Valencia to Display Exhibit of Post-Katrina Artwork from New Orleans

The Anita S. Wooten Gallery at Valencia College will display a collection of black-and-white prints by New Orleans artist Barbara Brainard from January 20, 2012 through March 9, 2012.

Brainard, a Loyola University assistant art professor, was inspired to create this collection of monotypes when she returned, after a brief evacuation, to her adopted city after Hurricane Katrina.

Her work - a collection of 23 black-and-white monotypes -- documents the vernacular architecture left standing, the century-old Creole cottages and shotgun houses.

Brainard made her way on foot around a city stripped of cars and people, discovering shredded strip malls, empty condominiums and pigeon-infested warehouses. She took snapshots of these ghostly scenes and used them to create prints that document a history that was vanishing as she worked. Most of the buildings and homes depicted in her artwork have since been demolished to make way for new construction.

To celebrate Brainard's work, Valencia will hold an opening reception on Jan. 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

The gallery is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The gallery is located at Valencia College's East Campus, Building 3, 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando.

For more information, go to valenciacollege.edu/arts or call 407-582-2268.