The Newburyport Art Association is hosting a mixed media exhibit July 12 to 18 by Amesbury artist Joan Gessner. Joan, who is retired, has traveled to numerous developing nations including Ethiopia, Thailand, Peru’s Amazonia and Andes, Turkey, Morocco, Burma, Laos, and the European nations of Austria and Switzerland having returned with images that she has transformed into unique and inspired works of art. Her untiring interest in other cultures, particularly children, has captured numerous major awards throughout the United States including “Best of Show” in the 1978 New Orleans World’s Fair. The States of Mississippi and Arkansas proudly display her watercolor interpretations of Civil War generals at their interstate highway welcome centers. Joan, a watercolorist for over 36 years, now devotes her time and energy to passing on this skill to other aspiring adults and children.