Jerry Mannell and Catherine Schlebecker
Three stars
North Central High School — The Gallery

North Central High School’s art gallery is building new art audiences. “Start now to introduce art, and there’s a future,” said Leanne Ellis, gallery coordinator and parent. The Gallery, showing work by professional artists, is across from the cafeteria and open during school lunch hours (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) or as scheduled. Jan. 25, 5-8 p.m. is a closing reception to meet exhibitors Jerry Mannell and Catherine Schlebecker. Mannell’s surrealistic oil paintings — reviewed fall ’06 at the Stutz (now Pivot) Gallery — consistently depict modeled objects with dualities. In “Harbor,” a top becomes a breast, the scene a still life or desert landscape, perhaps war-torn. Schlebecker’s textural, hand-built ceramic platters and sculptures of whimsical dresses are made of earthenware and decal additions. Dresses stand upright with differing front/back sides. “Girls call them prom dresses,” Ellis said, which leads to what the work starts to explore: female identity and traditions. “Little Boy Texture,” with intriguing front pocket cavity, is less united with backside imagery. But “Grammy’s Wallpaper” cohesively juxtaposes a nostalgic, floral wallpaper panel within a con
temporary overall design. Through Jan. 25; 317-259-7108.