EXHIBIT HALL ARCHIVES

Canyons of the Southwest
November 12, 2009 – January 10, 2010
The intriguing rock-carved canyons of the southwestern United States have long been the subject of painters and photographers. Our state’s own dramatic Grand Canyon has been a muse for legions of artists who have attempted to capture its changing moods, transforming colors and forms. Our exhibit included paintings, fiber art, photography and works in a variety of media that explored specific southwestern canyons, or express a sense of canyon spaces in abstract and imaginative works.

Day of the Dead: Ancient Roots/Contemporary Expressions
August 27 – November 8, 2009
Tohono Chul Park’s exhibit Días de los Muertos: Ancient Roots/Contemporary Expressions showcased a versatile array of art works created by 39 regional artists paying homage to this observance. A heartfelt home shrine was displayed along with our ever–popular Community Ofrenda/Altar created by guest artist Hank Tusinski, which allowed visitors to participate by leaving a token memento in tribute for their departed loved ones. Also presented were fanciful and moving contemporary paintings, photographs, quilts, and artful works that link us as human beings in dealing with death, loss and remembrance.

Dr. John Schaefer – The Desert Illuminated
December 10, 2009 – January 19, 2010
A Desert Illuminated is an apt description for John P. Schaefer’s series of eye-popping larger-than-life images of flowering cacti. Combining his lifelong love of photography with his appreciation of desert plants, Schaefer gives us an insect’s eye view. Zeroing in with microscopic accuracy on delicate and velvety paper-thin flower petals dusted with yellow pollen and contrasting cactus thorns, he allows us to see the wonders of the desert in minute detail. By using a black backdrop and printing the images in large format, he heightens the dramatic impact of each brilliant orange, yellow, red and purple blossom, revealing their exotic beauty.
Wish You Were Here -
Fiber Art Postcards
September 14 – November 16, 2009
How often have we scribbled that on the back of a vacation postcard mailed to the folks back home? Wish You Were Here: Fiber Art Postcards, was TCP’s second non-juried exhibit of postcards made by artists who work with fiber-based media such as quilting, weaving, papermaking, embroidery and other fiber art and surface design methods. In a similar manner as tourist postcards, these miniature artworks documented real or imagined trips, experiences or events in the state of Arizona. Artists living anywhere in the world were invited to create postcards and mail them to our gallery during the month of July without the protection of an envelope, adding an element of risk to the exhibit concept.

Wish You Were Here displayed the imaginative postcards in a playful manner, clipped to lines draped and suspended them across the gallery ceiling, so that viewers could view both sides of the postcards. A color catalog of all the postcards was available for sale.