Colorado State University Hosts "Natural Blessings" Exhibition

Colorado State University’s Curfman Gallery presents "Natural Blessings," an exhibition featuring two artists’ unique wall shrines and books.

The exhibition runs Jan. 24 through Feb. 18 and highlights the work of Julie Harris and Chris French. French’s wall shrines and Harris’ books are created from handmade paper combined with objects from nature.

Harris will give a slide presentation and lecture on her work at 6 p.m. Jan. 25 in the Curfman Gallery. A reception will follow. The Curfman Gallery, located in the Lory Student Center on campus, is open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m.- 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m., and Saturday 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.

Admission to the exhibition, lecture and reception is free.

Harris, an assistant professor at Southwest Missouri State in Springfield, designs her work to express her love of nature and learning.

"I chose to work with natural objects because of an underlying appreciation and respect for the fragility of nature," said Harris. "My books are a response to the tactile qualities of a book as an art object."

French, an artist from Ohio, creates unique wall pieces from layers of paper pulp integrated with natural objects. She uses recycled materials whenever possible, and the metaphor of the cave or shrine is a recurring theme in her work.

"The cave is a symbol of the universe, the heart. It is a place of burial and rebirth," said French.

As a child, French built small shrines to the Virgin Mary and prayed for protection of family, friends and pets. Now her shrines are dedicated to Gaia, Mother Earth.

For more information, contact the Curfman Gallery at (970) 491-5838.