The public is invited to visit the galleries at the Albert Lea Art Center in October to view meditative and playful photo exhibits by Tom Mullen and Heidi Gjengdahl.

Featured in the Storrer Gallery, Mullen, a former elementary school teacher and later a media educator, focuses mainly on natural themes shot on vacation or during “seasonal inspirations.” This is Mullen’s first gallery showing of approximately 40 works.

In addition to Mullen’s work, his sister, Julie Muellenberg, an art teacher from Westby, Wis., will exhibit some of her watercolor paintings. Intrigued by watercolor’s versatility, Muellenberg finds the medium challenging and prefers painting mainly portraits of her favorite subjects.

A second photo exhibit will be held in the Herfindahl Gallery, featuring the works of Gjengdahl. Hailing from Minnetonka, Gjengdahl holds an adjunct faculty position in the Art Department of Minnesota State University, Mankato, where she teaches art foundations and photography. She also teaches a class in digital photography at South Central Community College, also in Mankato. Her current work centers around portraits and landscapes, and taking a step back using old-school technology in her choice of cameras.

An opening reception for this exhibit will be held at the Art Center on Sunday, Oct. 2, from 1 to 3 p.m. Following the reception, the Through the Eye of the Camera Exhibit will run through Nov. 5.

More information on this and other upcoming events may be found at www.thealbertleaartcenter.org. The Albert Lea Art Center is located at 224 S. Broadway Ave. in Albert Lea. Art center hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Art shop and gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays.