‘awakening awareness’ first exhibition at Zahradnicek

The first art exhibition of the 2019-2020 school year at the Mildred Zahradnicek Gallery is “awakening awareness: an offering of collected insights” through Thursday, Oct. 3.

The exhibit features the metal artwork of Leah Hardy, professor of metalsmithing and foundations at the University of Wyoming. Hardy, who is Casper College’s Traut Visiting Artist in the visual arts department, has taught at UW since 2001 and established the university’s metalsmithing program in 2009.

“(My) newest work has been focused on insect-inspired forms,” said Hardy. According to Hardy, those forms become “… metaphors for the present human condition and also serve as an ethical inquiry into the scientific ability to genetically modify our food, alter our bodies, and prolong life. Fragmented, altered with mechanical elements or recontextualized, these life forms are narratively presented to reference our fascination with mortality and desire with the underlying yearning to connect and communicate. The intended effect is for the pieces to be specimens — beautiful, yet at times, disturbing,” she noted.

In addition to the exhibition of her intricate works, Hardy will give an artist’s talk Wednesday, Oct. 2, at noon in Room 102 and a workshop Oct. 3 from 9 a.m.-noon both in the Goodstein Visual Arts Center. Both the exhibition, artist’s talk, and workshop are free and open to the public, but those wanting to attend the workshop need to RSVP by calling Valerie Innella Maiers at 307-268-2060.

The Mildred Zahradnicek Gallery is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday in the Music Building. Both the Goodstein Visual Arts Center and the Music Building are located on the Casper College campus.