SCRANTON, PA-April 30, 2008.

Marywood University will present the opening exhibition of work by five graduate students on May 3, 2008, in both the Suraci Gallery, Shields Center for Visual Arts, and the Kresge Gallery, Insalaco Center for Studio Arts. The group exhibit features Master of Fine Arts candidates Amy Ahearn (Photography), Renee Ciampi (Painting), Erin McMahon (Printmaking) and Master of Arts candidates Karen Reid (Sculpture) and Jessica Zekus (Ceramics). The exhibit opens with a reception on Saturday, May 3, from 5-7p.m., and will be on display through June 27.

Amy Ahearn (Susquehanna, PA) received her B.F.A in photography from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is currently employed as a freelance photographer for the Himalayan Institute Press in Honesdale, PA. Ms. Ahearn's digital photographs are macro images of found objects from nature. Her materials allow the viewer to imagine and interpret the images in an abstract way. Composed of 14 different images, her series consists of 40 total photographs. Amy considers herself to be both a naturalistic and formalist photographer.

Renee Ciampi (West Wyoming, PA) obtained her B.F.A degree from Marywood University and studied at the Studio Art Centers International in Florence, Italy. Renee works with oil paint on canvas, working in a large to life size scale, often within an equine theme. Citing her source as nature, Renee says every work of art, individual, or phenomenon is potential for inspiration. Renee's first drawing, at age 5, was a unicorn colored with her set of eight Crayola crayons. She still owns a box of crayons (now 96 colors), makes pictures of horses, and, somehow, never lost sight of what makes life meaningful.

Erin McMahon (Binghamton, N.Y.) received her B.S. in art education from Mansfield University, in Mansfield, Pennsylvania. Erin taught art for four years at the middle and high school levels in the Binghamton area. She is now pursuing her career as a full-time artist. Erin's work is created using the drypoint method on a Plexiglas matrix. The images are all drawn by hand without the use of any photo reproduction. The prints are limited edition and hand pulled, ranging in edition size from five to forty. Erin's prints portray the many places that she has traveled, including Ireland, Italy, New York City, and Hawaii.