HARRISBURG, Pa. – Erika Stearly brings “The Great Indoors,” an exhibit of vibrant paintings, to Fenêtre Gallery at the Midtown 2 location of HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, Friday, July 19 through Wednesday, Sept.11, 2013.

A reception will be held for the artist on July 19 from 6-8 p.m. during “3rd in the Burg.” Stearly will give talk about her work at 7 p.m.

Stearly’s highly saturated use of color is a treat for the eye. “I use images of domestic spaces as scaffolding in which to explore the materiality of paint. Depicting familiar household objects helps to orient the viewer within passages of paint where the smearing, splattering and dripping are calling attention to the inherent characteristics of my chosen material. The manifestation of the painterly mark on the flat surface plane against the illusion of depth calls attention to both traditions within painting. This balance acts as an invitation for the viewer to use their imagination to make sense of the overall painting, and find beauty in the color and texture,” said Stearly.

Stearly, a master’s of fine arts candidate at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, has an Indiana University graduate student research grant, “Properties of Encaustic Paint and Strategies for Integration with Other Materials.” She has a bachelor’s of fine arts degree from Kutztown University and attended Tyler School of Art at Temple University, Philadelphia, for a summer painting intensive. Stearly is an Editorial Assistant for The Journal of the National Art Education Association (NAEA) and served as a graduate assistant at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Fenêtre Gallery is on the second floor of HACC’s Midtown 2 at 1500 N. Third St. Entrance to the building is on Reily Street. The gallery is open Wednesdays from 4-6 p.m., the third Friday of the month from 6-8 p.m. or by appointment. Events are free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Kim Banister, gallery coordinator, at kebanist@hacc.edu or 717-780-2435.