Presence Pending Exhibition by Dan Sorensen

Temple College Visual Arts is pleased to present Presence Pending, a solo exhibition of drawings and paintings by artist Dan Sorensen. The exhibition explores human presence, perception, and psychological atmosphere through carefully observed portraiture and figurative realism.

Sorensen’s work captures subtle moments of posture, gaze, and physical tension, revealing how individuals both reveal and withhold themselves in social encounters. Rather than offering fixed narratives or explicit emotional cues, his paintings invite ambiguity, encouraging viewers to complete the meaning through their own interpretations, assumptions, and emotional responses. Through restraint, lighting, composition, and gesture, Sorensen creates intimate encounters that heighten awareness of how we perceive personality, connection, and presence.

The exhibition runs from February 21 through April 2 at the Michael Donahue Gallery. A public opening reception will be held on February 21 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

Artist Talk
Sorensen will also host an Artist Talk on April 2 in Room 103 and 104 of the Workforce and Visual Arts Building. This event offers students and community members an opportunity to engage directly with the artist’s process and practice.

About the Artist
Dan Sorensen received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Brigham Young University–Idaho and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Idaho. His practice centers on drawing from observation and painting from life, using disciplined realism to explore perception, presence, and human connection. He currently serves as Department Chair of Visual and Performing Arts at Odessa College.