Photographer Lisa Garness Mallory’s etched photographic prints pick up on the transformation theme of the new play at Town Hall Arts Center: “Casa Valentina,” which opens on Jan. 11, as does this exhibit. It runs until Feb. 3 and readers are invited to meet the artist at a reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 18. Mallory’s exhibit is called “Vibrant Transformations: A Series of Photo Etchings.”

(In the play, a group of heterosexual men — business types during the week — spend weekends at a safe spot in the Catskills, dressed/transformed as, and behaving like, women. The play is based on a true story of a like vacation spot that existed in the popular New York State resort area.)

Mallory adds extra light and texture to her photographs with a technique she developed in 2009. She uses needles and wood carving tools to etch on her printed photographs — printed on high-quality paper, canvas or metal. At times, she seems to emphasize lines in the composition and at another time, she may go “outside the lines,” creating whole new elements in the image. Visitors will want to allow time to look from several angles when they visit the Stanton Gallery, to catch the lighting effects.

An award-winning photographer who has exhibited nationally and internationally, Mallory credits survival of two life-threatening illnesses with making her even more intense about her artwork.

Readers may have seen a program on Rocky Mountain PBS’ “Art District” program — available on her website: lisagarnessart.weebly.com.