'Realm of Flight' exhibit features former pilot's art

The artwork of Harold J. Gallagher, a graduate student in the California State University, Fresno Art and Design Department, will be on display in the Conley Gallery Feb. 14-25. A former pilot, Gallagher features a theme of flight and flying in his art.

Those who know Gallagher's background might think him an unlikely candidate to become an accomplished artist. During his career, he was a turnaround specialist for companies experiencing financial problems, and he had to make many tough decisions to make them profitable. Gallagher moved to Fresno in 1986 and put a struggling tortilla maker on the road to fiscal health.

The ability to increase the bottom line, however, was not Gallagher's only talent. To pursue his artistic endeavors, he enrolled at Fresno State and honed his artistic skills.

The exhibit features sculpture and found objects. Gallagher's 43 years as a pilot and 28 years as a flight instructor inspired his unique sculptures.

Of particular interest are the sculptures of atmospheric cloud formations made from multicolored alabaster that was cut from quarries across the country and in Baja, Mexico. There are also sculptural tributes to some of the great aviation achievements of the past century, including Burt Rutan's Space Ship One, whose suborbital flight won the $10 million Ansari X Prize.

Gallagher's exhibit also features a tribute to those on board Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001. In addition, there is a tribute to Paul Bikle's 25-year-old glider altitude record, set in 1961 at nearly 47,000 feet.

The reception is free and open to the public. During the reception, parking is free in Lot B, just south of the Conley Building.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Conley Gallery is located in the Phebe Conley Arts Building, which is accessible from Maple or Woodrow avenues, north of Shaw Avenue.

For more information, call 559.278.2121.