The artwork of Joseph Fuchs, a former Menlo-Atherton High School English teacher, are on display through Jan. 5 at Cafe Zoe in Menlo Park, with a reception set for Saturday, Dec. 7.

The reception is from 1 to 3 p.m. at the cafe, located at 1929 Menalto Ave., in the Willows neighborhood.

Mr. Fuchs is exhibiting more than 20 recent oil paintings of Venetian and Tuscan scenes. At the reception, he will offer for sale a series of completed pen and graphite sketches on Fabriano paper.

An M-A teacher from 1970 to 2003, Mr. Fuchs is now retired and painting full time. He focuses largely on themes of the Commedia dell'Arte, including the masked, playful Pulcinella.

His work also highlights scenes of Venice, where he lived for six months, "an experience that softened and extended the values of his palette," according to a statement on his website, artworkofvenice.com.

Cafe hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.