Students present sculpture, ceramics, paintings, drawings through Feb. 2 in campus gallery

North Central College presents a student art exhibit, featuring the work of junior Nick Hayes and senior Lauren Wohlrab, who are majoring in studio art and in interactive media studies with a focus on graphic arts.

Titled “Menagerie,” their exhibit will showcase sculpture, ceramics, paintings and drawings that capture the essence and beauty of exotic animals. The free exhibit is open to the public and on display through Feb. 2 in the College’s Meiley-Swallow Hall Gallery, 31 S. Ellsworth St. Meet the artists during a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, in the gallery. Light refreshments will be served.

Hayes, of Lemont, looks to nature and its inhabitants for his inspiration. The primary focus of his paintings, ceramics and sculptures in “Menagerie” is the animals that inspire him to create. No matter the medium, he uses art as an outlet that allows him to forget the busy nature of modern-day living. “My art serves as a gateway to the world as I see it and, therefore, a connection is created,” he says. “The intent of my artwork is to try and replicate the release I feel as an artist.”

Wohlrab, of Naperville, will exhibit paintings and drawings. Her art is driven by her experiences, dreams, styles and moods. She finds inspiration in her desire to challenge herself and convey to her viewers what drives her. With experience in many mediums, she says her work can be described as “a rest from the formal traditional art style, which finds its application in simple, clean fabrications from my unrestrained fancy and draws deep interest at simpler levels.”

Christine Rabenold, assistant professor of art, is faculty advisor for the exhibit. For more information about the exhibit or gallery hours, contact Rabenold at 630-637-5543 or cmrabenold@noctrl.edu.

Art students at North Central College learn traditional and contemporary media; engage in analytical, critical and abstract thinking; and learn to communicate ideas visually. Students attend gallery and museum openings and exhibits in Naperville and Chicago, meet visiting artists, enter juried exhibitions and gain an academic foundation for graduate study in studio art, art education, art history, art therapy, arts administration, art criticism and visual communications. Visit northcentralcollege.edu/majors/art to learn more about North Central’s art program.