VAC Gallery exhibits ‘Nature of Nature’

Volcano Art Center will present “The Nature of Nature,” an exhibition featuring the mixed-media works of Elizabeth Miller and John Matsushita from Saturday through June 2 at its gallery in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

An opening reception is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the gallery, where an Artist Gallery Talk is scheduled at 6 p.m. April 27.

Miller has a background in science and a passion for places on the planet where the primal forces of nature predominate. Her curiosity led her from quantum physics, for which she began her studies at Iowa State University, to a degree in art. While both fields share similarities, she said the language of art gave her far more freedom and beauty of expression.

Relocating to Volcano from Washington state in 2003, Miller works as a studio artist in an environment she describes as vibrantly alive and continually inspiring. She has become known for her exquisitely crafted paintings, drawings and sculptures in a mix of media, including metal bas-relief, wood carving, encaustics and resin casting embedded with found elements.

Matsushita discovered encaustics, or hot wax painting, 15 years ago. After a great deal of research and experimentation, Matsushita has made encaustics his primary medium. He also works with wood, stone and clay.

The exhibit is free to the public, though park entrance fees apply. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. For more information, visit volcanoartcenter.org or contact the gallery at 967-7565 or gallery@volcanoartcenter.org.