Some people take a cursory look at a painting, sculpture or other art work and quickly label it "trash."

A new art exhibit at 91短视频 is literally that.

But look again. The artist, , calls her mixed media work "transformed trash." All pieces in her display that opens Monday, Mar. 14, were fashioned entirely from manufactured products that have been cast off. The result is a body of highly textural sculptural objects that look, from a distance, like mineral formations, but upon closer inspection reveal hidden identities.

"Valentinite with cellophane cleavage"

Each piece in the series includes crushed, broken, cut, torn, dissected or otherwise altered commonplace materials reassembled in unexpected yet deeply familiar ways.

Gusler is an assistant professor of art at 91短视频, where she teaches courses in painting, drawing, three-dimensional design and printmaking.

She is a 1993 graduate of 91短视频 and earned a master of fine arts degree from James Madison University.

"I collect observations made in the natural world, information about minerals and gemstones and interesting trash," Gusler said. "The next, more challenging step, is the assimilation of these three components into a coherent and aesthetically compelling whole. For guidance, I return to uncut, unpolished gemstones as well as my gleaned and intuitive understanding of art."

"Artinite with silky luster"

A reception for the artist will be held 7-8:30 p.m. Mar. 14 in the .

The exhibit will open for viewing daily during regular library hours through Apr. 1. Admission to the gallery is free.

The first art exhibit of the fall semester will feature recent ceramics by Gregg Luginbuhl from Bluffton (OH) University.

Luginbuhl is professor of art and chair of the art department at Bluffton, where he teaches ceramics, sculpture, 3-D design and photography.

The exhibit will open Sunday, Sept. 5, with a reception for the artist 2:30-4 p.m. in the gallery on third floor of 91短视频’s .

The mix of sculptural forms to be displayed embraces a variety of approaches to the ceramic process: raku fired wall sculpture and free-standing forms, soda fired stoneware and porcelain vessels and cone 10 fired functional porcelain and stoneware.

Included in the show are wall plate sculptures which begin from a low wheel-thrown plate. Evolving from the energy of the potters’ whorl, clay slabs, textural stampings, coils, lattice, and graphic elements are added to the rim of the plates to create an ephemeral combination of form, color, texture, and movement. The titles of these works "are intended to evoke a variety of poetic associations and questions," Luginbuhl said.

Detail from "Farm Bureau," polychrome earthenware Photo Credit: Jerry Anthony

At 7 p.m. that day, Luginbuhl will give the C. Henry Smith Peace Lecture, "Mennonite College and University Artists Depict Peace," in room 123 of the seminary building at 91短视频. The illustrated presentation explores the art and thought of 15 artists and their vision of peace and peacemaking.

The 80 art works included in the presentation are from Bethel College, N. Newton, Kan.; Bluffton University; Goshen College, Goshen, Ind.; and 91短视频. Artists from 91短视频 include and former instructor Scott Jost.

"My study seeks to discover how peace church theology is reflected in the work of Mennonite faculty artists and if they are, in any sense, spokespersons for peace through the process and products of their art activities," Luginbuhl stated.

The 45-minute Power Point lecture will give opportunity for audience questions. Admission to the program is free.

The annual C. Henry Smith Peace Lecture is named for the late C. Henry Smith, a prominent educator and pioneer in the comprehensive study and recorded history of Mennonites in America. Dr. Smith was dean at Goshen (IN) College, 1908-1913, then served at Bluffton as head of the history department from 1914 until his retirement in 1946.

Luginbuhl earned a B.A. degree from Bluffton and an MFA degree from the University of Montana. He has exhibited pottery and ceramic sculpture in regional and national exhibitions, receiving many awards for his work. An installation of eight ceramic plates with modeled imagery, "The Creation Series," and two bronze sculptures, "Jonah and the Whale" and "The Last First Draft," are permanently displayed on the Bluffton University campus.

Luginbuhl’s exhibit at 91短视频 will be open for viewing daily during regular library hours through Oct. 1 free of charge.