The dramatic charcoal drawings of Marietta artist Linda Mylin Ross will be displayed at an inaugural exhibit at the Lancaster Campus of HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College. The exhibit, Emilie's Garden, begins Tuesday, October 3 and continues until Saturday, November 11 in the East Building, room 203 at HACC's Lancaster Campus, 1641 Old Philadelphia Pike in Lancaster. An artist's reception is scheduled for Wednesday, October 11 from 6pm to 7:30pm. The public is invited.

"We have this wonderful space at our campus that can serve as an excellent venue for local artists," said Judith Johnson, coordinator of the exhibit and humanities instructor at the Lancaster Campus. "Beginning with the works of Linda Mylin Ross, we are establishing a place to continue showcasing the artistry of residents in the greater Lancaster area. We invite and welcome the public to stop by and take a look at the amazing talent we have right here in our backyard."

Artists' discussions, lectures and other presentations are also part of the new exhibit series.

The subject of Emilie's Garden is of a friend's garden seen one day in early March. The artist is interested in the enigmatic quality of these isolated forms, stripped of their lush setting, and seen in the raking 6pm light of early spring. In this context, the garden is not so much a landscape but rather, a collection of theatrically lit still life. The garden's character is much different by midsummer. The site is a verdant tangle of color and texture with the owner's unusual collection of statuary, ornaments and assorted oddities adding charming touches here and there.

The theme of this work is a departure from Ross's more political art, which focuses on environmental threats. Yet, her interest in rendering dramatic light and shadow can also be seen in these latest drawings.

Ross' work has won awards in a number of local, state and national juried shows including the Art of the State at the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, Images 2004 at the Paul Robeson Center in University Park and competitions at the Woodmere Art Museum in Philadelphia, the Reading Museum and Doshi Gallery in Harrisburg.

She has exhibited at Lebanon Valley College and Elizabethtown College. Solo exhibitions include shows at Penn State Harrisburg, Elizabethtown College, Pennsylvania College of Technology and the Demuth Museum.

A Marietta resident, Ross is an assistant professor of humanities and education at Penn State Harrisburg where she has taught art history, art education and studio art courses for more than 20 years. She holds a master's degree in fine art from Maryland Institute College of Art and a master's degree in art from Penn State.

Hours for the exhibit are Monday through Thursday noon to 3pm and 5:30pm to 7pm. Friday hours are noon to 3pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday. For more information, please contact Cindy Rose at the Lancaster Campus, 717-358-2841 or send an email at the address below.