Two upcoming exhibits at Cannon Beach Gallery are weaving together interpretations of color, light and shape.

“Lost in Blue,” an art collection that explores depths and variations of the color blue, will be up from Feb. 7 to March 16. After that, “Paper Poems,” a collaboration between three artists, including local collage maker Rex Amos, will be at the gallery from March 21 to April 27.

The Cannon Beach Arts Association, which owns the gallery, cast a wide net for “Blue” submissions, which generated a diverse mixture of contributing artists and mediums, according to gallery director Summer Peterson.

About 300 entries were sent in, but that number was whittled down to 70. Peterson said it was hard to narrow the selection, but in doing so she wanted to be sure artists from near and far were represented.

“We wanted it to get a whole bunch of people with different styles so we can see the color blue through various lenses,” she said.

Acrylic and oil paintings, along with sculpture, digital art and photography are the many media included in the exhibit, each with shades of blue and other cool tones.

Pam Van Londen’s “Forest VIII” oil painting shows a forest silhouette using vivid blues, greens and purples, while Allison McClay’s acrylic work depicts a river scene. She brings the water to life by mixing different blue tones to give texture and layers.

“The inspiration came from being so close to the ocean,” Peterson said. “I thought it would be interesting to challenge the artists to highlight the color blue and infuse that into their paintings.”

“Paper Poems” was born from Amos’ desire to weave poetry into his collage pieces, according to Peterson. For the exhibit, Amos worked alongside fellow collage maker Matthew Palmgren and light artist James Moyer to create a show using paper to evoke poetic meaning in their pieces.

Amos, who lives in Cannon Beach, is “known for his collage work and has been active for a really long time,” Peterson said.

Palmgren, a mixed media artist, grew up in the Pacific Northwest and eventually settled in Astoria, where he is now the assistant curator at the Columbia Maritime Museum.

Moyer finds driftwood, cleans it up and fixes an end on it to create functional table lamps.

“The shapes he makes with the lights are really organic shapes, like waves and flowers,” Peterson said.

Each of the artists used their skills in tandem to create the exhibit.

Both exhibits will kick off with receptions. They’re open to the public, Peterson said, and are a chance for viewers to meet the artists and discuss their work.

“Lost in Blue” will have its reception on Feb. 7, and “Paper Poems” will open on March 21. Both events are at the Cannon Beach Gallery on Hemlock Street.