BEMIDJI, Minn. (January 7, 2011) — Society’s moral and social problems and the obstacles that force people’s lives to follow certain patters is the theme of “Mish Mash,” an exhibition of drawings and woodcut prints by Kentucky artist Derrick Riley, opening next week in Bemidji State University’s Talley Gallery.

Riley’s work will be on display at the University’s Talley Gallery beginning Wednesday, Jan. 12 and running through Feb. 16.

“Mish Mash” will feature a collection of drawings and large woodcut prints reflecting Riley’s view of the world. His images are sometimes humorous, but deal with serious moral and societal problems such as human nature, dependencies and self-absorption.

Riley, who makes his home in Lexington, Ky., works predominately in woodcut and has been shown in numerous national and international shows including a pair of 2010 exhibitions at the Contemporary Museum of Art in St. Louis. He was the subject of an art documentary filmed by Kentucky Educational Television in 2003-04 that earned several national and international Emmy Awards. He has taught printmaking, drawing and art professions at the University of Kentucky and was a printmaking professor at Asbury College. Riley holds a bachelor of fine arts in drawing from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and a master of fine arts in printmaking from the University of Kentucky.

Riley’s exhibition is the first of five on the gallery’s schedule for this spring.

Located in room 212 of the Education Arts building on the campus of Bemidji State University, the Talley Gallery is barrier-free and open at no charge to the public. All activities in the Talley Gallery are supported by the University’s Student Activity Fee Allocation Committee. The Talley Gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information, contact Talley Gallery Director Laura Goliaszewski at (218) 755-3708.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Jan. 12-Feb. 16 – Bemidji State University’s Talley Gallery presents an exhibit of woodcut prints and drawings, “Mish Mash.” Opening reception Wednesday, Jan. 12, noon-3 p.m.. Information and gallery hours: Laura Goliaszewski, (218) 755-3708.

ON THE WEB
• Talley Gallery: http://www.bemidjistate.edu/academics/visual_arts/galleries/gallery_talley.php (short: http://bit.ly/ll7eK)