Donna’s show, called “Toys in the Attic,” features interesting compositions of unexpected found objects, as well as unique ceramics, on display in the Sun Gallery at Studio Rubedo. It will be showing through Dec. 20.

Donna’s work has been in Art Prize in Grand Rapids four years running. The “Toys in the Attic” photos were included in Art Prize 2015, he said.

The Alpena artist taught photography, sculpture, ceramics and design at Kirtland Community College in Roscommon for about 25 years before retiring from there in 2015. He has since settled in at Alpena Community College, where he now teaches part-time in his retirement.

The odd items in his photos are strangely combined in a way that makes people think. For instance, one photo contains a tattered baby doll, part of a skeleton, a xylophone, what appears to be an old telephone, and a spherical object resembling a ball or a model of the moon.

Here is one of his pieces in the exhibit, which focuses on interesting found objects.

One featuring a brain in a jar took first place at the Northeast Michigan Juried Art Exhibition, he said.

“These are kind of, just an array of things that I had laying around the house,” Donna said of the objects he uses in his compositions. “My lifetime collection of objects.”

He has always had an affinity for the unexpected.

“From the very first time I started taking photos, I didn’t take, like, the normal photo of a barn or trees or landscapes,” Donna recalled. “I was always interested in things, mechanisms, and interesting-looking objects.”

He said the expertise is in the arrangement.

News Photos by Darby Hinkley Above, Studio Rubedo owner, artist and gallerist Brian Schorn sits outside of his new location at 213 W. Chisholm St. in Alpena.

“I’m just arranging random things in an interesting composition,” Donna said.

There are rules of composition that you learn at first, but the craft becomes intuitive over time.

“When you’re composing something, it’s always better to have an odd number of things than an even number of things,” he noted. “And it’s always better to not center the object in the frame. … There’s all kinds of design aspects of these that are fundamental, basic rules of art that you can follow.”

Donna said the combination of objects makes it more intriguing.

“I think the objects themselves are so interesting,” he said. “There’s kind of an incongruency that builds a little bit of tension in the image. … Why aren’t there arms on the mannequin? Why is there a brain floating in a jar of water? Why is there a jar full of doll heads and a ceramic rabbit sitting next to each other?”

He draws inspiration from photographer Joel-Peter Witkin, whose work features “crazy stuff — putting things together that you wouldn’t necessarily see together,” Donna said.

He encourages everyone to take an art class at ACC.

Studio Rubedo owner, artist and gallerist Brian Schorn said Donna is the perfect example of the contemporary artists he is trying to feature in his gallery.

“This particular gallery, the Sun Gallery at Studio Rubedo, is dedicated to solo exhibitions of local, regional and national artists,” he said. “In particular, work that is, for the most part, not seen in Alpena. And also, work that is done in a contemporary manner.”

Schorn appreciates Donna’s work because “It poses questions and creates an interesting visual experience for the viewer, and it’s contemporary in nature.”

He said Studio Rubedo offers a unique solo space for contemporary artists to show their work.

All the artwork in the gallery is for sale. Donna’s work is in the Sun Gallery, and currently, Schorn’s work is in the Moon Gallery, right inside when you walk in.

“Another aspect of why I’m doing this is to educate the community,” Schorn said. “This provides an educational opportunity for people to understand the mechanics of contemporary art, and its value.”

He added of Donna’s photos, “They’re different, and that’s precisely why I want to show them.”

Call Schorn at 989-657-9403.

He said the new location offers more space, visibility, foot traffic and proximity to the other galleries.