In times like these, everyone needs a good fairy tale to travel to a place where anything is possible. “Twice Upon a Time” is a collaboration between painter Sibel Kocabasi and ceramic artist Brian Somerville. The exhibition will display approximately 45 works and runs from Feb.16 to March 26 at The Gallery at Eissey Campus, Palm Beach State College at Palm Beach Gardens. Opening reception will be Tuesday, Feb. 16 from 5 – 8 p.m.

"Rare Bird" by Sibel Kocabasi is a 30-by-80-inch oil-on-wood, priced at $4,800.

Sibel Kocabasi

Lake Worth resident Sibel Kocabasi’s paintings reflect the potential for beauty in art. “Beauty and hope are the strongest way to protest injustice in its forms; political, religious and environmental,” she said. “In the age of globalism, everything has become transparent.  The visual landscape has become cluttered. With all the communication available, people are starving for beauty and hope.”

Brian Somerville’s ceramic animal figures are created to search for reasons why we forget our manners and rely on our most basic animal instincts.

Brian Somerville

“History repeats itself because we don’t always learn from our mistakes,” he said. “Regardless of the consequences, there are instances that make us all lose control.  The potential for savage behavior is present in each of us.”

Somerville, until recently, was an Artist in Residence at the Armory Art Center. Presently, he’s an artist with the Weber Group. Inc., Sellersburg, Indiana.

Somerville will hold a two-day workshop, titled “Sculpting and Carving Large,” in BB 125 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 12 – 13. Somerville will demonstrate how to “build large” in clay and will also go over carving techniques, use of image transfer and glazing tips and tricks. Registration required; the cost of the workshop is $50 for the public.

Brian Somerville's "I Ain't Going Nowhere" is a ceramic sculpture, 12 by 14 by 5 inches, priced at $675.

The opening reception and exhibit are free and open to the public. Both artists will be in attendance at the reception and their artwork is for sale. Palm Beach State College, Eissey Campus, is at 3160 PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens. The Art Gallery at Eissey Campus is located in the BB building, room 113. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday For more information and to register for the workshop call (561) 207-5015.