This spring the lobby of Leach Theatre in Castleman Hall on the University of Missouri-Rolla campus will house “Three Women,” an exhibition of the works of three area female artists.

"Manhattan" by Mary Lou Corn

Three Women will feature paintings by St. James artist Mary Lou Corn and Rolla artists Diane Knight and Mary Esther Lowe. An opening reception for the exhibition will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, in the lobby of Leach Theatre in Castleman Hall, 10th and Main streets in Rolla, prior to the UMR Film Festival presentation.

The featured works will be on display in Castleman Hall until Friday, May 12. The show is sponsored by the UMR Campus Art Committee.

“We are blessed with a great deal of artistic talent in Rolla and Phelps County area,” says Dr. Lee Saperstein, professor of mining and nuclear engineering and interim chair of the UMR Campus Art Committee. “We had a difficult time picking just three but we believe that you will enjoy these artists just as much as do the members of the Campus Art Committee.”

Corn, a signature artist of the National Watercolor Society, has many of her paintings and original etchings hanging in private collections through the United States. Knight, a signature member of the St. Louis Artists’ Guild, has garnered numerous awards from national and regional exhibitions for her acrylic paintings and fine art photography. Lowe, who has been involved in art studies since a young age, is known for her lithography and etching creations.

In addition to the exhibit, the evening will feature a screening of “March of the Penguins.” The documentary takes a look at the annual journey of Emperor penguins as they march — single file — to their traditional breeding ground.

The Three Women opening reception will begin at 6 p.m. and “March of the Penguins” will follow at 7 p.m. Both the reception and the film are free and open to the public.

Many of the paintings featured in the exhibition will be for sale. A price list will be available from Emily Brickler at the Leach Theatre Box Office. Call (573) 341-6985 for pricing information.

For more information about the film or the exhibition, contact Shelly Plank at the UMR arts, languages and philosophy department at (573) 341-4185.