Desert Botanical Garden to Present Gwynn Popovac: BioMythic Masks

Artist Gwynn Popovac’s Biomythic Masks will be on display in Ottosen Gallery in Dorrance Hall from October 1, 2010 through January 2, 2011. Each mask blends the textures, shapes and hues of natural habitats such as deserts, wetlands and tide pools with human features. These intricate three dimensional masks incorporate a variety of man-made and found objects such as wire, plaster, beads, fabric and stones.

Gwynn Popovac was born in Delaware in 1948, but spent most of her childhood in the San Fernando Valley. She started working in crayon on paper and walls at the age of four.  Mainly self-taught, she didn't go public with her art until she was living in Westwood, Los Angeles, and attending UCLA as a literature student. 

Gwynn's art has been exhibited in various venues, including the Navy Pier in Chicago, the Hearst Gallery in Moraga, California, the Tohono Chul Museum in Tucson and the Phoenix Art Museum.

 A “Phoenix Point of Pride”, the Desert Botanical Garden is one of only a few botanical gardens accredited by the American Association of Museums. It is a privately funded, non-profit organization and depends on revenues from admissions and gift shop sales, as well as contributions from individuals and businesses to fund its programs of environmental education, plant conservation and research.

The exhibit is free with admission to the Garden.  Admission rates are $15.00 for adults, $13.50 for seniors, $7.500 for students with ID, $5.00 for children 3-12 years-of-age; Garden members and children 2 years and younger are admitted free.

The Desert Botanical Garden is located inside Papago Park at 1201 North Galvin Parkway in Phoenix, Arizona.  The Garden is open every day, except Thanksgiving, December 25 and July 4, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.  Ottosen Gallery is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.  Call (480) 941-1225 or visit http://www.dbg.org/events-exhibitions/gwynn-popovac-biomythic-masks-exhibit for more information.

* Digital images available upon request.