Loyola Marymount University's Laband Art Gallery presents dual color photography exhibits "Land of the Thunder Dragon," featuring recent work by John Berthold of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, and "Favela: Images from the Fringe of Rio" by Charles Evans, Jr. from Feb. 18 to March 20.

A reception for Berthold, Evans and their exhibitions will take place Feb. 14 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend free of charge.

Since 1998, San Francisco photographer John Berthold has traveled and documented the various regions of the Himalayan Mountains in China and India. He was introduced to Bhutan, a restricted and remote traditional country known as the "Land of Thunder Dragon."

Berthold is among the few permitted to enter Bhutan to photograph traditional Buddhist festivals called tshechus. He photographed Bhutanese Buddhist traditions, monastic life, annual religious festivals, routines in mountain villages and the unspoiled natural beauty of the Himalayan kingdom.

Los Angeles photographer Charles Evans, Jr. visited Brazil in 1995 and photographed life in the favelas, or shantytowns, on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. Visiting the favela do Gramacho, Evans encountered a sprawling suburban settlement whose entire economy is based upon recycling trash and discarded industrial materials. Such co-operatives are often affiliated with church or non-governmental charity organizations.

Hours for the Laband Art Gallery are noon to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday. The university is located at 1 LMU Drive in Los Angeles.