Southwest Invitational returns to Yuma art fans

After a 15-year hiatus, Yuma Fine Arts is bringing back the Southwestern Invitational to art lovers in Yuma from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday.

According to Carolyn Bennett, executive director of the Yuma Fine Arts Association, before the previous Yuma Art Center burned down in 1993, the exhibit consisted of a group of invited artists displaying an array of works.

Bennett said this year's event will also display a wide variety of artists, including many from the Yuma area.

“This incarnation features a group exhibit of Southwest art. We put out an open call to artists who were each asked to submit three artworks.”

Bennett said that even though the request was on short notice, YFA received an overwhelming response from 34 local area artists.

“Even though we're presenting the Southwestern in the central gallery, which is the largest of the four galleries, we had to pare down the exhibit to two artworks per artist to fit the space.”

According to Bennett, there are three exhibits on display during the event, which runs through Feb. 18.

One of the other exhibits is “The West in Bronze and Through the Lens” featuring Montana sculptor Donald Strong and western photographer John Hoskin.

“We're very happy with the way the exhibit pairs the two mediums to form a contemporary look at the West,” Bennett said.

“In the West Gallery, we have local abstract expressionist P. D. Allen with her ‘Interaction with Spirit.'''

Bennett said there is no cost to see the exhibits. However, as a nonprofit organization, the Yuma Art Center accepts donations.

The public is invited to come to the galleries and talk with the artists about their work at 11 a.m. Saturday, Bennett said.

To learn more, call the Yuma Art Center at 373-5202.