Finlandia's Reflection Gallery to host group exhibit Feb. 4-Mar. 2

An illustration by Rachel Reidenga from her book Welcome to My Kingdom. Reidenga hopes that those who view her illustrations will be transported back to the world of their own childhood fantasy adventures and boundless dreams. (Photos courtesy Finlandia University)

HANCOCK -- The work of four Finlandia University International School of Art and Design students is featured at Finlandia’s Reflection Gallery Feb. 4 to Mar. 2, 2010.

An opening reception and artist talks will take place from Noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at Finlandia's Reflection Gallery, located in the Jutila Center. The reception is open to the public and all are welcome.

The group exhibit features book illustrations by Josh Jaehnig and Rachel Reidenga and photographs and paintings -- in an exhibit titled "But There is So Much to Climb!" -- by Sarah Anderson and Stephanie Trevino.

An illustration by Josh Jaehnig from his book Concerto No. 23. Jaehnig’s illustrations are partly created using a watercolor press technique -- painting on a hard surface and then pressing paper onto that surface.

Junior illustration major Josh Jaehnig is showing his illustrations for Concerto No. 23, a book about failing to appreciate the things that you have, almost to the point of not realizing they exist. Jaehnig explains that the book tells the story of a man who spends so much time practicing his own ways that he loses himself. In order to find himself again, the man must travel to the point of no return to discover everything that has been lost or missing.

Rachel Reidenga is a junior studying illustration at Finlandia. The Reflection Gallery exhibit features illustrations from her children’s book Welcome to my Kingdom, whose pages are full of colorful and playful skewed perspectives in ink and watercolor. The colorful images of the characters and landscapes in Reidenga’s book highlight the amazing ability of watercolor to create everything from the rigidity of rocks to the fluidity of water.

Reidenga describes her love for watercolor as, "a passion which resides in my ability to be precise yet spontaneous with the medium."

Senior illustration major Sarah Anderson and junior studio arts major Stephanie Trevino will show an exhibit they’ve titled, "But There is So Much to Climb!"

Photography by Stephanie Trevino, who is collaborating with senior illustration major Sarah Anderson in an exhibit titled, "But There is So Much to Climb!"

Anderson says the collaborative work is centered around a particular event, explaining that, "in our minds, events become polished and it is impossible for us to exactly re-live them. Some details are clear. Some are preserved in photographs and objects associated with the event. Some are only the memories of one person until their recollection is retold. The rest we make up a bit, we polish it, exaggerate and become nostalgic about it -- until finally, one day, that 4th of July evening, for example, becomes greater than it ever was. It becomes our very own epic tale."

In the exhibit, the women’s epic tale is retold through Anderson’s illustrations and Trevino’s photographs.

The Reflection Gallery is located on the second level of the Finlandia University Jutila Center campus. For additional information, contact Yueh-mei Cheng, associate professor of studio arts, at 906-487-7375 or yueh-mei.cheng@finlandia.edu.