Vitality. The bold colors and graphic compositions of Columbus landmarks and scenery at the Terra Gallery scream it. From oil paintings of Goodale Park and the Wonder Bread sign to images of Columbus skyscrapers, the gallery’s latest exhibit, New Columbus Show, features Central Ohio artists whose work is inspired by their city.

“The artists were trying to depict the feel of Ohio landscape,” says Ashley Klein, gallery director at Terra Gallery. “We didn’t have specific guidelines for artists, but it turns out that while we were collecting the work we were seeing bright colors. Vitality is represented very literally by the palette the artists chose to use.”

Most of the works in the show are oil paintings, but there is also some drawings, print, and sculptures. Jeff Hersey, owner of Terra Gallery says that the images of classic Columbus icons such as the Greek Orthodox Church, the Short North area and the Rose Garden celebrate the diversity of the Columbus area.

“As a city, Columbus unites different landscapes such as farmlands, urban life and downtown in a way that is visible here. We have an equal amount of all scenes represented and the way we hung the work shows that there is a collage in Columbus,” Klein says.

Several of the featured artists graduated from The Ohio State University finer arts program, and some have other work in the gallery and paint on-site all over Columbus. There are a few self-taught artists as well.

“The artists that created the works for the show are local and tried to point to less-obvious landmarks that residents would know, but visitors might not,” Klein says.

New Columbus Show is open free to the public until Aug. 26. Hours are Monday through Thursday, noon to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday, noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. The Terra Gallery is located at 8 E. Poplar Ave. in the Short North.

For more information and to view gallery pictures, visit the gallery Web site at www.terra-gallery.com or call 614-228-4188.