By MARY LYNNE O'NEAL

Staff Writer

Tech's Visual Arts Center galleries are displaying artwork from two nationally recognized artists until Feb. 10.

"Because we have two separate galleries, we are able to show a great variety of work to our students and the community," Dean Dablow, director of the School of Art and a professor of art, said.

Rhonda Schaller, an artist from New York City, displays her exhibit, titled "The Darkness and Light Project," in the Tech Art Gallery, and Andrew Decaen, an artist from Florida, displays his exhibit, titled "Habits of Nutrition," in the E.J. Bellocq Gallery.

Many of Schaller's paintings may look similar but all have different colors or textures to convey different meanings.

"Ms. Schaller practices meditation and in her work can be seen the influence of this philosophy of life," Dablow said. "Abstract oval shapes are threaded together in a repeated common theme, imagery that would come from a meditative state of mind."

Decaen's artwork contains different drawings and perspectives of items such as gallons of milk, plates, cups and silverware.

Dablow says that Decaen's work uses objects more recognizable, but takes them to another level with an interesting twist.

"There is little value in the ability to faithfully represent actual objects or what we call 'realism,'" Dablow said. "Decaen depicts the rituals of daily life in capsules, comparisons, or small fascinations with everyday objects we usually don't think of."

One piece in particular shows two gallons of milk distinctly faded in the back ground, with the bold centerpiece of the portrait being the safety seal for the cap.

For the opening reception last Tuesday, the artists made an appearance and informally lectured the students about their work.

Mary Louise Carter, gallery director and assistant professor of art, said meeting the artists and exploring their work on exhibit was a great learning experience for the students.

"It was an opportunity for our students to talk with the artists, and gain a greater understanding of what motivates their art work," Carter said.

Carter says Decaen also stayed to observe and critique the work of advanced printmaking students, offering the students a great learning experience.

Asa West, a sophomore graphic design major, said she enjoyed looking through the galleries.

"Decaen's use of realism for his subject matter was amazing," West said.

"I also thought Schaller's use of value and contrast in color was dynamic, and her talent really shows through her design with overlapping and other principles."

Both galleries are open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is free for everyone.