Thursday night, Fullerton College Art Gallery opened up its doors to allow guest to enter a new world with art exhibit The Natural World.

Visitors were treated to a table full of tasty refreshments of falafels, marinated vegetables, hummus and pita bread as they milled about the entrance and watched the video of Adonna Khare working on some of her pieces.

Shortly after 5 p.m., FC president Rajen Vurdien invited everyone, “to enjoy and feast their eyes on the beauty that you see tonight.”

Artists Adonna Khare and Jon Ng were on hand interacting with visitors throughout the evening.

Entering the gallery you immediately notice the difference between the two artists. Turn to the right and you enter the whimsical surreal carbon pencil drawing world of Khare.

Her large pieces, held simply by tacks to the gallery walls. The piece to the immediate right, Rhino with bananas, were accompanied by drawings that Khare made directly on the wall continuing the picture out and up toward the ceiling.

“There is no name for this series. It was inspired after a life changing event,” Khare said. “The Light and the Dark Bears are my first two drawings and they symbolize the falling and floating I felt at the time.”

Each time you look at her pieces you find something different. Another animal, a hidden phrase, another detail to take in. The pieces are so detailed and large that it takes time to fully see everything.

Now if you were to turn left at the entrance, you are greeted by the soothing landscapes of Ng. Each acrylic piece is beautifully framed and from a distance it seems like you are looking out of a window instead of a painting. Up close you can admire the detail in his work – the use of light and the sweeping brushstrokes. The clouds on some pieces look as soft as cotton balls.

“I like the way it captures the natural environment in contrast to what’s outside. It’s kind of like time travel. I love the natural beauty,” said Stephen Tith an Associated Students senator.

If you need a break from the chaos of the start of the semester, stop by the gallery and escape into The Natural World.

The gallery is offering a book with photographs of the exhibit for $12. For more information on this and upcoming events follow them on Facebook as Fullerton Art Gallery and Instagram @fcartgallery.

The Fullerton College gallery located in the 1000 building, room 1004, is open Monday – Thursday from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 2 – 4 p.m. The exhibit runs through Thursday, Feb. 19.