The Altgeld Art galleries have been transformed visually by two internationally recognized Chicago artists.

Recent works of Bob Emser and a career retrospective of Helene Smith-Romer both will have a public reception today at their respective Altgeld galleries from 5 to 7 p.m.

“The exhibits have been open since Aug. 22, but because we didn’t want to compete with moving in, and we had work of our own to do, the reception has been moved to Sept. 8,” saidJosephine Burke, assistant director for the NIU Art Museum.

Emser’s exhibit, “Shadow Drawing,” is cut into two galleries. In one, Emser gives his architectural and sculptural treatment to the gallery space.

Emser’s exploration of internal structure is made visible by utilizing the materials and space of the gallery. His work is always unique to each location. His sculptures, made of wood, aluminum, and nylon, can be up to six feet in diameter and offer stunning studies and insights into shadow, structure, and the illusion of space.

“In the connected, but separate gallery, there will also be displayed a collection of photographs chronicling the creation of a new sculpture,” Bob Emser said.

“Emser has just returned from a summer stint as artist-in-residence at a Norway stainless-steel foundry,” Burke said. “And the photos, being set up on [Sept. 8], will be new to staff and students.”

The work of Emser has been displayed in Italy, West Germany, France and Australia’s renowned “Sculpture by the Sea” exhibit.

In Altgeld’s South Gallery, Helene Smith-Romer’s exhibit “Confessions of a Dadaist: The Era of Existence 1979-2005” has overwhelming pieces.

“Confessions” provides a strong contrast to Emser’s “Shadow Drawings.” It deals with dadaism, a form of art after World War I which defied all standing conventions.

From the negative social-trend exposing pop “Alreadymades,” part of Chicago’s “I Due Art 4 You” Museum, for whom Smith-Romer acts as curator, to the installation-esque “Conversations with Elmer,” one is visually overwhelmed by the variety of mediums and meanings in Smith-Romer’s exhibit.

“The exhibit is as much visual anthropology as it is emotionally overstimulating,” said Helene Smith-Romer.

The exhibit also displays work by the late Helene-Smith, thought to be the first female surrealist, and Madame S. Harry, a dadaist and creator of Chicago’s “I Due Art 4 You” museum.

There will be an artist gallery talk for Smith-Romer’s exhibit at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25 and Emser’s exhibit will feature an artist talk at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2.