The Herberger Theater Center Announces Free Public Reception After Opening of OBSERVANCE

The Herberger Theater Center (HTC), located at 222 E. Monroe in downtown Phoenix, invites the public to the free opening reception for Organic Observance, a guest curator exhibit featuring Kim Walker, on First Friday, February 1, 5:30-7:00pm. Meet the artist; enjoy music and no-host bar in Bob's Spot Lounge.

Walker's mixed-media paintings incorporate pressed flowers and natural elements. Beginning in December of 1999, in an attempt to assuage her grief over the incredibly sad and untimely death of her mother, Kim took almost daily walks that inspired her style. When asked about this inspiration, Kim said, One day while resting on a mountain trail a breeze wrapped around me and it felt like a hug. I looked up and all around and it became crystal clear that nature reflects not just beauty but also hope and inspiration and healing as well as many metaphoric lessons that can touch all of our lives in profound and limitless ways. We are all warmed by the same sun and held by the same gravity. I knew I wanted to share these feelings as well as the actual botanicals with the world. I stopped many times on my walk home that day and picked up random botanic elements not knowing how, but still knowing these elements would become part of my art.

Kim continues to evolve her processes of the inclusion of actual botanicals in her art, each day making new discoveries in her studio. She also writes an original poem for each painting to further express her reverent gratitude for the gifts of nature. Kim's art is represented in galleries and juried and invitational exhibits nationwide and is included in private, corporate, and municipal collections all over the world. Kim Walker is an internationally recognized artist, mother of four, grandmother of six, and loving wife and holds a B.F.A. degree in Painting from The Katherine K. Herberger College of Fine Arts at Arizona State University.

The artwork is on display and available for purchase through February 25. A portion of each sale benefits the HTC's Youth Outreach Programs. Sponsored by Billie Jo and Judd Herberger, the Herberger Theater Gallery is a self-funded exhibition program that promotes contemporary art by Arizona artists. Gallery hours are weekdays, 10:00am-5:00pm, during performances and by appointment. HerbergerTheater.org/art-gallery/

Park for $6 at the Arizona Center (Fillmore/Fifth Street) weekdays, after 5pm. Purchase validation at the Herberger Theater Box Office before the reception. For information, contact Laurene Austin at 602-254-7399, Ext. 105 or laustin@HerbergerTheater.org.

The Herberger Theater is a 501(c)(3) Arizona non-profit organization that supports and fosters growth of the arts in Phoenix as the premier performance venue, arts incubator and advocate. Opened in 1989 and fully renovated in 2010, the Herberger Theater offers three theater venues, art gallery, plaza and rentable event space for a variety of community uses. The Herberger Theater hosts a diverse range of dramatic, dance and musical performances; is home to local theater and dance companies; its gallery provides a venue for Arizona artists to present their works; and a plaza that hosts civic and arts events. Proceeds from annual fundraising benefits its Youth Outreach Programs, designed to give Arizona children (ages 3-19) opportunities to excel, learn and heal through experience with the arts. Over the last 29 years, four million patrons have enjoyed more than 15,000 performances at the Herberger Theater. HerbergerTheater.org

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