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ASU public art exhibit celebrates nature, community


AAA spring 2015 UCENT lobby
February 12, 2015

The natural world has engaged the senses and imaginations of artists, scientists and amateurs throughout history.

Celebrating a love of collecting, cataloging, preserving and understanding the natural world, and the human desire to share this insight with others, Arizona State University is launching its Action, Advocacy, Arts spring 2015 exhibit.

Organized by ASU's College of Public Service and Community Solutions, the exhibit provides community organizations and individuals the opportunity to share valuable visual art stories with more than 8,000 people in the downtown ASU community.

The exhibit includes works of various media, including paintings, collages, pencil drawings and sculpture, and was created out of a desire to celebrate nature, says Carrie Tovar, curator of art in the College of Public Service and Community Solutions.

“I hoped that the exhibit would act as encouragement to observe the world around us and to record all of its wonders and intricacies," Tovar said. "The exhibit shares the explorations of nature seen through artists’ eyes.”

One of those artists is Jennifer Henry.

“ASU’s community arts program encourages local artists to showcase their work in an academic setting,” said Henry. “The themes of the exhibits represent a range of artistic talent, art styles and artwork from artists of all levels, as well as being an inspiration for creativity.”

The exhibit is a special opportunity particularly for new artists, such as ASU undergraduate student Heidi Horchler, to share their work while also feeling part of a community.

“I know that as an artist one of the best things you can do is to get your work out there so people can see it,” said  Horchler, who is a student in ASU's Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. “Not only does a new audience get exposed to your work, but you also gain the opportunity to meet others in your local art community, see work and get inspired by other artists, and gain professional experience.”

The exhibit is on display through May 9 on the first, second and third floors of the University Center building on ASU's Downtown Phoenix campus. The gallery is free to view and open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except for holidays.

Guided tours may be arranged by contacting Carrie Tovar at carrie.tovar@asu.edu.

For more on Action, Advocacy, Arts, visit publicservice.asu.edu/action-advocacy-arts.