Artists in the Gallery

The Boyce Thompson Arboretum features monthly exhibits of local artists. They can be seen in the Visitor Center Art Gallery daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Darrell Sheppard | October

October 2018 marks the third consecutive year that Boyce Thompson Arboretum has hosted an exhibit of Darrell Sheppard’s acrylic landscape paintings of Arizona. “My inspiration is the astonishing clarity of light in Arizona. I love the long shadows of dawn and dusk, and the blistering intensity at high noon. I’m drawn to our giant vistas and our magnificent skies – but I also love and respect the hardihood, resilience, and variety of our desert and upland plants. I don’t paint the Grand Canyon or Sedona. I’m much more interested in the place with no name; the little dirt road in the desert, or the single alligator bark juniper or saguaro against the sky.”

Sheppard’s style has been described as graphic and direct, with an emphasis on contrast and texture. A resident of Arizona since 1972, he lives with his wife in Mesa. Darrell Sheppard’s “Meet the Artist” exhibition reception is at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum’s Visitor Center on Sunday, October 14th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.

Eirini Pajak | November

Breathtaking botanical closeups fill our visitor center gallery during November 2018, a glimpse into the art of macro photography by acclaimed Florence artist Eirini Pajak. This is an exciting year for Pajak: a frequent contributor to Arizona Highways Magazine, with a book underway and likely to be released in 2019.

Meet the artist on November 3 and discuss the art of photography during a gallery opening reception; to be on the guest list, which includes a free pass to visit the Arboretum that day, email eirinipajak@gmail.com or connect on instagram @eirinipajak.

Central Arizona College Advanced Photography Students | December

You’ll see unique takes on familiar Arboretum scenery with December’s gallery exhibit here at Boyce Thompson Arboretum: a group show by advanced photography students from Central Arizona College’s Creative Arts Department. “Our goal is to bring attention to CAC’s Digital Media Arts Program, and the two tracks: Graphic Design and Digital Photography and Video,” said show curator Sue Tatterson, Creative Arts Division Chair and faculty at CAC.

“Most importantly its about the students and giving them the opportunity to have their work exhibited outside of CAC’s student gallery. It’s a terrific opportunity for them!”

Tatterson plans a meet-the-artists reception, an opportunity for students to talk with visitors about their work for a morning or afternoon in the gallery. Connect online for the specific date/time, and to find a printable or downloadable invitation: https://www.facebook.com/cacgraphicdesign or contact her by email susan.tatterson@centralaz.edu

“Our exhibition will feature images taken by students during their field trip to BTA. Field trips with the advanced photography students are a great opportunity for me to get them out of the classroom and photographing all the Arboretum has to offer. I find it especially helpful with an assignment I give that focuses on line, shape, form, pattern and texture. The arboretum is just a delightful place to find stunning examples of all these concepts. It helps students understand the powerful role nature plays in what they often think of as man-made subject matter.”

“I really enjoy watching the students develop their own style; some are naturally drawn to black and white imagery, so you’ll definitely see some great examples of that genre; and of course, I have others who just naturally have a wonderful eye for color and again, you’ll see very strong use of color in their compositions. The show will have something for everyone!”

“The Arboretum is my favorite place to escape to when I just want to make photos for the sheer joy of making them! Lately I’ve become enamored with macro photography and BTA is the perfect environment — so many butterflies and bugs. Of course, for me there’s always the Drover’s Shed — I can never get enough. The light is always different and each time I’m there I notice something I haven’t noticed before — it’s just fun!”

“The photography program at CAC is growing. Up until this year the photography classes have been part of the graphic design degree. I’m really excited we will be offering an AAS degree in Digital photography & Video beginning Fall 2018.”

“CAC’s Digital Media Arts Degrees transfer directly to ASU’s Graphic Information Technology Program at the Polytechnic campus. Students can choose from different tracks, including commercial photography, web design and graphic design and they start the ASU program as Juniors. I’m really excited about this partnership and I have several CAC graduates going through the ASU program already. I’m also really proud of the students who have graduated from the graphic design program and are working in the industry.” Connect with Sue Tatterson and students at www.facebook.com/cacgraphicdesign or call Arboretum staff during daytime business hours at 602.827.3000.