The Department of Art and Art History presents “The Expressive Nude: Sculpture and Drawings by John Belardo,” Nov. 15 through Dec. 16. The show’s opening reception will be held 7-9 p.m. Nov.  15 in the Rice Gallery in Peterson Hall.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. For information and hours, call 410-857-2595.

Belardo’s sculptures and drawings blend contemporary and classical approaches to art. He works with traditional and modern materials: from stone carving to digital modeling.

“I am inspired by the themes of science and religion to describe the reality of my human experience and transcend the bounds of my distinctiveness,” Belardo said. “My current body of work deals with my function as father, husband and landowner: ideas informed by both evolutionary biology and religion.”

Universities, foundations and individuals have commissioned Belardo to complete permanent monumental portraiture and allegorical bronze sculpture. He has won numerous awards for his work, which has been shown in solo and juried exhibitions across the nation.