Evansville Arts Coalition is pleased to introduce work by Jim Burger and Alayna Eldred in the Gallery in September.

One works with wood and metal, the other works with the lens of a camera.  Together, their works makes for a stimulating and refreshing view of the world all around us.

Jim Burger

Jim Burger divides his time between Evansville, Minnesota, and Arizona, where he spends six months of the year. His creative journey began with a simple project: building a trellis for a vine in his own yard. That project sparked an interest in creating pieces that bring metal and wood together in unexpected ways.

Jim describes his style as rustic, working primarily with reclaimed and used materials or transforming new materials to give them the character and feel of something aged. He hopes his work gets people’s imaginations going and encourages them to wonder about the story behind each piece.

For Jim, one of the best parts of creating is when someone stops, takes a closer look, and begins asking questions. That curiosity and connection are what make creating worthwhile

Alayna Eldred

Alayna Eldred is a  PGA of America Professional and photographer from Osakis, Minnesota. Creativity and a love of the outdoors have always been part of her life. Photography became a natural way to bring those interests together while capturing the people, places, and experiences she encounters along the way.

Her interest in photography began in high school when a friend convinced her to sign up for a photography class. It didn’t take long before they were hooked. They would drive around town searching for interesting things to photograph, sometimes for an assignment, but more often simply because they wanted to see what they could discover through the lens.

Today, she is especially drawn to nature, wildlife, landscapes, and sports. Her photography has a natural, candid quality, focusing less on creating the perfect pose and more on recognizing the right light, perspective, or fleeting moment. For her, part of the magic of photography is being able to preserve something that may have existed for only a second.

She hopes her photographs invite people into those moments. Maybe an image brings back a memory of somewhere they have been, makes them feel as though they are standing right there beside her, or inspires them to get outside and explore somewhere new

This exhibition runs from September 4 through September 26 and may be seen during regular Gallery hours on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

An Artists Reception will be held on Wednesday, September 23 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. View their work, meet and learn from the artists and enjoy light refreshments.