Art inspired by yoga, meditation and the ideals of Buddhism will now grace the walls of View Gallery inside Bainbridge Yoga House, enhancing the serenity and peace of the space and showcasing the work of local artists.

“Our vision is to exhibit works depicting the ideals of yoga and Buddhism, to promote the practice of peace and equanimity through creativity [and] to engage in community art,” said Kristy Tonti, a yoga instructor and artist whose works are featured in the gallery’s inaugural show this month.

The first show officially begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 26, with a reception featuring refreshments and poetry readings.

The poems, written by David Stallings, are half of one such community art project, Tonti said. Stallings and she often inspire and are inspired by each other’s work — his poems and her paintings.

“The poem ‘in the cove’ is a response to the painting ‘ghosts,’” she explained. “The moon paintings are a response to the conversation between David Stallings and Han-shan.”

Stallings said that their artistic relationship has been a working one for some time, and has yielded surprising results for both of them.

“Over the years, a dialog has evolved between Kristy’s art and my poetry,” he explained. “She will live with one of my poems, some of which are my end of an ongoing conversation with Han-shan, a 9th century Chinese hermit poet, and eventually out may come an artistic wander that adds Kristy’s voice to the conversation.

“At other times I will hang one of her paintings in my home, preferring to not know the history or name of the piece,” he said. “I often study the painting just before sleep. What can emerge is a poem that takes my meeting of the painting as its point of origin, then journeys on.”

Tonti said that she hopes to organize at least four different exhibitions in the gallery’s first year, and even more in its second. She wants the gallery to become a place for island artists to showcase work inspired through meditation and relaxation, as well as a meeting place for further artistic collaborations.

Bainbridge Yoga House is located at 7861 NE Day Road, Suite 214.

For more information, visit www.bainbridgeyogahouse.com.