The Tombaugh Gallery presents “Animal Animas”, an exhibit of artwork by southern New Mexico artists Dinah Swan and Claudia Dennee, on display March 5 to April 21, 2017.  An opening reception will be on March 5^th from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm.  Dinah Swan, through her pastel paintings, and Claudia Dennee, through her sculptures, depict animal motifs for this exhibit.

Dinah has a Ph.D. in theater.  She draws artistic inspiration from nature and prefers animal subjects and southwestern landscapes.  She believes that the long-held Judaeo-Christian conviction that man was given dominance over the earth and all the animals that inhabit it has led to widespread abuse of the natural world.  She seeks to depict animals, whose existence on this earth predates human kind, as noble, innocent but vulnerable partners with us.  She feels human beings must learn to view this earth, its plants and animals as one interdependent organic system whose beauty and energy delight and inspire human kind.  She fears that numerous species will simply disappear from our earth forever as governmental protections are threatened.  The animals cannot speak for themselves.  We must.  She hopes her art stimulates viewers to take action to create a world in which all beings can thrive.

Claudia has an art degree from the University of Washington.  She finds that sculpting provides the opportunity to combine many of her interests and abilities.  Her pieces are composed of mixed media including wood, bone, paper and metal.  She finds mesquite and bone in the desert surrounding her home.  These are incorporated in the design by extensive carving, gluing, paper and metal application and painting.  Most recently she has created a series of rattles than incorporate animal and fantasy themes.  She is inspired by myth, fairy tales and natural surroundings.  Animal behavior often informs her pieces as well as cross cultural and archaeological records.

The Tombaugh Gallery is located inside the Unitarian Universalist Church at 2000 S. Solano, and is open Wednesday-Saturday 10am-2pm.  For details, send email to ,