Meet Betino Assa, Winnipeg's latest emerging visual artist.

A fourth-year student of the University of Manitoba's Fine Arts program, Assa is currently displaying his artistic aptitude at Ken Segal Gallery. His first solo exhibition, Interexterior View, explores the relationship "between people and surrounding design." It's an impressive show, made even more impressive by the fact that Assa really hasn't been on the art beat that long.

"My family immigrated here five years ago," says Assa, 24, who is originally from Burgas, Bulgaria. "I was working the first year and then was accepted into school and started in 2004. I had a different idea of going through graphic design, but then I decided to just go with the classical art side of things instead of the more commercial side."

Interexterior View displays Assa's skill in drawing, painting and sculpture, but it's printmaking that the young artist is focusing on.

"I like the graphic look of the work, the way it's created through this technique of printmaking," Assa says. "I specifically work with Plexiglass, and I scratch it and I use the Plexiglass plate as a printing plate."

Assa likes to keep the printmaking process quite simple, using the technique of drypoint, which produces prints that look quite similar to regular drawings.

"I'm not trying to create crazy pictures with the plate," Assa says. "I like the feel of hand-drawn work. I'm kind of against working with instruments that make the work looks like it's done with something else, as if its some drilling instrument or something. For instance, with acid, I can create different tones and shades. You can't do that by hand. It's done with something else. I try to stay away from that."

Check out Assa's art online at www.BetinoAssa.com or head down to Ken Segal Gallery, where Interexterior View will be on display until July 5.

Are you One to Watch? If you're an aspiring performer, actor, juggler, artist, poet, etc., tell us more about yourself. Send us an e-mail to e-mail source@uptownmag.com.