Trekking Arizona by Postcard

Sunday, 25 October 2009 23:02

Traveling to all the landmarks in the state of Arizona can be difficult to accomplish in one day, but at Tohono Chul Park’s new exhibit, that goal is easily attainable, although in an abstract way.

In their exhibit “Wish You Were Here: Fiber Art Postcards” that began Sept. 10 and runs through Nov. 16, visitors to the Tucson, Ariz. park are able to take a journey through 174 artists’ fiber art postcards of real or imagined places, trips, events, or experiences in Arizona.

This is the second time they have had the exhibit, said Peggy Hazard, assistant exhibit curator at Tohono Chul Park.

“We think of exhibit ideas from our passions, and I love postcards and am a quilter,” said Hazard of her inspiration for the first exhibit in 2006.

The response from artists was fantastic according to Hazard, with 215 postcards received and displayed in the original exhibit.

The requirements were very simple. The postcards should be 4” x 6” and sent without an envelope. The front of the card had to depict any scene, real or imaginary, in Arizona that used a variety of fiber art techniques such as quilting, weaving, embroidery, and handmade paper.

“The reactions to the exhibit are amazing,” said Hazard. “People are amazed by the fiber arts.”

Vicki Donkersley, curator of exhibitions at Tohono Chul Park, emphasized how incredible it is that the art is on postcards that were sent normally through the mail.

“[Visitors] like hearing where the postcards come from,” said Donkersley. “This years exhibit came from a wide range of artists, an 8-year-old boy made one as well as a professional artist, and Peggy and I each made one too.”

The postcard exhibit fits perfectly with Tohono Chul Park’s mission of providing a space for nature, culture and art to connect, explained Hazard.

Tohono Chul Park, which means "desert corner" in Tohono O’odham, was formed as a non-profit conservation project at the corner of Oracle Road and West Ina Road, just over 24 years ago.

Throughout the years, the park has grown from a couple houses and gardens into a 37-acre desert preserve, with three nature trails, an education center, multiple galleries and exhibit halls, and lush gardens for display, education, and sale, in addition to the popular tea room.

In the exhibition hall right next to the gallery where the postcard exhibit is displayed, there is an exhibit featuring art that relates to Dia de los Muertos, known in English as Day of the Dead.

It is the eighth time in 18 years that Tohono Chul Park has had an exhibit featuring Day of the Dead artwork according to Donkersley, who organized the exhibit.

"It started as me wanting a way to honor my father and embrace that whole concept," said Donkersley. "Eighteen years ago this was a very new idea, but as people understood what it was about they had the same feelings I did."

The exhibit features Day of the Dead art from all over the country made by a variety of artists.

"I posted a call out for submissions, and I also asked artists that I knew if they'd be interested in creating something," explained Donkersley. "A lot of the art in the exhibit is artists paying homage to their loved ones."

The highlight of the exhibit is a community altar that was built by an artist for the show. It displays both traditional Mexican art as well as the artists own personal ideas. In the center there is a place for members of the community to submit their own thoughts, prayers, and memories.

"All of the work represents an appreciation for the rich cultural legacy, we were once part of Mexico," said Donkersley.

Upcoming exhibits that will be installed in the exhibit hall and gallery will be "Canyons of the Southwest" and "Holiday for the Park: Ornaments," both starting in mid-November.

Want to know more about DeJohn's trips and adventures follow him on Twitter @DejohnR.

Written by DeJohn Rose You are reading Trekking Arizona by Postcard articles