[Tucson, Ariz., January 3, 2023] — For over twelve years, Roche Tissue Diagnostics (RTD) has been investing in creativity through local art exhibitions at their dedicated gallery space in partnership with the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA).   

At their Oro Valley site the pathology customer area brings excellence and innovation to science and engineering, with individuals and teams leading the discovery, development and delivery of diagnostic systems and tissue-based cancer tests that are guiding the future of healthcare.

To affirm their commitment to creativity, RTD welcomes eight local Arizona artists to exhibit in their winter exhibition of 2023. The exhibition, GRAND SCALE | A large-format art exhibition, will feature over 45 works in diverse styles and approaches by artists whose main medium is public and private mural commissions.

This exhibition was inspired by Roche's most recent campus transformation, which included several large mural installations. 

The exhibition is a visual treat on a grand scale, with works ranging in size from 3 feet to 8 feet, including paintings, mixed media works, collage, UV blacklight reactive, and applied metal art.

SAACA will partner with Roche and the Tucson Young Professionals to present a featured Opening Night reception on Wednesday, January 18, from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Gallery. The event will feature light hors d'oeuvres, refreshments, live music with Adam Townsend, and meet-and-greet opportunities with participating artists. Attendees can RSVP online at https://conta.cc/3VtrWfD 

 

FEATURED ARTISTS

Featured artists include Bella Dolores, Renee Michele, Gary Nusinow, Victor Navarro, Kyllan Maney, Lucretia Torva, and Ignacio Garcia.

Bella Dolores

Bella Dolores worked as a Virology/Microbiology Clinical Technician at Sonora Lab. Sciences while attending ASU and graduating in 1998 Magna Cum Laude. Her world collided with a Near Death Experience, not once but twice; first, breaking her neck and giving birth; then, via traumatic brain injury sustained being hit by a drunk driver. 40+ surgeries later, Dolores's Medical story of both accounts & artworks created from these incidents, including near-death/chronic pain, are published through Springer Medical Textbook 2010/19. Her experience in Science & Art textures the Human Experience & can be seen in all works lead by sound, her heartbeat.

 

Renee Michele

Renee Michele studied painting and printing at the University of Wisconsin in River Falls and has been a dedicated painter for more than 30 years. She has exhibited extensively in Minnesota, Nebraska, New York City, and Tucson and has been solicited for multiple commissions. She currently works out of her studio located at the East Hive in Tucson and serves as an active board member for the Southern Arizona Arts Guild, serving as Exhibitions Coordinator. Renee's current focus is on color development as she works to capture the ethereal in concepts and symbolic gestures.

 

Gary Nusinow

When we refer to a painting as abstract or figurative, we set limits on how we encounter, then interpret what we see. In my work, I explore the potential fusion of the two. The results are often familiar yet somehow disquieting. I attempt to redirect our visual assumptions and blur the distinctions between the abstract and the figurative image.

 

Victor Navarro

Honored as the Arizona 2020 Governor's Arts Awards | Philanthropist of the Year Award Recipient & Artist of the year; his paintings are inspired by diversity, identity, culture, and emotions. Navarro's art has been featured at World Art Dubai. Becoming part of notable art collections such as the United States Ambassador's residence in Abu Dhabi.

 

Kyllan Maney

Kyllan Maney’s work is rooted in the interactive process between the viewer and her work. She enjoys the inventive and creative process of discovering transcendence in natural patterns and forms. Radial patterns are a common theme in Kyllan’s work; these pieces are considered centering places that express the idea of many people working together in vibrant, creative directions.

 

Lucretia Torva

Lucretia Torva has lived in the "Valley" for 25 years, painting murals from Scottsdale to Chandler, Mesa to Goodyear. She had the good fortune of growing up in Europe and experiencing some well-known Western Art and Architecture highlights. Upon receiving her MFA, she held a college teaching position for several years at a liberal arts college on the east coast. A circuitous path led her to become self-employed as an artist in 2000, and she hasn't looked back. Along with painting for income, she maintains a fine art practice and exhibits her art regularly.

 

Ignacio Garcia

Muralist/Public Artist and 2022 Arizona Artist Leader of the year from the Arizona Capital Times Ignacio Garcia is well known throughout Arizona and throughout the west coast for his 3D chalk art, Large photo-realistic murals like the Empowered Woman in Downtown Tucson and also often plays on whimsical, playful pop art ideas and blending his street art and abstract contributing of the Sonoran lifestyle. Garcia's artistic studies graduate from East Valley Institute of Technology in Mesa, Arizona, and the Gnomon Workshop in Hollywood, California. Ignacio offers innovation and a unique point of view, a fundamental motivation for his work. 

 

PERFORMANCE

Adam Townsend’s story is one of persistence. One that eventually led to his debut album being produced by the Grammy nominated producer Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Langhorne Slim, Benjamin Booker). Hailing from Tucson, AZ, this old soul was raised in a musical family; growing up with equal helpings of The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Otis Redding. His unquenchable desire to pursue a musical career finally led to recording a full length album in the iconic Nashville, TN. Teaming up with the producer Andrija Tokic and a few incredibly talented session musicians like Jeremy Fetzer & Jon Estes, his debut album “All My Fires” came out in June 2019.

Adam will perform from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the outdoor gallery reception.  

 

EXHIBITION DETAILS

The exhibition will remain on view to the public through May 10 2023. For guests unable to attend the opening night reception on January 18, 2023, private tours of the gallery are coordinated with advance notice, Mondays-Fridays between 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. All reservation requests should be made to eric@saaca.org or by calling SAACA at (520) 797-3959.

To learn more about how Roche strengthens communities, visit their website. 

 

About the Gallery

Roche Tissue Diagnostics (RTD) is committed to their mission — to improve the lives of all patients afflicted with cancer and is a world leader and innovator of tissue-based cancer diagnostic solutions for patients worldwide. At their Oro Valley site the pathology customer area brings excellence and innovation to science and engineering, with individuals and teams leading the discovery, development, and delivery of diagnostic systems and tissue-based cancer tests that are guiding the future of healthcare.

In 2004, the company first committed to the arts in Oro Valley with the establishment of a community gallery housed within their Oro Valley campus. Through a progressive partnership with the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance, arts have been part of the daily work experience through quarterly gallery exhibitions featuring local to world-renowned artists.

Ventana Gallery GRAND SCALE | A large-format art exhibition

Opening Night: Community Unveiling Reception

January 18, 2023 | 5 to 7 p.m.

Where: 1910 E Innovation Park Drive, Oro Valley, AZ 85755

Cost: No cost to attend

Gallery Hours: The gallery is open for private tours with 48-hour advance notice by contacting SAACA at (520) 797-3959

Details: https://www.saaca.org/ventanagallery.html

 

NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos available upon request

About the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance

The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation, preservation and advancement of the Arts. SAACA strengthens the bonds between people, place and purpose through collaborative, arts-driven experiences. SAACA (formerly the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council) was created to develop cultivated programming that spotlights local creatives and celebrates unique culture, while providing direct opportunities for artists to make and sell their work. To date, SAACA has created over 200,000 arts-driven experiences, from innovative community festivals and cultural celebrations to creative sector development, and accessible arts enrichment programs. SAACA continues to grow in footprint and in impact while working to pursue the mission of strengthening the bonds between people, place and purpose.

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