Prelude to the 7th Annual Tucson J Sculpture Garden Exhibition And Reception

Rotraut Exhibit to Open at the Tucson J Fine Art Gallery,

March 8 – April 13

Prelude to the 7^th Annual Tucson J Sculpture Garden Exhibition and Reception Sunday, April 10

March 7, 2016 – Tucson, Arizona – International artist and sculptor, Rotraut (Rotraut Klein Moquay), brings a special exhibition of small sculpture and works on paper at the Tucson Jewish Community Center Fine Art Gallery from March 8 – April 13, 2016.

Rotraut’s exhibit heralds The J’s 7^th Annual Sculpture Garden Exhibition, which opens April 10. The opening reception will honor Rotraut; the twelve artists in this year’s juried show; and the family of Norma Lewis, who has recently made a generous donation of the late sculptor’s work to the Garden’s permanent collection.

Events on April 10 include a brunch and artists’ talk from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The brunch benefits the Garden and tickets are $50. A free public reception will be held from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Please RSVP for the brunch to (520) 299-3000.

About Rotraut

Born in East Germany in 1938, Rotraut spent much of her life and career in France. In her late teens, she met and married Yves Klein, and was his wife, muse and collaborator before his untimely death in 1962.

In the 1980’s, Rotaut and her current husband, Daniel Moquay, an internationally-known art curator, moved to the Phoenix area with their children and for almost four decades, their Paradise Valley home has served as the base for her robust international career. Her work is regularly on exhibit at Art Basel (in both Basel and Miami) and she mounts several shows a year in Australia, Europe and the United States. She is known as both painter and sculptor; across mediums her work is colorful, lyrical, animated and brimming with optimism.

About Norma Lewis

Sculptor Norma Lewis (1925 – 2010) studied at the University of Texas, Austin, The Art Student’s League in New York City and Washington University in St. Louis. She firmly believed that art should not be intellectualized and that forms should be true to their own nature. Her work embodies an integrity of material, a respect for weight and balance and a simplicity of form. Lewis worked primarily in bronze, but also incorporated stone and aluminum into her work, which included both diminutive and large outdoor sculptures. Her sculptures and paintings are in museums and private collections worldwide.

Norma and her husband spent several years on the Central Coast of California before retiring to Oro Valley, Arizona. The Tucson J is grateful to the Lewis’ family for their generous contribution to our garden.

Artists featured in the 2017 exhibit include:

Daniel Lehman, Tether, Forged steel, 2011

Pitch, Forged steel 2015

Gary Beals, Bindings VI, Steel with powder coat, 2012

Fred Borcherdt, Passage Marker II, Stone and steel, 2002

Carlton Bradford, Doublewide, Stainless steel, 2015

Bryan Crow, Innerspace Figure 7, Welded and forged steel, cement, 2015

Steven Derks, ultimately opposite, Enamel on aluminum, 2015

David Flynn, Red Rocker, Steel, 2015

Al Glann, Bearer of Knowledge, Steel with paint, 2008 – 2014

Flavia Krasilchik, Deusa Brasil (Brazil Goddess), Earthenware, 2013

Pokey Park, Talvez Manana (Maybe Tomorrow), Bronze, 2006

Lauri Slenning, Swell, Bronze, 2002

Ira Wiesenfeld, DVM, Desert Pond, Found objects, forged steel and copper, 2014

Images and descriptions of all art included in the exhibit will be available online after April 10, 2016.

About the Tucson JCC Sculpture Garden

The Tucson JCC Sculpture Garden is a beautiful, serene oasis surrounding the architecturally significant community center. From the front entrance to The J, which features the striking Holocaust Memorial by Israeli artist Ami Shamir, and continuing along the south side of the campus, the garden is both destination and evolving landscape, inviting visitors to relax, converse, meditate and contemplate in a unique setting in the heart of the city. The project was accomplished by a talented group of volunteers whose dedication and vision transformed a dirt lot into Tucson’s only venue for public sculpture.Annual exhibitions feature work by both established and emerging artists and ensure the vitality and relevance of the garden on the local, regional and national art scenes.

In keeping with the mission of the Tucson J, the Sculpture Garden is open to the entire community.

Sculpture Garden Hours:
Sunday: 9 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Closed Saturdays and Jewish holidays

Tours led by a docent are available by reservation. Please call Lynn Davis at 520-299-3000 x106.

About the Tucson JCC

Tucson JCC (The Tucson J) employs more than 200 people on its 110,000 square foot campus. For more than 60 years the The Tucson J has provided a warm and welcoming environment for various groups from the entire community. There are boundless opportunities to balance your physical, mental, and emotional self. The J has something for everyone including a state-of-the-art fitness and wellness center; cultural arts programs; early childhood education enrichment programs; a wide variety of adult classes; and a sculpture garden and rotating art gallery showcasing the work of local and national artists. The J is also a catering and event rental facility.

The Tucson J is located at 3800 E. River Rd. Tucson, AZ 85718.

Phone: 520-299-3000 I 520-529 0373, www.tucsonjcc.org

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