College gallery shows are usually overlooked in the grand scheme of community art shows. With art walks, museums, and larger, big-name galleries usually usurping most of the everyday foot traffic, smaller college-based shows are usually passed, mostly because a majority of people do not actually know that they are going on or cannot find them, as these exhibits are often tucked away into smaller spaces on university or college campuses.

They may take some further investigation, or preparation in getting precise directions to the campus, but it is almost always worth the time. “Pierce Arts,” currently exhibiting at Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom, is one of these gems of a college show peeking out from underneath the span of the entire campus, and the general art community at large.

Photographer Peter Serko is well known in the Puget Sound area, particularly for his breathtaking photographs of and around the Museum of Glass. Although he does not have an educational background in art, he could easily fool anyone into believing he does. His photo “New York Meadow #1” is filled with sepia gray tones, and contains a yellowish sky that gives an apocalyptic feel against the calm of the presiding willows. The rest of the forest in the background lurks, as it is barely visibly covered in fog. The scene takes on an incredibly minimalist and simplistic view of nature as a whole.

“Bow to the Wind” again takes on a primarily sepia-color scheme, but in contrast to the last photo everything in the forefront of the picture is in focus. In the view is the ocean shore, sandy beach, and rocky terrain near a peninsula, which is covered in roots that span far and look like claws. One of the middle trees in the frame looks as thought it has given way to the pressure from the wind, and bends left. Overall, the ocean seems quite calm compared to the trees.

Kathryn Baur has made art into a career for herself through teaching. She has been drawing since she could first hold a pencil, and believes that she learns just as much from her students as they do her. To Baur, “working with charcoal (as artistic medium) is like sculpting on paper. The whole hand is involved - every finger has an important job to do!”

Baur has only one piece in the Pierce Arts show, but it is definitely solid enough to stand on its own. “Byzantine” is a large-scaled work composed in charcoal, and is a detailed sketch of an older man. The sharp detail in the piece is greatly accented by the simple black frame chosen by the artist. The piece has a very comic, graphic-novel drawing style aesthetic to it, yet still retains its academic feel. The shading, shadowing and skillful hand of Baur all serve to create believable wrinkles and amazing detail in often-overlooked facial expressions, and in the deterioration that all human skin experiences over time. These wrinkles are so deep and feathered, and are smothered in realism. Hair and eyebrows on the man stick out in all the places they should, and the eyes are not exaggerated in the least. They take on the almond-like shape that they should. Visually staggering and impressive, “Byzantine” gives us a glimpse into the life of a serious man who is very likely suffering.

Jennifer Inah Ahre’s artist statement does an excellently succinct job of summing up what exactly the artist is trying to do in creating her art. “My aim is to use a fragment of wall space to examine the social condition of individuals and the environments in which they live.” Ahre’s acrylic, oil and mixed-media piece, “Walking,” is an abstract work that utilizes collage, paint strokes, drips and patterns. Ahre layers her colors to meld them, and make them appear warm. The upper-left side of the piece is predominantly dark, composed with black, deep purples and grays and gives way to a fight with the brighter whites and pinks in the middle of the painting. The bottom right of the piece appears as though it is shooting out fire, and a grayish aftermath is left for the viewer to experience. There is an abundance of movement and speed throughout the piece, and it seems as though the placement of every single drip of paint was intentional in order to fulfill Ahre’s master plan.

“Pierce Arts” at Pierce College gives visitors what every other larger show in the neighborhood successfully gives - an impressive collection of art exhibited by amazingly talented locals.

“Pierce Arts” is on exhibit now at the Fine Arts Gallery at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom. Pierce College is located at 9401 Farwest Dr. in Lakewood. Gallery viewing hours are Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays.

For more information, visit the gallery’s website at www.pierce.ctc.edu/art.