Abstract artist Rodney Sandow, will be the Guest Artist at the Alliance Art Gallery in Hannibal, MO, for the month of May. A lifelong appreciation of abstract art led Sandow, of Peoria, to explore the world of color and texture he so admired upon his retirement in 2009. His decision resulted in his enrollment in a series of classes at his local community college with instructor Jean Gronewold. The rest is history.

Sandow continued his art exploration and studies over the next several years. He began to take his art more seriously. Studying different topics he found he preferred acrylic art techniques and today considers himself to be an acrylic abstract artist. With that said, has recently expanded to include some mixed media and collage expression and is having fun with the extended freedom those areas offer. He is continues to explore new areas and keeps an open mind to all ideas and critiques.

Sandow considers himself to be a novice artist and is excited to be the Alliance Art Gallery Guest Artist. He had donated pieces of his work in the past and sold several works but says he is looking forward to his first public exhibition.

An exhibit of Sandow's work will open on Saturday, May 9, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will continue through June 12. The opening coincides with the Second Saturday Gallery Night, a monthly gathering to meet local Gallery members and see their work. A piece of artwork from one of the member artists will be given away at a 6 p.m. drawing.