Strokes of Color: Artwork by Beril Cakir

Beril Cakir, a trained medical professional, uses her experiences at work to fuel her passion for art. “The act of painting started as a hobby for me, as a way to release the stress and sadness I witness daily at work.” Although her only formal art education was a class in acrylic painting at Gaston College, she has been exposed to art throughout her life growing up in Turkey and traveling widely throughout Europe. “Impressionist paintings have struck a particular chord for me, allowing me to see the exceptional color palette that surrounds me here at home in North Carolina.”

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website