Artist Patricia Howard will be exhibiting her work in the final installment of the Master of Fine Arts Series from now until Saturday in the Zoller Gallery.

Entitled Relics, Howard's work in black and white photography portrays many subjects ranging from family and her studies in Mexico to horses.

"When I was in Mexico studying abroad last summer, I visited a lot of old churches and saw several relics," Howard (graduate-art) said. "So I started thinking about the idea of relics and how pictures like relics are something from the past; a memory that can be saved."

Many of the MFA exhibitions have dealt with the theme or process of memory and, like memory, Howard's pictures have an ethereal, distant and dreamlike quality.

"Pat's work often deals with the universal subject of family and her personal approach is what makes her work expressive," said Lonnie Graham, assistant professor of art and integrative arts. "Everyone has family and a home and within the context of that lexicon, we can all relate to significant and interesting visions that we encounter throughout our life."

Aside from influences such as Mexico and her family, Howard deals with the subject of horses as well.

"I grew up with horses and I actually own one myself," Howard said. "They are both beautiful and dangerous creatures."

After recently taking a fall from a horse, Howard decided to document this memory in her work by photographing her horse, her sister's horse and the bandages she wore after the incident.

One of her large, untitled pieces depicts a stark white bandage against an entirely white background.

"I don't always work in black and white, but I thought the more abstract quality of the two would be appropriate for this installation," Howard said.

The black and white photography does tie in well with the theme of Howard's exhibition.

As with many visual representation of dreams and memories that are so often in black and white, Howard convey's that feeling in her work.

"I think there is always something spiritual and mysterious about photography," Howard said.

Graham said it is impossible to remember everything, but anything people do becomes a souvenir, so the photograph itself becomes a memento or a relic to these moments.

With such a diverse array of subjects and a contemplative theme, Howard's exhibition will certainly offer something for everyone.

"I am attracted to the photography," Julia Birmingham (graduate-art) said. "It's a show you can really spend a lot of time with."

The reception for the exhibition will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday in the Zoller Gallery.