An historic cemetery so beautiful some call it a work of art now has its own artist.

The Friends of Newton Cemetery & Arboretum have launched the Kayla Hardy Artist in Residence program in which artists can create original work inspired by Newton’s garden cemetery landscape, history and mission of remembrance and reflection. And the program’s inaugural artist will be former WBZ-TV news anchor Kasey Kaufman.

Kaufman, in addition to a long career that includes almost 25 years at WBZ-TV, is a member of the Copley Society of Art, the oldest artist guild in the United States, and she now uses paint to tell a story.

“Kasey strives for simplicity in her work, in color, composition and subject matter,” Mary Ann Buras, Newton Cemetery president, wrote in announcing the program. “She traverses between abstract and realism, still life and landscape. Her paintings are inspired by real and imagined scenes that define who she is and where she came from, growing up in both Vermont and California.”

Some of her paintings are available as fine art prints, and her work has been on display at the Art in the Village Gallery in Warren, Vt., as well as the Art Nova Gallery in Chatham, the Cadeau in Brookline, Nest in Dedham and at Elizabeth Home in Chestnut Hill.

Kaufman has also served as artist-in-residence at Towles Court Art Center in Sarasota, Fla.

The Newton artist program is named after Kayla Anne Hardy, who served as artist for the cemetery while working as an intern there.

“Kayla was a gifted photographer, graphic designer, and artist who drew energy and inspiration from the landscape at Newton Cemetery & Arboretum,” Buras continued.

The residency program will have a new artist each year, and each residency will end with an exhibition to show the cemetery through the artist’s eyes.