“Santa Maria Novella” by Elizabeth Austin. The Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries at Northwest Florida State College begin the new year with two exciting exhibitions, opening January 13.

The McIlroy Gallery will host “Worlds Apart”, a two-man show featuring the works of Duncan Baird and Cetin Oguz. Both artists currently make their homes in the Deep South, but their backgrounds are strikingly different.

Baird creates abstract sculptures, often using natural materials that bespeak connection to the spirit of the land. Oguz uses drawing, painting, and mixed-media works to explore the human condition and to investigate his own history, culture, and beliefs. In “Worlds Apart”, the two artists find common ground as each brings his own perspective to the show.

The public is invited to meet Duncan Baird and Cetin Oguz, at an opening reception on January 13 from 6-7:30 p.m.

On display in the Holzhauer Gallery, viewers will be enchanted by the work of Elizabeth Austin. In “Cassetina, the Magic Box”, Austin offers us an intimate view of her decorated miniatures. Her cassetinas, which is Italian for “little boxes,” are framed in hand-crafted Florentine wood and feature ethereal paintings inside. She uses a reverse painting process that is evocative of techniques used by artists from Europe, India and China to create stained glass.

The galleries, which are free to the public, are open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and 90 minutes prior to most evening performances. For more details, visit www.mattiekellyartscenter.org.

Pensacola Little Theatre features comedy “End Days” in January

Think your family is unusually odd? Come see this "weirdly dysfunctional family that finds its soul by waiting for the Apocalypse together."

Pensacola Little Theatre's Studio 400 presents “End Days”, January 13-15 and 19-21. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. for Thursday through Saturday shows and 2:30 p.m. for Sunday matinees.

Sixteen-year-old Rachel Stein's father has stayed in his pajamas since 9/11. Her mother has begun a close, personal relationship with Jesus. A sixteen-year-old Elvis impersonator has fallen for her, and the Apocalypse is coming. Her only hope is that Stephen Hawking will save them all.

“End Days” directly pits science, religion and suburbia, but it's not an attack on any of them. There's not a trace of mockery in these extraordinary performances, each tinged with compassion, humor and heartbreak.

Pensacola Little Theatre is proudly celebrating its 75th season, continuing to provide a complete theatrical experience to children and adults through performances, volunteer opportunities, outreach programs and classes.

PLT is located inside the Pensacola Cultural Center at 400 South Jefferson Street, Downtown Pensacola. For additional information about upcoming shows, visit www.pensacolalittletheatre.com or call 850-434-2042.