Alva Review-Courier -

Opening tonight at Graceful Arts Gallery in Alva, the Visual Travels exhibit features two very different artists: a skilled landscape photographer and a painter who makes visually intriguing abstracts.

Graceful Arts Gallery walls are filled with landscapes and wildlife from the collection of Michael Louthan for the Visual Travels exhibit. In the foreground are various art forms by other artists.

Michael Louthan is an international landscape photographer. Originally a backpacker, mountaineer and traveler, Louthan's retirement from the digital audio development industry gave him freedom to travel. His photographs come from those travels to Patagonia, Norway, Iceland and the northwest territories of the U.S. as well as Oklahoma night skies. His exhibit captures varied places as well as some of the wildlife that inhabits those areas.

Raised in a very creative environment, Ivy Epps has dabbled in many forms of art including makeup, flower arranging and jewelry making. After a cancer diagnosis and undergoing chemotherapy, she decided to work on her root insecurities, finding new joy and rejuvenation in her painting. Several of her colorful abstracts include hidden words.

Both artists plan to be present for tonight's First Friday Art Walk in Alva from 6 to 8 p.m. They will be available to talk with guests about their work. Refreshments are also available.

The gallery also features a number of intriguing sculptures, carvings, metalwork, pottery and books for browsing.