Instead of snowflakes, winter is ushering in a flurry of new art exhibits and opportunities in Aiken.

The Aiken Artist Guild Gallery is presenting the work of four of its members at the Aiken Center for the Arts.

Now on exhibit is the work of Ann and Bill LeMay. The husband and wife artists say that their shared passion for art is good for their marriage. "It enlivens our relationship,” the couple says, “and we often travel and paint … visit museums, love musical events and just about everything to do with art. We ask each other's opinion on a work in progress. This is a nice way of supportive feedback." The exhibit will runs through Feb. 28 and there will be an opening reception on Feb. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Award-winning artist Lindy Crandell will be exhibited at the Aiken Center for the Arts March 1-30. Crandell’s artwork seeks the beauty in nature as well as in ordinary objects in her close-up paintings. The opening reception for this show will be held on March 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. The Aiken Center for the Arts is free and open to the public.

The work of photograher John Glave was showcased earlier this winter. Glave began his photographic career as an art student in Buffalo, N.Y., before bringing his camera aboard submarines during his time in the Navy. He continues exploring new modes of image-taking as seen in this exhibit.

It might seem like an unusual place for a gallery, but the Hitchcock Healthcare Center has become a great venue for showcasing local artists. Next up will be the work of Raymond Kent, whose work explores nature and local Aiken-area landmarks through watercolor, acrylic, pastels and mixed media. The exhibit will run March 2-30. The center is located at 690 Medical Park Drive and is open weekdays from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m.

Another untraditional venue is hosting an art exhibit this winter. For the month of February, the Willcox Hotel will present an exhibit of sporting art and bronzes from the collection of Jeanne Chisholm of the Chisholm Gallery, LLC, a leading dealer of polo and sports art. Given Aiken’s fondness for all things equestrian and Chisholm’s emphasis on sporting art, expect to see some stunning depictions of horses at this exhibit. For more ideas about art exhibits and other activities in Aiken, click here.