John W. High finds painting water soothing.

It could be a river or a stream, turbulent or calm; there is something about landscapes with moving water that High finds attractive, he said.

“I just like the outdoors and being out there painting and depicting what I see,” said High of Rocky Mount.

High’s fascination with the outdoors is evident in “Two Views,” an exhibition of paintings at the Mims Gallery at the Dunn Center for the Performing Arts, said Everett Adelman, the gallery’s curator. The free show runs through Feb. 12.

The exhibit brings together the works of two art teachers – High and John C. Gay – and their love of painting outdoor scenes, Adelman said. The show also demonstrates how people can approach similar topics in different ways.

“They are different. They are equivalent, but one is an outdoor painter and one is a studio painter and they appreciate what the differences are,” Adelman said.

People at the show probably will see some places they recognize, since many of the paintings depict local scenes, said Gay, an art teacher at Nash Central High School.

“I am just always looking around for something that catches my eye. ... A lot of times I will photograph scenes to have photographs to use as references for my paintings,” said Gay of Red Oak.

Gay has been teaching art for 29 years, and High retired after 30 years, Adelman said. He said he likes to feature local teachers whenever possible. Teachers often are under appreciated, but both men spent years honing their crafts and passing on their knowledge to future generations.

Hopefully, people will find the exhibit a calming and beautiful look the area, High said.

“It is not like I am trying to make any dramatic statements. It is just a positive, uplifting, enjoyable experience when somebody looks at one,” High said.