“Flames and Muses” by Stephen Haley can be seen along with more than 50 other pieces of his artwork at the Butler Art Center in the Members' Gallery.

A new exhibit in the Members' Gallery at the Butler Art Center will feature the work of Stephen Haley of Butler.

The show opens Friday and will run through Oct. 30.

The 2005 Butler High School graduate said he was originally influenced by art teacher Jon Pugliese to start on the path that would lead him to the way he makes a living today.

Pugliese, who retired after 21 years at the high school level in the Butler School District, recently showed his own artwork at the Art Center.

Haley said: “There was only one other teacher who really influenced me and that was David Ludwick when I attended BC3 (Butler County Community College).”

Coincidentally, BC3's fine arts instructor has an exhibit showing in the Mary Hulton Phillips Gallery on campus through Oct. 26.

Haley also attended Edinboro University.

He paints in oils predominantly but also uses pastels a bit and charcoals as well. His work results in mostly florals and landscape paintings, he said.

“My favorite places in the world are Moraine State Park and McConnells Mill,” he said. “The rock climbing section (at McConnells Mill) is my favorite.”

He said he has translated the rocks to canvas many times.

His paintings in the Art Center exhibit include “A Winter's Passing,” “The Waste in Haste,” “From Above,” “Amber Clamor” and “Sleepy Hollow.”

Haley also works in pottery, and there will be nine pieces of it in the show.

“That's what made me want to create with every breath I take,” Haley said. “I mostly sell paintings. When I make pottery it's very hard for me to want to sell it. I didn't think it would ever, ever be that hard when people want to buy it, but people like what they like.”

The exhibit in the Members' Gallery features 57 pieces altogether.

He also has a couple paintings in the Invitational Show at the Art Center.

Haley has shown his work at wineries, floral shops, and stores throughout Western Pennsylvania. His art is also hanging on walls in 12 states.

The one message he wants to get across is this: Everyone can and should try art.

“I want everyone to realize that you do not have to be able to draw every single hair on a cheetah or feather on a bird ... I just want everybody to experience what I have experienced,” Haley said.

“I will probably never change the world. But maybe someone who sees one of my paintings will be inspired enough to create or do something that will change the world.”