A new exhibit at the Milwaukee Art Musuem allows visitors to take a trip to the North Woods, without actually having to make the journey there.

"Magnetic North: The Landscapes of Tom Uttech" features 60 paintings and 30 photographs of the North Woods. Uttech's work was mostly inspired by the northern woods of Wisconsin, but also by his travels to Minnesota and Canada.

The former University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee art professor dedicated himself to his artwork in the late 90s and paints mostly by memory. He soaks in the environment around him and paints from the experience in nature rather than making specific sketches. He recently has taken up creating custom frames for his later pieces.

The exhibit was part of the musuem's summer "Celebration of Nature." It incorporates the Uttech exhibition and an exhibition in the collection galleries — Judy Pfaff – Gregory Conniff: Camera and Ink," according to an e-mail from Vicky Reddin, MAM's communications manager.

The "Judy Pfaff – Gregory Conniff: Camera and Ink" exhibition has come to a close, but Uttech's work will be on displayed until the beginning of October.

"The exhibition is free with general admission, a great deal at only $4 for students," Reddin said. "This is a great chance to see the work of a nationally-recognized Wisconsin artist."

"Magnetic North: The Landscapes of Tom Uttech" runs until Oct. 3 at the Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Drive. For more information, visit the museum online at www.mam.org.