September 20, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, please contact:
Barbara Hollander, SAMA-Altoona Coordinator

(814) 946-4464

Travis Mearns, Public Relations Coordinator

(724) 238-6015

FORMER ALTOONA RESIDENT’S ARTWORK ON DISPLAY AT SAMA

            Altoona – The latest exhibition at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Altoona features works by Ray Noll, a former Altoona resident and art instructor at The Pennsylvania State University, Altoona campus. Noll organizes his work into several distinct series based on broad themes such as wildlife, woodlands, and surrealism. It is the latter category that will be featured in this exhibition that portrays the artist’s concept of “Dark Transcendence.” The exhibition, titled Dark Transcendence: Selected Works of Ray Noll, opens at the Museum on October 13 and will remain on view through January 21.

            Noll describes the theme as “a transcendence of the human spirit brought on by unknown, dark events.” Frequently, this series portrays a dichotomy of imagery by juxtaposing clashing cultures or more universal themes such as strength and weakness, death and life, and past and present. The artist’s surrealist works rely on allegory and symbolism to convey visual messages of brooding emotion.

            “Ray Noll is a keen observer of life and nature,” said SAMA-Altoona Coordinator, Barbara Hollander. “He injects his art with broad travel experiences as well as his wicked imagination. Ray is meticulous in his execution of figures within complex surroundings. This exhibition flips easily between the worlds of fantasy and reality, where our artist creates a passionate world of his own, inviting the viewer to travel right along with him.”

            Noll’s work springs from a variety of inspirations, thus remaining elusive and unpredictable. His strong graphic sense, from his years as art director for several publications and organizations, lends itself to eye-grabbing images that pull the viewer closer to examine the details of texture, rhythm, color, line, and brush stroke. His creations are inspired by life experiences where the viewer will be both intrigued and unsettled.

            The Museum will host an opening for the exhibition at 5 p.m. on October 13. Ray Noll will be in attendance, as will members of Art in Common, for this joint exhibition opening. Cost is $12 or $10 for Museum members. Reservations are required by October 11 and can be made by calling the Museum at (814) 946-4464.

            The artist also will speak at a Lunch a l’Art program at the Museum on January 11, 2007. Cost for the program, which begins at noon, is $12 or $10 for Museum members. Reservations are required by January 9 and can be made by calling the Museum.

            The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Altoona is located in the Brett Building at 1210 Eleventh Avenue. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. weekends. The Museum is a handicapped-accessible facility and is open to the public free of charge. Parking is available in the garage across the street or in metered spots in the lot at the rear of the building. For more information, please call the Museum or visit www.sama-art.org.