Finals week is fast approaching and classes are gearing up for the end of the year. For many this means tons of work and studying.

But for the students in Art 50 (Introduction to Painting), classes will end a little differently.

Each student will show two original paintings in the class's own art exhibit, opening at 4 p.m. today. The exhibit is free and will be held at the Community Partnership Resource Center in Lewistown through Monday.

Professor Michelle Montes said the exhibit would be a continuation of classroom instruction. The students will get to experience first-hand what it's like to show their artwork as a professional artist would, she said.

For Lisa Moore (sophomore-special education), this show is more about the creation of art and isn't just about being professional.

Before the class, she said, she doubted her painting abilities.

After being taught different aspects of painting, though, Moore said she learned to look at her surroundings in a different light.

"You learn to appreciate colors and depth," she said. "[Montes] taught us to find underlying colors."

Students of Art 50 explored the different aspects of the paint medium, focusing on using acrylic paints.

Moore's paintings, to be showcased tonight, incorporate little parts of her life. One painting -- a still life of miscellaneous makeup, a cell phone, lipstick and a pen -- is a statement that shows her busy life as a student.

Works of art like these, she said, show "little things about my personality."

Another student, Chrisann Stoicovy (freshman-division of undergraduate studies), said she looks forward to showcasing her personal creativity.

"Self expression is a great thing," she said. And that -- her mood at the time of creation -- was the motivation behind her featured works.

Stoicovy will be showing two pieces. One, a desert scene landscape, was created using acrylic paint in combination with other mediums like watercolor and oil pastels.

The other is described as an abstract piece, she said, created almost by accident while experimenting with a painting technique.

The piece came out with a "really funky looking yellow-green color," Stoicovy said.

"I learned to get over the fear of mixing mediums," she added. "I'm not scared to try new and different things."

Sometimes one of the scariest parts of showing artwork is comparing it to other artists, Stoicovy said.

"When I look at my work compared to other, more realistic painters, I'm a little nervous," she said.

There are some students in the class, Moore said, whose artwork comes to them more naturally. But both agreed that having confidence in the artwork they created outweighs these insecurities. "You can appreciate everyone's individual approach and outcomes," she said, "There's really no bad art."