Whenever I go to an art exhibit or museum, I find myself standing in front of a few interesting pieces wishing I had insight into the artist’s creative process. If you have experienced similar moments, this Friday is your lucky day. Nationally known mother/daughter artists Judy Onofrio and Jennifer Onofrio Fornes will be at the South Dakota Art Museum Friday, Oct. 19 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. for a reception with a panel discussion at 5:30 p.m.

“Judy Onofrio is a cancer survivor whose work used to be vibrant, color pieces and then after her cancer treatments, she began incorporating animal bones into her sculptures,” said Stacy Buehner, marketing development coordinator at the museum.

Onofrio is a self-taught artist who has had her sculptures and mixed-media art exhibited nationally and internationally Her work has been acknowledged by numerous grants and awards

Onofrio Fornes earned a B.F.A from the University of Wisconsin. She has a history of teaching; she taught drawing, sculpture, installation and photography at the University of Minnesota and teaches photography, 3-D design, and world humanities in Augusta, Georgia.

“The daughter’s photography is spiritual looking, but what I find interesting is how she develops the images: she wraps herself in gauze and then photographs herself in different positions,” said Buehner.

I’m not an artist myself, but I was intrigued by Onofrio Fornes photography the last time I visited the museum and found myself still thinking about them days later. I can’t wait to hear about the inspiration and process behind those haunting images from the artist.

If you can’t make the reception, you might want to check out the exhibit another time. It will be on display at the museum until Jan. 6, 2013.