Justin Balliet, an award-winning artist from Northeast Pennsylvania features work at the Sordoni Art Gallery.

Though the reception for Balliet was on Sept. 6, the exhibit will continue until Oct. 20 in the Stark Learning Center. Brittany Kramer DeBalko, assistant director of the gallery worked with Balliet for a year and a half to bring his artwork to Wilkes.

“A friend of mine, Carmen Latona, who is also a collector arranged for the show to take place at Sordoni,” Balliet said.

Balliet had been drawing his whole life, saying that drawing is one of the few things he is passionate about.

“My inspiration comes from music, short stories, or the models themselves mostly,” Balliet continued. “I usually don’t draw much inspiration from other artists because my personal art heroes like Sam Kieth and Mark Texeria work in completely different styles from me. They have the most amazing and unique illustrations, while I try to be more realistic.”

Balliet’s art style is realism, which is to draw or paint something in its natural form, almost to that of a photograph. Balliet is based out of northeastern Pennsylvania, a former apprentice to The Waichulis Studio. His work was featured in publications such as The Artist’s Magazine, The Waichulis Studio and North Light Books Strokes of Genius 2.

When putting an exhibit together at the Sordoni, Kramer DeBalko says, “It depends on the exhibition, each one is different. Sometimes artists submit exhibition proposals and sometimes, I work with other Galleries and Museums to bring work to the Sordoni that integrates well into the university curriculum.”

Balliet would like to thank Brittany Kramer DeBalko along with Carmen and Sarah Latona for all the work put into the gallery.

The gallery hours for both the fall and spring semester are from noon to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The gallery is closed during holidays and university breaks, for more information, you may call the gallery office at 570-408-4325.