PC Art Gallery showcases unique art created with gunpowder.

The PC Art Gallery held its opening reception for THE STORY CHANGES, by artist Robert A. Weibel this week. His art utilizes gunpowder in a way you probably haven’t seen before.

In his exhibition, Weibel offers audiences a chance "to witness the transformative power of gunpowder as a medium for creation, reflecting the personal, environmental, and social changes we are currently facing."

Weibel created the images on display inside the gallery by igniting gunpowder on paper, following in the footsteps of Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang who is also known for his artistic use of gunpowder.

"I was so impressed by (Cai Guo-Qiang) that I had to try it," Weibel said. "I started small and did some little explosions, and then I saw its potential and its unique mark-making abilities. It was just fascinating."

Each piece is created by meticulously laying out the design in gunpowder and then compressing the layers of the design with cardboard. The compressed design is then ignited, creating a stunning effect that is really something to behold in person.

As a founding member of ArtHop in Fresno, Weibel is active in the regional art community, including the Printmakers Guild, Gallery 25 and The California Contemporary Art Collective. His works have been displayed in several prestigious galleries in Los Angeles; Portland, Ore.; Montreux, Switzerland; and the United Arab Emirates.

Visitors can experience this exhibition in person during gallery hours, noon to 2 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Off campus attendees are encouraged to contact the front desk upon arrival for a complimentary temporary parking permit.

For further inquiries, please contact Porterville College Art Gallery Director, Theodore Lyons, via e-mail: theodore.lyons@portervillecollege.edu.