Local sculptor Jim Bright and his colleague, artist Joanne Landis, hope to demonstrate the intrigues of abstract art in their exhibit, which is showing in the HUB-Robeson Center's art gallery through Dec. 4.

"We believe in the mystery of a good story," Bright said.

Bright said the collection of works is a combination of impressionistic sculpture and painting.

He said the pieces are symbolic of certain stories in the artists' lives.

Bright, who has been a teacher and a father for many years, gave examples of how his pieces had underlying "mystery" or hidden meaning.

He said that his piece "First Formal" is reminiscent of high school dances his daughter attended.

"The pieces have a narrative quality from my standpoint, and I hope the students will get that too," Bright said. "Art is on a continuum of the realistic and pure abstraction. Mine is in the middle of thgat."

Paula Poh (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies) said the tone of the art pieces on display is categorized as impressionistic.

"It's very abstract. You would need that state of mind," she said.

Gallery Assistant Carol Brooks said she feels that the art, while non-realistic, would be of interest to Penn State students because of of its deeper, symbolic meaning.

"Jim's pieces are interesting and very figurative," she said.

Brooks said she enjoys the depth of the art's symbolic meaning, despite the abstract quality of certain works. He said he thinks Penn State students will enjoy his art because it has a certain down-to-earth sense. Bright also said that Landis displays similar qualities in her paintings, which is why they chose to display their work together.

"A lot of her pieces are about her and her environment," Bright said. "One painting, for example, is about the death of a close friend."

The two artists were put together based on admiration for each other's work and how their styles complement each other, Bright added.

"Joanne's strokes of figures are reflected in the same sculptural lines as Jim's," Brooks said.

Bright said both artists believe that, despite the meaning they have put into the work they create, the beauty of the art comes from each viewer's ability to observe and take away their own unique story from what they see.

"We don't want to do too much for the viewer," Bright said. "We want to start them out on that particular journey to that piece, and then let their imagination set to work."

The display can be viewed from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and noon to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday.