying proportions, some even bordering on abstract. Some of Hoffe’s paintings even have humorous elements to them. One painting, “Waiting for the 17J,” depicts a woman sitting down with an animal on her lap. Is it a cat? No. A dog? No, it is actually a squirrel monkey.

“Art advances communication by introducing expressions that don’t find their way into words,” Hoffe said in a statement. “Through painting I express nonverbal conceptions.Ultimately I would hope to add something beautiful and gently provocative to a visual discourse. These are my quiet statements in a noisy world.”

Hoffe’s paintings can be viewed any time during the tavern’s operating hours. There will also be a special poetry event sponsored by Benicia Literary Arts that combines Hoffe’s eye-catching images with the words of Benicia’s vibrant poetry community, as Benicia’s poets will be reciting poems they have written in response to Hoffe’s artwork. The featured poets are Tom Stanton, Gina Guzzo, John Hamling, Mary Eichbauer, Peter Bray, former Benicia Poet Laureate Lois Requist and current Poet Laureate Johanna Ely. This event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday, July 23 at The Rellik Tavern and is open to the public.

Hoffe will be hosting an opening reception at the Rellik from 6 to 9 p.m., Thursday, July 13. Hoffe’s paintings will be on display through Monday, Oct. 2. The Rellik is located at 726 First St. and is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays; 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays and 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Mondays.

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