Two exhibitions to open Oct. 26 in The Cole Art Center

This illustration by author and illustrator William Joyce, Santa © 1993, will be among the paintings and drawings to be featured in the exhibition "The World of William Joyce," which will open Friday, Oct. 26, in the Ledbetter Gallery in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House as part of the SFA College of Fine Arts' University Series.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Two art exhibitions will open Friday, Oct. 26, in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House as part of the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts' University Series.

An opening reception for "The World of William Joyce" and "Todd Slater: The Art of Rock" will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 26 in the art center located at 329 E. Main St. in downtown Nacogdoches.

"The World of William Joyce" will feature the paintings and drawings of the author and illustrator of more than 50 children's books, such as "George Shrinks" and "Rolie Pole Olie." Joyce has won an Oscar and three Emmys for his animations. This exhibition was organized by the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature, Abilene, Texas. It will open in the Ledbetter Gallery downstairs.

Also opening the same night in the upstairs Reavley Gallery, "Todd Slater: The Art of Rock" will feature the work of SFA graduate Slater, who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in art in 2002. The show will highlight 25 examples of his original silkscreen posters featuring a who's who of rock and roll band performances. Since graduating from SFA, Slater has created hundreds of posters featuring the music industry's hottest acts, including The White Stripes, The Foo Fighters and Radiohead.

These two exhibitions take the place of "Contemporary Texas Visions in Hispanic Art," which was canceled but may be rescheduled at a later date. Both shows are open through Jan. 12. Gallery hours are from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Holiday hours may vary.

The exhibitions are presented by the SFA School of Art and are sponsored in part by the Nacogdoches Junior Forum and the SFA Friends of the Visual Arts. All exhibitions, receptions and gallery talks are free and open to the public.

For more information, call (936) 468-1131 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.