“Summer Storm” by Jon Pugliese is one of 45 pieces of his artwork that will be shown Thursday through Sunday at the Butler Art Center.

Jon Pugliese of Butler Township is fulfilling a retirement goal by having an art show Thursday through Saturday at the Butler Art Center.

Pugliese, an art teacher, retired after 21 years at the high school level in the Butler School District.

“When I retired, I set a goal to have this show,” Pugliese said. “I came down to the Art Center to take some classes and check out the space.”

His show, called “Inspired Transitions,” will have a wine and cheese reception from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday.

“I'm inspired by the Earth and the beauty of it,” Pugliese said. “This show is about how my work has changed.”

He said he is “finally” developing his own style.

“A couple summers ago, I decided to stop using paint brushes. I use my hands, rollers, spatulas. It really pushed my artwork to a whole different level,” he said.About 45 paintings, including everything from traditional realism to impressionism, landscapes, expressionism, will be featured, he said.Some of the paintings' titles are “Speaking in Tongues,” “Lucy in the Sky” and “Apple Blossom Beauty.”“I'm leaning toward doing a series of paintings of endangered animals,” Pugliese said.All the paintings are oil or acrylic, and everything is framed, he said.“I decided to give myself a year and this show after six months,” he said. “I dedicated four hours a day to painting or framing, just like a part-time job.”Apart from the reception from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, the Art Center at 344 S. Main St. is open regularly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays.Admission is free. Call 724-283-6922 or visit ButlerArtCenter.org.

“She Asian” is another painting by Jon Pugliese on display in “Inspired Transitions” at the Art Center.