FOLDING IN COLOR: ORIGAMI LANDSCPAES Exhibit on View at University of Michigan Gifts of Art Gallery thru 4/8

Artist Linda Stephen's origami collage landscapes are featured for two months in a solo exhibit "Folding in Color: Origami Landscapes" at the University of Michigan Health System's Gifts of Art Gallery. The exhibit, which includes more than a dozen artworks, opens in February and runs through Monday April 8, 2013.

The gallery is located on the second floor of the main University Hospital at 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI. The exhibit is free and open to the public daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Linda Stephen's origami bas relief landscapes incorporate elements of the Japanese textile arts of origami (paper folding), oshi-e (paintings from quilted silk scraps) and chigiri-e (painting with paper). Each piece incorporates Japanese washi, yuzen fabric papers, handmade papers and original origami 3D sculptures.

Stephen lived and worked in Japan as a teacher and translator for seven years. She first went to Japan on a scholarship from the State of Michigan to study at the Japan Center for Michigan Universities.

Seeing origami as a metaphor for hope, she is inspired by nature - from the bustle of farmers markets, to cranes circling a snowy corn field, to children skipping in the rain. Linda Stephen's origami art landscapes are part of public and private collections across the U.S. and Japan, from the JW Marriott Grand Rapids' Sister City Collection to the City Hall in Omihachiman, Shiga, Japan.

"I am honored to be a part of the University of Michigan Health System's Gifts of Art program in 2013," said artist Linda Stephen. "I am influenced visually by nature, and I am inspired by the joys of life and the preciousness of each place and day and season. I hope that patients, families and medical staff will find a moment of peace in these colorful, detailed origami collage artworks."

Gifts of Art brings the world of art and music to patients, visitors and staff at the University of Michigan Health System. One of the first of its kind nationwide, this comprehensive program has been developed to enhance the Health System's commitment to providing an enriching and comforting environment to assist the healing process. For more information or to purchase art, visit Gifts of Art at www.med.umich.edu/goa or call 734-936-ARTS.

Linda Stephen's origami collage landscapes are part of private and public collections across the U.S. and Japan including hotels, opera houses, schools, businesses, and city halls from Lincoln, Neb. to San Diego to Japan. She presents community workshops across North America for cities, nonprofits, health and hospitality clients and recently completed collaborative artworks for the Big Rapids Festival of the Arts and Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska. Commissioned projects include an animated origami dollar bill commercial for Tobacco Free Nebraska and the JW Marriott Hotel's "Sister City" collection in Grand Rapids, Mich. See online gallery and upcoming events at www.lindastephen.com or Facebook - LindaStephenOrigamiArt.