By Megan Carradine/south news editor

Women In New Roles celebrated its 32nd anniversary and helped bring in Women’s History Month last week with a new art exhibit displayed in the Carillon Gallery on South Campus.

The theme for the exhibit and the South Campus Women’s History Month celebration is Redefining Ourselves — Reclaim, Regain, Renew.

Women in New Roles is a college credit program designed to assist women with the transition of returning to school. Its mission is to empower, encourage and support women as they enroll in college and attempt to reach their personal, educational and career goals.

Lynda Effertz is one of the founders of the annual WINR art show.

“I started this art show back in 1989 to express who we are as women,” she said.

Student Ronna Stenger, who has pieces in the exhibit, said she joined the NE Campus WINR program for career direction and to take a step back from reality. After a sour divorce, she decided to turn her life around and plunge into something that would make her happy.

“Before I create anything, I pray and ask God to help me represent something like you,” she said. “Everything I create has meaning.”

Trish Light, South campus psychology associate professor and WINR art show coordinator, said the art displayed this year is “fantastic.” The exhibit includes photographs, sculptures, oil paintings and other works.

Former art teacher Nina Willacy has photographs on display. She said she takes photographs for fun. On a trip to Central America, she saw beautiful flowers that she had to capture on film. She is currently retired and starting her own business in interior decorating.

Student Rhonda Dye says her favorite piece of art is “Flowers on a Window Sill,” which she made with acrylic. Dye said life is her inspiration.

“I love life and color and mixing different colors together to see what new shade I can come up with,” she said. “This is my inspiration.”

The gallery, located in the Joe B. Rushing Center for Performing Arts, is open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. until March 4.