Lake Tahoe Community College Art Department instructor Shelley Zentner will bring her large-scale portraits inspired by stories of freedom and expression to the Fine Arts building’s Foyer Gallery in her exhibit “Fundamental Freedoms.”

Zentner will host an artist reception and talk on April 19 from 5-7pm inside the Foyer Gallery.

Zentner has created seven works since the presidential election that will be featured in this exhibit. She felt compelled to contribute in some way to the growing voice of protest, saying, “We are in the midst of a great societal and global paradigm shift, and I feel that the role of artists is to use this negative energy as a catalyst for creativity.”

Each painting explores different aspects of freedom: the freedom to vote, to learn, to explore the natural world, and to escape violence and enslavement.

To complement this exhibition, a free screening of the award-winning documentary film “He Named Me Malala” will be shown in LTCC’s Duke Theatre on April 27 at 5:30pm. A discussion panel will follow. 

Local schools are invited to bring groups of children fifth grade and older to learn more about the issues raised by the subjects of each portrait in Zentner’s “Fundamental Freedoms” exhibit. The artist will be available for short presentations by appointment for the three-month duration of the show, and educational materials will be provided. All of the artworks are for sale, and a percentage of sales will be donated to causes and charities connected to each painting in the exhibit.

Zentner is a Welsh artist who has lived in South Lake Tahoe for 14 years. She is an adjunct faculty member in LTCC’s Art Department, and is also the founder of Tahoe Activist Artists.

After visiting the Foyer Gallery on April 19, all are welcome to the Haldan Art Gallery inside LTCC’s library building for a second exhibit and artist reception from 5-7pm featuring new works created by faculty and staff in LTCC’s Art Department. Artist talks will begin shortly after 5pm. Some of the featured pieces in this show include an additional piece by Zentner, photography by instructor Jim Grant, and more.

These exhibits will remain open through June 21. The Foyer Gallery in the Fine Arts building can be accessed Monday through Friday 8am-8pm, and Saturdays 8am-4pm. Haldan Art Gallery hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11am-5:30pm, and Fridays from 11am-2:30pm.