During spring break some months ago, artist Austin Given got a big idea, picked up a brush and began putting paint to canvas. As his work progressed, the physiology senior decided to take a semester hiatus in order to put together his own art exhibit.

This weekend, the culmination of Given's efforts will be realized at 7 Black Cats, 260 E. Congress St., with a multi-medium artistic expression which will include a DJ, an art showing and band performances.

The name for the show, "Paint by Number Exhibition," was derived in part because of the way Given went about constructing his work. Given, who started painting in high school, began by taking pictures with a digital camera. He then projected photographs onto a canvas.  [Read article]