Machinations, an exhibition of digital prints by Randy Waln, opens Monday, May 5, at the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts in Nebraska City.

The artist and Peru State College professor invokes the Law of Unintended Consequences in these recent works. “As we go about organizing and shaping the materials and spaces of nature,” says the artist, “it seems we often manage to have a detrimental impact.” Images of rusty metal, gears, altars, and birds are recurring symbols in these richly layered prints. “We have windows so we can let the sun in and see outside. Birds try to fly through the sky reflected in those windows and break their necks.”

Born and raised in rural Wyoming, Randy Waln served in the Army before earning two degrees, a BFA and MFA, from the University of Wyoming. His work has been exhibited in national and international juried exhibitions around the country. Prior to teaching at Peru State, Waln taught art and graphic design at Montana State University-Northern for twenty years.

Machinations runs Monday, May 5, through Thursday, June 19, with a public reception for the artist on Saturday afternoon, May 31, from 1 to 3 p.m. Mr. Waln will give a brief talk (10-15 minutes) at 1:45 p.m., and guests will be treated to the Center’s traditional homemade ice cream. During the reception visitors may also tour the facility and meet the current resident artists.

The Kimmel Harding Nelson gallery is located at 801 3rd Corso in Nebraska City and is open Monday through Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. Appointments at other times are encouraged. Both the exhibit and the reception are free, handicapped accessible, and open to the public. For more information, call 402-874-9600 or visit www.khncenterforthearts.org.