Thirty American
artists from throughout the U.S. just returned from a field trip to
San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico, where they were working to produce a body
of work for a museum exhibition entitled The Sea of Cortez, scheduled
to premiere at The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Art Institute from
March 16 through June 2, 2013. Field Trip transportation was made
possible by The Susan Kathleen Black Foundation and Glenn and Martha
Thompson.
Participating
artists included: Linda Bittner, Carel Pieter Brest van Kempen, DeVere
Burt, Andrew Denman, Kim Diment, Kim Duffek, Cathy Ferrell, Susan
Fisher (who also serves as Director of The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Art Institute), Susan Fox, Mary Garrish, Ann Geise, Shawn Gould, Mary
Helsaple, Heiner Hertling, John Kobald, Molly Moore, Deian Moore,
John Pitcher, Don Rambadt, Paul Rhymer, Rebecca Richman, Carolyn Thome,
Christine Sarazin, Rachelle Siegrist, Wes Siegrist, Martha Thompson,
Sue Westin, Ronnie Williford, and Nicholas Wilson. (John Agnew, who
had to withdraw from the field trip for medical attention, will still
participate in the exhibit.)
The Sea of Cortez
field trip was organized by David J. Wagner, L.L.C. Leading the field
trip was Richard C. Brusca, Ph.D., who serves as a member of the Science
Faculty at the University of Arizona. Recently retired from the Arizona-Sonora
Desert Museum where he directed the ASDM Press and served as ASDM
Senior Director of Conservation & Science, Dr. Brusca is widely
recognized as a leading authority on Sea of Cortez studies.
The Sea of Cortez
exhibition will include plein air paintings, botanical illustrations,
sketch books with journal entries, wildlife paintings and sculptures,
photographs, and other media. Serving as Curator for the exhibition
is David J. Wagner, Ph.D., who also serves as Curator/Tour Director
for Art and the Animal of The Society of Animal Artists, and Blossom
~ Art of Flowers sponsored by The Susan Kathleen Black Foundation.
The Sea of Cortez
will premiere at The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Art Institute. The
sea is central to its mission, as explained on its Sonoran Desert
Studies webpage: "the Sea of Cortez divides the land portion
of the Sonoran Desert into two halves, the Baja California Peninsula
on the west, and the states of Arizona and Sonora [Mexico] to the
east . . . The coast of The Sea of Cortez (also known as the Gulf
of California) is characterized by 300 estuaries and other wetlands
. . . a unique ecosystem that is home to a rich community of plant
and animal life. They are key components of the Gulf's marine food
web, generating primary production and releasing nutrients to the
sea, and serving as breeding and nursery grounds for numerous fish,
invertebrate, and bird species, and even some marine mammals and reptiles."
The Sea of Cortez
exhibition will focus on the flora and fauna that inhabit the environments
around San Carlos, Mexico, including the sea's incredible marine life,
the region's desert topography, the Estero el Soldado mangroves (one
of the most pristine lagoons left in the Gulf), Nacapule Canyon, and
scenic overlooks such as Mirador with sweeping vistas, sheer cliffs
and the sea below.
The Sea of Cortez
is available for display in 2013 and 2014 at museums nationwide. The
exhibition is being produced by David J. Wagner, L.L.C. For further
information contact call (414) 221-6878 or email davidjwagnerllc@yahoo.com
Abaco
Hogfish
