With classes back in session, college and university galleries are kicking off their new schedules of exhibition offerings. Last week, Nazareth College opened two shows: "Codex Gigas: New Paintings and Work from C. Graham Carson" at the school's Colacino Gallery, and the Annual Faculty Show in the Arts Center Gallery, both located in the Arts Center on Nazareth's campus (4245 East Ave.).

Carson's show includes acrylic paintings and assemblages created in his Rochester-based Myrmidon Studio. His paints are mixed with stone dust, natural earth pigments, and metal dust and shavings from his studio floor. "By adding objects or metal shavings, I'm creating paintings that are naturally more sculptural," he says in a provided statement. "Taking it another step, when I use materials that oxidize, they create their own pigments that change the painting." The objects attached to the paintings reflect the artist's fascination with anthropology, archaeology, and the history of places.

The Nazareth College Department of Art Faculty Show features ceramics, illustrations, metalwork, paintings, photos, prints, and sculpture by the department's faculty, including: Dr. Doot Bokelman, Maureen Brilla-Fitzpatrick, Lynn Duggan, Tracie Glazer, Sherri Baker Hamilton, Mitch Messina, Ron Netsky, and Paul Porell.

Both shows continue through September 20, with a joint reception to be held Friday, September 6, 5-7 p.m. The Colacino Gallery is open Wednesday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m., and the Arts Center Gallery is open Sunday and Tuesday-Thursday, noon-5 p.m., and Friday-Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Both galleries will be closed Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day weekend. For more information, call 389-5073 visit artscenter.naz.edu/galleries.