Melissa Estremera of Bryn Mawr College shows an appreciation for abstract organic forms, as she contrasts natural shapes with industrious materials. The majority of her sculptures are created in laminated plywood that emphasizes the natural beauty of the medium. Her bronze work reflects an interest in botanical images in a series of relief plates displayed on steel rebar rods.

Rebecca Garrison says that when she paints, the medium becomes“an extension of myself.” She calls color her biggest creative inspiration, and channels her emotions through“the materiality of oil paint and its ability to transform into a seemingly endless amount of textures.”

The oil paintings and prints of Margaret Livingston focus on self-portraiture as a means of coming to know the self, through the impermanent experience of the physical body and the inevitable inexactness of representation. She adds,“I prefer to work with the human form, which is why I like using silhouettes of yoga poses as well as self portraits. Yoga has been influential in my life. It has helped me realize who I am and grow as a person. It provides ample subject matter for me, as it is something so personal and important.”

Emma Lo uses a variety of media, including collage, to tell stories of those who make their homes on the street.“Collage furthers my exploration of these people because each item and scrap specifically signifies the person it helps depict,” she says.“This work is not about the homeless condition, but about the human condition.”

Bryn Mawr senior Jeanette Neuner has used etchings, paintings and ink drawings to investigate the ways we view and appreciate organic forms, especially topography. Her works portray the many ways topographic forms can both create and extract space and define shape and form.

Caitlin Nightingale explores the idea of memory:“Through etchings, re-appropriated photographs, and text, I have given memories from my childhood physical representation.” For example, the house in which she grew up finds representation through tiled etchings, and in her photographs, she has cropped parts of the images and layered them with vellum and text in order to draw the viewer's attention to the important parts of the image.

Sean Roland's photography visually explores trade work. The pictures were taken in a bakery, brewery, foundry and glass-blowing workshop.“In order to venerate trade work to myself and others,” he says,“in these photographs I attempt to show the actual movements, actions, skill and precision necessary to do a job well.”

Elvis Rosado's photographs, shot with a 4 x 5 film view camera, focus on sculpture in the Philadelphia area. He uses three printing styles: conventional silver gelatin, salt paper, and gum bichromate.

There will be an opening reception on Friday, May 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the gallery.

Gallery hours: Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wed. until 8 p.m., and Sat./Sun. 12 noon to 5 p.m.