July 18, 2008 12:32 am
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pop staff
Painter Caldonia "Donia" Rhoton Corbitt has moved back to Oklahoma just in time for her 50th Norman High School reunion. In honor of that reunion there will be an exhibition of her work hung in the Performing Arts Studio Gallery for her classmates and the general public to enjoy.
"Journeys to the Tiger's Eye, and More" will be on exhibit in the PAS Gallery, 200 S. Jones Ave., through Sept. 21. ?
A reception for the artist will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. The public is invited to meet the artist and enjoy the paintings, music by Dennis Borycki and refreshments. There is no admission charge.
A special reception for Corbitt's classmates will be 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.
Almost before she could form her first word, Corbitt was forming clay replicas of the surrounding wildlife in Oklahoma, she said. This early love of animals and early creative talent provided the foundation for her lifetime passion and first career as a well known artist of animals.
After her formative years in the Sooner State, Corbitt spent some time in her current home in Arizona.
"It's great out there," Corbitt said.
During the next 20 years, life changing experiences and travel began to influence her artistic style.
"Rigid line became indefinite, realistic subject matter became subdued, and background became abstract and profound." Corbitt said. Gradually, her art projected a different message.
"With a collision of texture, free floating form and the ambivalence of brush stroke, a contemporary artist with a strong expression of faith emerged," she continued.
Colors have symbolism in Corbitt's paintings she says, with "Peace as in turquoise; Love as in magenta; Hope as in bright yellow; and Joy as in bright pink."
Corbitt has spent much of her time in Arizona using some of the proceeds from her art to benefit various charities based in Arizona and in Oklahoma too, particularly ones benefiting children.
"I'm so proud to be involved with that, with fundraisers for children," Corbitt said.
"That's what's important, that we help each other when we can."
The exhibition will include Corbitt's paintings of animals (including the tiger) as well as her abstract work which has evolved, with some transitional paintings as well.
Corbitt's work has been on exhibit at the Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma State Capitol, and more recently in "Hidden in the Hills" Art Show in Carefree/Cave Creek, Arizona, among many other venues. She has been an active member of the Sonoran Art League, and a juried artist with the Arizona Art Guild, Oklahoma Art Guild and Watercolor Association of Oklahoma. She has studied extensively.
"The Performing Arts Studio is honored to have Caldonia Rhoton Corbitt exhibit in the PAS Gallery. Her work is outstanding and is a pleasure to view," said Gallery Committee member and PAS President Ina St. John.
Gallery Exhibitions are made possible by grants from the Norman Arts Council, Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
The Performing Arts Studio is in the historic Santa Fe Train Depot downtown in Norman's Arts District. Gallery hours are 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
For additional information on PAS programs, visit www.thepas.org or call 307-9320. ?
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