NDSU visual arts professor Kent Kapplinger’s solo exhibition, “Beneath the Surface,” was inspired by news articles which address oil development in western North Dakota and react to benefits and pitfalls from the region’s recent increased activity.

In several of the pieces, Kapplinger returned to his sign-painting roots, creating unique large scale works that incorporate hand lettering, screen printing and wordplay based on corporate logos.

Kapplinger’s exhibition was part of an Americas 2012: Paperworks “Best of Show” award and ran through Feb. 7 at the Northwest Art Center in Harnett Hall at Minot State University in Minot, N.D.

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation’s top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.