Exhibit Features Student Artist's Work

Laura Wartel, an Eastern Michigan University freshman from West Bloomfield, features sculpture inspired by nature in the July gallery exhibit at Huron Valley Council for the Arts.

Wartel’s exhibit, titled It’s Just My Nature: Sculptures by Laura Wartel, starts with a free opening reception in HVCA’s gallery, located at 205 W. Livingston Road in Highland, from 7-9 p.m. Friday, July 8. 

Those attending the reception will have the opportunity to meet the artist and buy her work while enjoying light refreshments. 

 “The show is nature inspired and concentrates on fluidity, form and texture,” Wartel said. But sculpture isn’t her only medium. “I am still choosing but I have really enjoyed painting mediums. I want people to know that I have just begun and that I am brimming with new ideas…. When asked what she wants people to know about her work, she responded: “I want to ask people, ‘Do you see what I see?’” 

The artist, who currently is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at EMU, received multiple scholastic awards for her artwork throughout high school, including 2009’s West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce Big Fish event. 

She also took part in the following 2008, 2009 and 2010 exhibitions: the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center Exhibit and Bloomfield Hills Schools District Art Show; in 2009 and 2010, her work was displayed in the Scholastic Art Awards Exhibit. 

The exhibit also may be viewed during HVCA’s regular gallery hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through July 30.