Bright Land is on display at the Lee Dam Center for Fine Art.

The exhibit features the work of Virgil Penner of Newton, Kansas. Many people know Penner for his detailed ink drawings of homes and buildings. In this exhibit, viewers will see another side of his work through paintings that are bright, colorful and touched with whimsy.

Since retiring in 2009 as CEO of the Newton Chamber of Commerce, Penner has returned to painting. His work continues to evolve as he refines his techniques and explores different approaches, not aiming for strict realism but for something more expressive and imaginative.

Penner has worked in many media over the years as both an illustrator and a fine artist. He is especially drawn to beauty in his subject matter and describes painting as a joyful experience.