By Cathy Hay, Albert Lea Tribune

The photograph’s colors are so brilliant — the orange wings of the monarch butterfly and the pink petals of the double coneflower — that a viewer can almost feel their silkiness and the warmth of the sun shining on them. This photo by Ruth Olson is one of almost 40 pieces by 18 artists in the Albert Lea Art Center’s show entitled On a Summer Day. The show opens today with a reception from 1 to 3 p.m.

“Every show has a theme and artists look at what they might have for it. Everybody has a different perspective of what the theme might be, and that’s what makes it interesting,” said Tom Mullen, Art Center board member and gallery committee chairman.

The colors of summer flowers burst from an acrylic painting by Kay Hay, aptly named “Awestruck.” The season’s heat simmers from a colored pencil piece of three zebras on a savannah, entitled “A Stroll through Kalahari,” by Willy Olson. The lure of water attracts viewers to “Land o’Lakes,” a watercolor by Beth Tostenson.

A lazy day may provide “Something to Think About,” as in the collage by Cynthia Gail. Up close, a viewer sees individual pictures of hollyhocks, baseball and other summer moments. Standing back, the pictures form another image. Gail is one of three new artists to the center. The other two are Erin Murtaugh, showing one mixed media and two photos, including a black and white photo entitled “The Love of Music,” and Wendy Nickel, showing sculpture and mixed media, including a fabric with twigs entitled “The Dinner Party.”

Like the many scenes, scents and songs of summer, the show is an eclectic mix of media. The glimmer of sun on Fountain Lake, the heavy sweet fragrance of lilies, the splash of egrets — they’re in the paintings and photos of the show. Like summer, the show will end too soon — On a Summer Day closes July 11.

While there is street construction on Clark Street in front of the Art Center, parking is available around Central Park and on side streets. The sidewalk to the center remains open.

If you go

What: On a Summer Day art show

Where: Albert Lea Art Center, 226 W. Clark St.

When: May 31 to July 11 with opening reception from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, May 31

Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday

Admission: No charge