Exhibit of women's art opens

More than 30 local and international women artists are showing their work in "Mujeres, Mujeres, Mujeres" at Raíces Taller 222 Art Gallery & Workshop.

The exhibit includes paintings, sculptures, photography and mixed media, said Ceci García, a founder of the gallery.

"This is an international show, and it is also an opportunity to view women artists in all stages of their lives," García said.

Four years ago, Raíces had a show honoring spring, and that show evolved into exhibits recognizing women in the arts, García said.

"We realized that women's voices also had to be heard," García said. "In addition to artists, we included the poets, musicians and dancers in the show's opening and closing receptions.

"Traditionally, women in the arts have been overlooked. We cannot afford any longer to overlook the historical significance of their contributions."

Among the artists to be featured is figurative painter Adriana Yadira Gallego, a native of Nogales, Sonora. Gallego, 32, also was featured at the Tucson Museum of Art in "Vistas de la Frontera" one year ago.

Gallego graduated from the University of Arizona in 1997 and also studied in New York City and in Guanajuato, Nuevo León, Mexico.

She has received numerous honors and has shown her work in galleries, museums and cultural centers throughout the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico, according to her Web site, www.adrianaclaudio.com

Gallego interned at the Alternative Museum in New York City and was a co-founder of Raíces, located in Tucson's Downtown Warehouse District.

Raíces is a cooperative where the public sees pieces done by students and professionals.

Artists from the United States, Germany, Ireland, Mexico and Brazil have presented their work at the gallery, which has kept its doors open thanks to support from the community, García said.

Artists pay dues to the cooperative and organize fundraising events. Raíces also receives private donations and grants from the Tucson Pima Arts Council and the Arizona Commission on the Arts.

This year Raíces received the "Outstanding Emerging Arts Organization" award from the Tucson Pima Arts Council.

If you go

What: Exhibition, "Mujeres, Mujeres, Mujeres"

When: Opened Saturday. The art exhibit is scheduled to run through July 21.

Where: Raíces Taller 222 Art Gallery & Workshop, 222 E. Sixth St.

Hours: The gallery is generally open from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday or by appointment. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

Information: 881-5335 or http://www.RaicesTaller222.org