"Introspective" Frank Schueler: Sculpture Opening Reception: Saturday, January 14, 5 p.m. Exhibit remains through March 1 Dolphin Gallery

An exhibit of sculptures by Frank Schueler will open the year in the newly renovated Dolphin Gallery with a show titled "Introspective."

Frank Schueler's sculptures are carved, welded, and assembled using wood, stone, metals and plastics, or a combination of these materials. Some of the sculptures are cast in bonze. This exhibit displays a selection of his most recent work.

Frank explains that he often works with a theme to develop a series of sculptures while exploring the meaning and extent of an idea. He says. "I am intrigued by the shape of the circle. For this show I have further explored this concept. Several of the pieces show an Asian influence as a result of my recent visit to Japan."

What started as a hobby some 37 years ago soon became a major focal point of Frank Schueler's life. His first solo sculpture exhibit took place in Cambria, California, in 1972, at the Whittle House Gallery. Since then he has shown his work nationwide and in Germany, including a show in Gualala at the Starry-Sheets Gallery in 1988. Collectors of Schueler's work include individuals and corporations across the U.S., as well as in Europe and Asia.

Currently he is working on a series of large columns for an outdoor installation. Some of them move or turn gently with the wind. In addition, he cuts and welds "retired" agricultural cultivator disks and other farm implements to create works in his series "Oracle" and "Herald."

Frank Schueler's work is based on a love for clean and touchable forms, reflecting his technical background as an electro-mechanical journeyman in Germany. He enjoys the process and the product, the artistic and technical challenges, and the reactions his sculptures receive. Recently he said, "It is a great joy for me to observe people looking at my work, not only with their eyes, but also with their hands. I strive to give value to my materials, which often are discards of man or nature."

The Dolphin Gallery is located at 39225 Highway One in downtown Gualala, behind the post office on the south side, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call (707) 884-3896 for more information.