A glass paperweight so lifelike it's scary, a portrait of the Flint Hills spring burn so intense you can almost feel the heat and an optical illusion created from stone, forged steel and limestone are works selected by Alice C. Sabatini Gallery's staff and volunteers for its Recent Acquisitions exhibition, Sept. 1 through Oct. 16. The exhibit displays the newest additions to the library's extensive collection, most for the first time.

Come by anytime, or stop in at the next First Friday Artwalk from 5:30-8:30pm Oct. 2, to see "Tarantula Paperweight" by Gordon Smith, "Patterns of a Spring Burn" by Lindsborg resident and nationally known photographer Jim Richardson, and "Loligo 13" by Larry Peters, of Topeka.

Visitors to Recent Acquisitions will see works ranging from antique to contemporary, from abstract and figurative. The pieces on display were individually selected by gallery staff and volunteers who sought the newest, coolest and most interesting items in the collection. In the past five years, the library has added more than 1,500 works of art to its collection.

"Topeka's oldest art collection is growing. We now have about 6,000 items in our art collection. This exhibit showcases the best in the collection. It is an opportunity to remember the community's long tradition of celebrating the arts and take pride in it," Sherry Best, gallery director, said.

The new items came form library purchases, gifts, estates and purchase awards from our art competitions. The Library Foundation and the Friends of the Library helps enable the expansion of the library's art collection, Best said.

"We really want the community to see the scope of the works of art we hold in trust," Best said.

Programs associated with Recent Acquisitions:
• The gallery promises an up-close look at some of the new art not included in the current exhibit during A Special Look: Art Close-up, at 2pm, Tuesday, Sept. 15.
• Best will add depth to people's understanding of the pieces in the exhibit during her Gallery Talk, at 7pm Wed. Sept. 30.
• Another First Friday Artwallk will be held at 5:30pm Friday, Oct. 2.
• Individuals will have another opportunity to see some more newly acquired art up-close during A Special Look: Art Close-Up, at 7pm Tues., Oct. 6.

The gallery is open during regular library hours: 9am-9pm Monday through Friday, 9am-6pm Saturday and 12-9pm Sunday.