The spotlight on local talent will kick off a busy summer season at the Springfield Museum of Art.

The 68th annual Juried Members’ Exhibition will feature more than 130 works in a variety of media when it debuts Saturday with an opening reception at 5:30 p.m.

The focus of this exhibition is the diversity of local artists, said Springfield Museum of Art Executive Director Ann Fortescue.

“You may be surprised at who is an artist — it can be your neighbors, your coworkers, people you may not expect.”

There will be 131 pieces displayed out of 200 submissions, the most in Fortescue’s three years here. They will compete in six categories in two divisions, amateur and pro.

Eva Buttacovoli, director of the Dayton Visual Arts Center, is the guest juror. Awards will be given at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Works will include paintings of watercolor, acrylic and oil; sculptures, including 3-D designs; textiles; clay; woodworks; metal pieces; functional wood; and mixed media, including two or more different forms together.

They are all original works and can’t have been exhibited previously at the museum.

Artists range from teens to seniors age 80 and possibly beyond. They come from as far as Kentucky, and most are from this area.

Fortescue said some of the works will be for sale. “This is one of the best, most affordable ways to get local art and to support your local artists. People will be surprised at the quality and creativity these artists have expressed.”

Admission to the opening costs $5 for nonmembers and no cost for museum members. The Juried Members’ Exhibition will be available during regular museum hours through Aug. 10.

It’s the first of several activities at the museum this summer.

Wonder Women, the Project Jericho photo project, will be on display through Sunday, June 8.

The College for Kids series of summer enrichment classes for preschool through eighth-grade students in art, technology and science will be presented June 9 through July 18 in partnership with Clark State.

A new feature, the Chakeres Interactive Art Lab, will debut later this month, as will a new exhibit of portraits by area artist Eunice Bronkar, beginning June 28.

June 12 will be the opening of Accessible Expressions Ohio, a statewide exhibition of artwork created by Ohioans of all ages with disabilities. Sponsored by the Springfield Arts Council to coincide with the Summer Arts Festival, it will be open through July 20.

The museum will also host the Arts Council’s Summer Sundaes series beginning June 15. This afternoon series will be four consecutive Sunday afternoons and features a variety of live entertainment.