North Central displays 'Inner Expressions' art exhibit

"Inner Expressions," a free exhibit featuring the art of two North Central College students, runs through March 2 at the school's Meiley-Swallow Hall Gallery, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville.

The exhibit showcases paintings, drawings, ceramics and sculptures by junior Marti Rossdahl, who's majoring in student art and small business/entrepreneurship, and senior Vanessa Harrison, majoring in studio art.

"Our work reflects our evolution as young women and our self-expression of ourselves as we're growing and figuring ourselves out," Harrison says.

Rossdahl, of Bartlett, always has used art to share and express her experiences. Inspired by the dark and light elements of human nature, she seeks to emphasize the inner turmoil of mankind through her paintings, sculptures and ceramics.

"I believe we find ourselves and grow as people in our conflicts and journeys, which I intentionally express through art," she says.

Harrison, of Bolingbrook, says she focuses on "ethereal, elemental and rhythm-based themes to bring the viewer's focus to a moment of beauty or joy."

Many of the themes and subjects in her paintings and drawings are representative of the journey into womanhood. For Harrison, being comfortable in our own skin and letting go of societal expectations are part of this process.

Christine Rabenold, assistant professor of art, is faculty adviser 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.