WESTVILLE | The Purdue University North Central Odyssey Arts and Cultural Events Series celebrates its "Year of the Photographer" by presenting a series of exhibits that display the works of noted photographers.

"Chicago Photographs" by Rich Manalis is on exhibit from Jan. 11 through May 15. The show may be viewed in the first floor, north study area of the PNC Technology Building and it is free and open to the public. Building hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Some pieces will be available for purchase.

Manalis is an award-winning photographer who has been a practicing artist for about 11 years. He explains, "I became seriously involved in photography when my wife and I went to Santa Fe in 1998. I found the environment, in all respects, to be very inspirational for my work."

Since then his art has won a number of awards including a "Best Category Award" in photography from the 2009 Michiana Annual Art Competition at the Box Factory for the Arts, St. Joseph, Michigan and second-place in the 12th Biennial Juried Art Exhibition (2009), The Presbyterian Church of LaPorte.

Much of his art reflects his affection for patterns and textures. "I also love to photograph small details of objects that are made by Mother Nature or by man. Therefore, I do a lot of macrophotography (close-up photography)," Manalis explained.

By training, Manalis is a physiologist/neurophysiologist. He earned his Ph.D. in physiology from Indiana University. He spent 20 years in academia at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) and retired in 2000 as a professor emeritus of Biology.

To obtain further information about this exhibit or the Odyssey Arts and Cultural Events Series, contact Judy Jacobi, PNC assistant vice chancellor of Marketing and Community Relations, (219) 462-4197, ext. 5593.

--For The Times