The artists, friends, parents and faculty enjoyed food, people and art Thursday at the opening night of the Riverland Community College's new gallery.

The brightly lit room displayed an array of art in various mediums on the walls and tables of the gallery.

"I am very thrilled. It's about time this happened," said Jim Wegner, a former art instructor who taught at Riverland for many years. Wegner's art will be the focus of the next show at the gallery. He will be displaying a "retrospective" collection from his earlier pieces to his latest ones.

Through the course of the night, about 100 people attended the opening. Art, people and food intermingled among the art work of fall semester students at Riverland.

"How neat is it to have a place to display their art and get recognition," said Sally Kolb, who attended with several other members of the Austin Area Art Center.

Adeline Longworth, also a member of the art center said the place was wonderful and said she was happy to see the work of an artist who used to be her neighbor.

Pieces displayed from the selected group of 30 to 40 students varied

from two-dimensional art, ink and charcoal drawings, acrylic painting and ceramics make up the show.

"It is great. We needed one for a long time. The place gives us a lot more room to do variety. We do our work and our friends and teacher can see it, but this way everyone can come and see it," said Angela Burch, one of the artists.

The gallery is located at the Austin Campus in the West Building at 1900 Eighth Avenue NW.

Admission to the gallery is free of charge.

Roxana Orellana can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:roxana.orellana@austindailyherald.com