Photography exhibit ‘Paths’ opens this week at library

Las Vegas artist Linda Alterwitz will exhibit pieces from her latest photography show, "Paths," at the Summerlin Library Art Gallery, 1771 Inner Circle Drive, beginning with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

The exhibit plays on both the literal and figurative meaning of the word "paths." The literal interpretation incorporates roads, maps, tire marks, contrails and other moving lines of light and color. The figurative part refers to choices people make in their lives.

"Although parts of the completed image may be unrecognizable, one feels a mysterious, almost eerie sense of familiarity," Alterwitz says of her work. "The final image represents to me the dichotomy of life and death, and of the ethereal and earthly reality. I strive to create a dual sense of the abstract."

Alterwitz also draws on her experience as a painter in her photography. Her prints are usually large, averaging 40 by 60 inches. To maintain the quality, she paints each piece on either canvas or high quality paper. She even integrates her paintings into some of her photographs.

The artist also has shown her works at the Image Gallery at the College of Southern Nevada, the Contemporary Arts Collective Gallery in Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Art Museum, the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, the Washington Gallery of Photography and several online juried exhibitions.

In 2007, Alterwitz was a finalist in the 27th spring photography contest for Photographic Forum magazine.

"Paths" will run at the library through June 29.