Mary Lou Gifford will be April’s featured artist at the Blue Foot Cafe, at 379 Main Street.

Gifford is an artist devoted to “photography, acrylic painting and spiritual care of others,” among other types of art, she said. Her artistic expression began with fabric art, knititng and crocheting, and expanded ten years ago into photography.

“I was inspired by Christine Valters Paintner’s book, “Eyes of the Heart,” through which she saw photography as a Christian contemplative practice,” Gifford said. “As an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, I was moved by her invitation to begin to “see” rather than just “look.””

Gifford has entered several photography shows and won several third-place ribbons, and has been on the cover of by Photographer’s Edge.

The Blue Foot Cafe, owned by Katie Gallagher, features a different local artist each month. Artists interested in displaying their work should contact Kate Furler at gramykrf@gmail.com.