Ann Roth, gallery director and adjunct art instructor, conceived of the exhibition as a way for Meredith art students to gain insight into what inspires and stimulates their teachers’ creative processes.

"I look for ways to motivate my students to look around them and assess what draws their attention, whether it is visual or conceptual, and how to interpret those influences in their artwork," Roth explained. "As a part of that, I thought I should start with what attracts my—and my colleagues’—attention, and why."

The diversity of the art department faculty’s interests is apparent in the range of subjects, media and styles of the 12 artists in the show. The quiet, moody layers of color in Graham Auman’s (Raleigh) shaped oil on resin paintings give way to the boisterous color of Darius Quarles’ (Durham) abstract acrylics; the mixed media, direct and potent social commentary of André Leon Gray’s (Raleigh) work; Margie Stewart’s (Durham) richly brushed abstract still life paintings, and the contemplative portraits done in oil by Alia El Bermani (Apex).

Roxana Perez-Mendez’s (Chapel Hill) video and hologram installations are ephemeral but address current social issues, while Christopher Sims’ (Mebane) large color photographs hit the issue of war head on. Nature works its way through the mixed media illustrations of Joan Mansfield (Greenville) and joins with everyday objects and furniture in the narrative cast-cardboard sculptures of Ruby Wescoat (Greensboro). Irony plays throughout Susan Farrar Parrish’s (Raleigh) totemic busts and Amanda Micheletta-Blouin’s (Nashville, Tenn.) fiber work. The forms of Takuro Shibata’s (Pittsboro) ceramics are tuned to the spirit of the native clay he uses.

The connections between those inviting and the artists invited are shown in wall text consisting of an artist’s statement and a brief commentary by a faculty member.

The exhibition is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday, 2 – 5 p.m. The Gaddy-Hamrick Art Center is located on the western edge of the Meredith College campus, across from the Weatherspoon Gym.