Photo Flash: Sneak Peek - Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum's Five Exhibitions by Emerging and International Artists

Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum presents five new curated exhibitions showcasing contemporary work by emerging and internationally recognized artists.Exhibitions will be celebrated at a free reception, Friday, May 9, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. in the museum courtyard. The reception will feature musical entertainment by Bluesman Mike and The Blues Review Band, light refreshments and an opportunity to meet the artists. Scroll down for a sneak peek at some of the art!

Exhibitions opening on or after April 4 include: Boundless: The Book Transformed in Contemporary Art; Fold, Paper Scissors; In/Visible; Turning the Page: Sculpture by Marilyn da Silva; Metal and Beyond.

Boundless: The Book Transformed in Contemporary Art (April 4 - August 10, 2014), challenges the traditional purpose of books by transforming them into three-dimensional sculptures. The book as artifact preserves our literary culture, and it can be revered as a work of art on its own. By physically altering their appearance, artists in this exhibition will bestow each book with a new life and meaning.

Featured artists include Doug Beube, Long-Bin Chen, Melissa Jay Craig, Casey Curran, Brian Dettmer, Liz Hamman, Andrew Hayes, Guy Laramée, Jacqueline Rush Lee, Dan Mayer, Alex Queral, Isaac G. Salazar, Mike Stilkey, Julia Strand, Margaret Whiting.

In/Visible (April 25 - August 10, 2014), an installation by Colorado artist Sara Rockinger, will feature three-dimensional translucent figures that are layered with embroidery, silk screen and video projection. Local interviews and video footage will be projected onto the figurative forms, to create a haunting experience that explores overlapping issues like race, immigration, US history, personal history and invisibility.

Turning the Page: Sculpture by Marilyn da Silva (April 25 - August 10, 2014). Marilyn da Silva's trademark surface treatment of gesso and colored pencil creates a rich palette for her metal sculptures and wearable pieces. Using representational imagery such as books, birds, houses and more, the intricate works in this exhibition will offer layered narratives.

Fold, Paper Scissors (May 2 - August 10, 2014) will showcase works that range from complex and precisely cut paper "drawings," to mathematically mind-boggling folds, to works created from a single sheet of paper. The artists in this exhibition will push the boundaries of this sparse material far beyond the limits of its everyday purpose.

Metal and Beyond: A Life Work of Creativity (May 9 - August 10, 2014) will celebrate an Arizona icon in the metals field, Betsy Douglas. Her illustrious career spans far more than five decades. From her sleek, modern silver designs to computer circuit board jewelry, this exhibition will capture the diversity of a body of work resulting from a 35-year career.

Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum is located on the Mesa Arts Center campus at One East Main Street in downtown Mesa. Admission is free, and visiting hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours on Thursday until 8 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum front desk: 480-644-6567.

The Mesa Arts Center, owned and operated by the City of Mesa, is a unique, architecturally stunning facility located in the heart of downtown Mesa. Arizona's largest artscenter is home to four theaters, five art galleries, and 14 art studios. The Mesa Arts Center mission is to inspire people through engaging arts experiences that are diverse, accessible, and relevant. Mesa Arts Center has received numerous awards and accolades including the "2012 Venue of Excellence" by the International Association of Venue Managers. The 2013-2014 Performing Live Series is sponsored by Arizona Commission on the Arts. For more information, visit mesaartscenter.com.

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