Prints by a West Virginia University art professor and paintings by a Seattle artist and nurse who assisted Gulf Coast hurricane victims will be exhibited in the Creative Arts Centers Mesaros Galleries starting Thursday, Oct. 27.

The exhibits of Joe Lupos prints and Pam Keeleys paintings will be open through Dec. 9.

The Fifth Vital Sign,featuring recent paintings and works on paper by Keeley, will be on view in the Paul Mesaros Gallery. They are spare, quiet, melancholy, mixed-media works that explore pain and the human condition.

Keeley is also a transplant nurse in a major Seattle hospital. She spent September as a Red Cross volunteer assisting hurricane victims on the Gulf Coast.

She will speak about her artwork and about her experiences in New Orleans when she presents a visiting artist lecture in the Division of Art at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, in the CAC s Bloch Learning and Performance Hall.

The opening reception for both exhibitions will follow at 6 p.m. at the Mesaros Galleries.

Joe Lupo Prints,on view in the Laura Mesaros Gallery, includes recent prints by the assistant professor who joined the art faculty in 2004 and is head of the printmaking program. Lupos work in the classroom focuses on intaglio, relief and silkscreen.

A native of Chicago, he received a masters degree from the University of Georgia in 2002 after doing his undergraduate work at Bradley University. His prints, drawings and paintings have been shown in galleries across the country, most recently in Chicago and Atlanta. He received a purchase award from the 45 th Chautauqua (N.Y.) Exhibition of American Art, and his work was most recently published in the 2003 Midwest Edition of New American Paintings.

Lupo will present a lecture about his work at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, in Bloch Hall.

Managed by curator Robert Bridges and the WVU Division of Art, the Mesaros Galleries organize a diverse and exciting schedule of exhibitions throughout the year. The galleries are committed to showing experimental work that is innovative both in terms of media and content. The Mesaros Galleries also host contemporary artists of important or growing reputation who work in all media in the visiting artist program. All the gallery events and receptions are free and open to the public.

The Mesaros Galleries are open Monday through Thursday from noon-9:30 p.m.; Friday from noon-9 p.m.; and Saturday from 1-9 p.m. They are closed Sunday and on University holidays. Special viewing times may be arranged upon request.

For more information, contact Bridges at 304-293-2140 ext. 3210 or 304-293-2312.