Joel D. Valdez Main Library invites you to view the works of local artist Deborah Goalby, on display until June 28, 2024.
Artist Statement:
In July, 1998 I was selected by Pima County Library Call to Artists to exhibit my artwork at the Joel Valdez Main Library. Ironically, after many years absence from creative endeavors, in November 2023 I submitted my recent art, ceramic and mixed media, and was offered the opportunity to show at the main library this June, 2024!In 1974 I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education from Northwest Missouri State University, and in 1976 I completed my Master’s Degree in Secondary Art Education, Ceramics from Southern Illinois University with instruction from artist in residence, Joan Tweedy of Alfred University and SIU’s Jack Cannon and Dan Anderson. From 1976 through 1985 I taught art in Illinois before moving to southern Arizona. Green Valley Recreation hired me as studio supervisor and instructor at their pottery studio, teaching wheel throwing and hand building classes 1988-1989. In 1990 I supervised the Sunday open studio at Randolph Park, City of Tucson Parks and Recreation, eventually teaching evening wheel throwing at the new Udall Park studio. After then working in workforce development and academia for the University of Arizona and Northern AZ University from 2001-2012, I retired and moved to Green Valley in 2017. Seems I had come full circle, back with Green Valley Rec, now as a member and wheel throwing instructor for the past few years.
In 2023 I inadvertently created a mixed media piece using a fascinating piece of found metal in partnership with clay elements. Since then I have had such fun exploring what compositions I can create with a found or recycled object as my starting point! This year I decided to take a break from clay and utilize a myriad of materials and the results have brought me such joy. This show hopefully brings the viewer into my present world, sometimes whimsical while other times philosophical.
A piece called Vertical Garden was selected as part of a show at Tucson Community Campus; spring semester 2024 two of my works have been part of an exhibit at ASU’s Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions; this May I have a piece in an exhibit in Vermillion, SD; and I am pleased to say my work will be shown at the Kirk-Bear Canyon Library in November of this year. The past year has been encouraging and sparks me on more discovery as both an artist and a person.
Images courtesy of the artist
