Ro2 Art Gallery will be hosting Dallas College Brookhaven Campus’ own visual communications professor Ray-Mel Cornelius’ latest work starting Sept. 11. The solo show featuring new work from Cornelius titled “Atmosphere” will run for about a month. An opening reception will be held 6-10 p.m. Sept. 11 at 1501 S. Ervay St. in Dallas.

Cornelius is no stranger to solo shows. He has appeared in solo shows since 2001 in locations including New York City, Cincinnati, Denver and Dallas.

This show will consist of a new body of work created with acrylic paint on canvas. “It has to do with the environment, our place in it and how we interact with it,” Cornelius said. 

Gallery visitors can expect a laid-back environment to experience his art. “People look at the art, walk around and talk to me if they’re so inclined to,” Cornelius said.

According to the bio published on ro2art.com, “Ray-Mel begins with a dark underpainting and defines the form by applying layers of light tonal values, allowing him to explore representational and abstract forms while achieving defining forms.”

Cornelius started teaching at Brookhaven in 1987 as an adjunct. He became a full-time professor in the visual communications program in 2011. “It was an opportunity to sort of expand my horizons a bit and hopefully give something back to the industry,” Cornelius said.

Ro2 Art is a contemporary fine art gallery that represents a diverse group of emerging, mid-career and established contemporary artists, according to its website. Ro2 opened in 2010 as a mother-and-son team. Susan Roth Romans and Jordan Roth collaborate with statewide organizations. Ro2 was named “Best Art Gallery” in 2020 by The Dallas Observer. In 2012, Ro2 was presented with the 25th Annual Obelisk Award for small business by the North Texas Business Council for the Arts for the gallery’s contribution to local arts and culture.