An engaged and attentive audience gathered in The Gallery at Penn College on Thursday evening for a Meet the Artist reception featuring Zahra Nazari and her exhibit “Transformation.” Nazari shared stories of her childhood growing up in Iran and her explorations as an artist living in America. Based in Manhattan, Nazari’s creative work is flourishing via numerous awards, grants and fellowships. A fan of architecture, she draws inspiration for her paintings from New York City’s modern designs and blends those sensibilities with the ancient structures of her homeland. Cultural change, shifting environments and the energy inherent in cities fold into her abstract pieces. “Transformation” is on display through March 2 and is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 2-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; and 1-4 p.m. Sundays (closed Mondays and Saturdays).