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An open house for the Albert Lea Art Center's All Member Art Exhibit will be held Sunday and feature many different types of art, including this embroidered hat made by Su Evans of Lake Mills and paintings by Bonnie Broitzman of Albert Lea. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune

The Albert Lea Art Center's annual All Member Art Exhibit will feature 26 area artists. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune

One of Charlene Marley's favorite pieces in this year's All Member Art Exhibit is this peacock apron made by Yvonne Cory from Easton. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune

All different types of mediums are represented at this year's All Member Art Show at the Albert Lea Art Center. This piece was made by Steve Bottleson. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune

All different types of mediums are represented at this year's All Member Art Show at the Albert Lea Art Center. This piece was made by Bonnie Wedge. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune

By Ayanna Eckblad

The Albert Lea Art Center on Wednesday opened the new year with the beginning of their annual All Member Art Show.

This year, the exhibit features 68 pieces total, and 26 artists are represented. Arts administrator Charlene Marley said there are seven members in the show this year who have not been in previous all-member shows.

The exhibit showcases different mediums of art including photography, watercolor, acrylic, woodworking, embroidery and more.

“We just want people to come in and see all the creativity that’s out there,” Marley said.

The exhibit differs from many of the other exhibits displayed throughout the year in the sense that it brings together many different styles and types of art by many different artists.

Oftentimes, Marley said, an exhibit will only feature one artist showing their work. Sometimes, artists have received a grant that determines what kind of exhibit they display.

The All Member Art Show is different.

Marley said there is no decision-making process for determining what will and will not get to be shown in the All Member Art Show. Rather, participating artists are allowed to bring whatever they would like to show the public.

Marley said she has multiple favorite pieces in the show this year, but she specifically pointed out an embroidered apron made by Yvonne Cory from Easton and a wood sculpture made by Darin Ingalls from Winnebago.

“It’s different,” she said about the sculpture. “We haven’t showcased woodworking very much. It reminds me of a totem.”

In addition to supporting local artists, the All Member Art Show also functions as a way to encourage people to become a member of the Art Center.

“The Art Center has actually over 100 artists that belong to our organization who are members,” said Marley. “And so we also would like other artists in the community to stop in, see what we do and possibly become members here as well.”

She added a person does not have to create art to become a member. Appreciators of art are welcome, too.

An open house for the All Member Art Show will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday.

The show will be displayed for people to view during the Art Center’s regular business hours, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. The show will be displayed through Feb. 1.

People can stop in at the Art Center or visit the Art Center’s website for more information.