NACOGDOCHES, Texas - An artist's reception for Vera Barnett, whose works are showing in Stephen F. Austin State University art galleries, is scheduled for Thursday evening, April 21.

Barnett's exhibition, which features oil paintings, as well as examples of the artist's plastic models used to make her paintings, is showing through May 6 in both the Griffith Gallery on the SFA campus and in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

The artist's reception on April 21 will depart from the usual format, according to John Handley, director of galleries at SFA. Barnett will speak at 5 p.m. in Griffith Gallery, where the majority of her pieces are showing, followed by a wine-and-cheese reception at 6 p.m. in Cole Art Center, where Barnett's work is also exhibited.

"We want to extend a special thanks to Cheryl and Kevin Vogel of Valley House Gallery & Sculpture Garden in Dallas for organizing this exhibition," Handley said. Visit the gallery at: http://www.valleyhouse.com.

The exhibition is sponsored in part by Nacogdoches Junior Forum, SFA Friends of the Visual Arts and Texas Commission on the Arts. Admission is free.

Griffith Gallery hours are 12:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Cole Art Center hours are 12:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. For additional information, call (936) 468-1131.