KALONA

When local folks enter the Historic Post Office Gallery at the Iowa City Senior Center this month, they’ll find themselves gazing at photographs taken at places they may recognize: the Southtown Recreation Area in Kalona, Terry Trueblood Recreation Area in Iowa City, and the Washington County Emergency Communications Center in Washington.

That’s not a coincidence; the photography is the work of Kalona resident and mayor Mark Robe, whose art joins that of Carol Carlson and Jo Myers-Walker in “Reflections: People, Place & Inner Worlds,” which runs through the end of October.

The works in the Main Gallery “offer distinctive perspectives on human connection, the natural world, and everyday moments that inspire us to look again,” according to the City of Iowa City website.

The show is a first for Robe, but he has long enjoyed photography.

“I got started just taking pictures of the sky, sunrises, sunsets and clouds,” he said in an email. “I actually belong to a group on Facebook called ‘Keep Your Eyes to the Sky.’ I have probably been posting on social media for 10 years or more.”

When it comes to his photography on display at the gallery, Robe says he was inspired by the nature around him. When visitors see his pieces on display, “I hope they see the beauty in my work that I saw,” he said.

An Artist Reception will be held on Friday, Oct. 2 in conjunction with the Gallery Walk. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., guests can meet Robe, Carlson (also a photographer), and Myers-Walker (watercolor artist and instructor). In the Upper Gallery, students from Myers-Walker’s Watercolor Joyous and Free class will share their artwork and celebrate their experience as exhibiting artists.

Myers-Walker will also present a live watercolor demonstration that will offer visitors a glimpse into the creative process and expressive possibilities of watercolor, according to a press release.

The Historic Post Office Gallery at the Iowa City Senior Center is located at 28 S. Linn Street, Iowa City. Artwork is generally viewable during regular operating hours, although it may be limited during programs or room rentals. Guaranteed gallery hours are Monday-Thursday 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., and Sunday noon-3 p.m.