The Rosetta Stone Bookstore will transform from the average strip mall shop into a giant book tonight.

The bookstore, located in the Campus Shopping Center, is hosting a picture gallery throughout March featuring the work of local photographer Michael F. Coles. An opening ceremony with food and refreshments is from 6 to 8 p.m.

“It’s basically going to be like a big picture book inside a bookstore,” Coles said.

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He said the images represent him and the way the world sees him. Coles said he hopes to fit about 30 images into the store, along with the stories he writes for each picture.

He said each photograph has a story, making his gallery seem like a giant picture book. Coles said he hopes to separate the pictures into sections such as people, scenery and nature.

Store owner Jessica Bradshaw said she lets the artist decide how to display his work so the bookstore is an empty canvas for Coles.

Coles runs a studio, called ADKOI Photography, out of the front of his apartment across from the Liberty Theatre in Murphysboro.

But the Anna-Jonesboro Community High School graduate has not always been in Illinois. The Mexico City native also lived in Texas and Colorado as a child.

He said his travels, including a recent 21-day trip to the west coast and Canada, heavily influence his work.

“Everywhere that I wanted to stop, I stopped,” Coles said. “I didn’t really care how long this road trip took me. I was going to stop wherever I wanted to take pictures of whatever I wanted.”

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Pictures from his trip, Mexico and portraits taken at his studio will be included in the gallery, he said. Coles is a big fan of concerts and much of the work he has done while attending shows will also be in display.

He said he decided to show his work at Rosetta Stone because Bradshaw gives a lot of support to local artists.

“The day she bought the place is the day I asked her whether or not I could set stuff up,” Coles said.

Bradshaw said she was excited about displaying Coles’ photographs because of the array of genres he presents.

Coles said his inspiration comes from anything that catches his eye.

“Just anything that’s worth capturing, I’ll do it,” Coles said.

Most of the images will be for sale, except for ones that have deep personal meaning, he said. Those that will be for sale range in price from $60 to $350, depending on the size and what they mean to the artist.

Coles said there is one photograph titled “Deception” that will sell for about $1,500.

[email protected] 536-3311 ext. 262