North Carolina artist Jaquelin Perry is the featured artist in Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s 30th Annual Art Show and Sale.

Perry, a professional painter best known for her paintings of flowers, marshes and beach landscapes, says she is honored to take center stage at this year’s art show.

The show, which runs Jan. 23-31, usually raises about $50,000 for the school, said Karen Schompert, director of communications at NSA. All proceeds from the 10-day show are earmarked for arts programs, including chorus, marching band, visual arts and art technology.

“It’s great to be part of this,” said Perry. The Colerain, N.C., resident, during a luncheon at the school Tuesday, said she draws inspiration from her garden, which includes zinnias, hydrangeas and sunflowers, and North Carolina’s beaches and waterways.

“I love painting outdoors, particularly in the morning light,” said Perry. Although she uses photographs to finish and refine her art, she prefers painting her subjects in person.

Perry will be bringing roughly 40 canvases to the show and sale, ranging in price from $300 to $2,500. Depending upon size, Perry says she spends anywhere from four hours to two days on each painting.

Kenda Council, director of development, said the organizers selected Perry — a longtime artist in the show — as featured artist because of her sales track record and popularity.

“There was a lot of buzz about her art,” Council said.

Co-chairs, Fraser Kelly and Denson House said Perry’s paintings have a distinctive, rich use of color.

More than 180 artists will participate in the fundraiser, which is expected to draw crowds of more than 2,000 people, Council said. The artwork will be scattered around the lobby and hallways of the Lower School, giving students opportunities to view it throughout the show, Kelly said.

More than 175 artists will show a variety work at this year’s show and sale, from paintings to multimedia.

The show’s hors are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 23; 1-4 p.m. Jan. 24; 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., Jan. 25-29; 9 a.m.-noon Jan. 27; 10 a.m. -4 p.m. Jan. 30; and 1-4 p.m. Jan. 31.