Throughout the spring semester, visitors to Leach Theatre can view a retrospective exhibit by artist Ellen Pearce. Pearce, a Rolla resident who has traveled through much of the U.S. and Europe, primarily uses acrylic paint to create landscapes in hopes of bringing viewers a fresh take on common and uncommon themes.

An opening night reception for the semester-long art show will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, in the lobby of Leach Theatre in Castleman Hall, located at the corner of 10th and Main streets in Rolla.

Pearce is originally from Hudson Valley, N.Y. After attending college in Ohio she traveled in Europe and lived in several other states before settling in Missouri. Her exposure to the rules of visual arts happened at a young age. She was a writer for many years before deciding she could more easily communicate meaning in a work of art than in entire sentences. Her past exhibitions include displays at Plattsburgh State Art Museum and Frye Art Museums; Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art and Elizabeth Rozier Gallery/Museum.

The art show is sponsored by the Campus Art Committee. To purchase works by Pearce, email epearce@rollanet.org. For more information about the reception or the art show, contact Luce Myers, assistant teaching professor in arts, languages, and philosophy at Missouri S&T, at 573-341-4109 or lmyers@mst.edu.