“A Blue Collar Romantic” by Stanley Bly is the current exhibit in the Murray Gallery through Nov. 5. The gallery, on the second floor of Menard Hall, is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

A reception for the artist will be held at the gallery this evening, Oct. 15, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.

Stanley Bly is an American, Midwestern artist, who generally depicts subjects who reference mythology, art history and blue collared sweat. He tends to place them in a surreal limbo, next to flat spaces, and chalkboard images. The chaotic nature of the chalkboard, next to the traditionally painted imagery, creates a scene that is both academic, and asymmetrically destructive. The romantic compositions present the work as a theatrical narrative, and challenges the viewer to find more than what is immediate.

Mr. Bly is a graduate of the University of Illinois-Springfield. He was recently featured in the traveling “Pro-Text” show arranged by the Illinois State Museum where he spoke on the use of text within his artwork. More information on the artist is available at www.stanleybly.com.