Sandy Merritt
You would never guess by looking at George Penaloza scurrying around the Roadrunner Grill filling water glasses and refilling coffee cups that he is a superb sculpture artist with an artist’s soul.
My husband Myron and I were lucky enough to view one of his shows at Gallery Azul on north 7th Avenue in downtown Tucson recently. We were thoroughly entertained and delighted looking at George’s work.
What is most surprising in his sculptures are the humorous turns his works take. “Working with paper clay allows my playful imagination to flow until almost the very last possible moment before the final firing,” he said.
Seeing Dorothy’s red shoes kicking while thrusting out of one of his pieces, along with the tin man and other characters from the Wizard of Oz spontaneously sprouting from a large sculpture of George’s art is just one example of the fun and childlike pleasure George infuses into his pieces.
He has been greatly influenced by Hirostusune Tashima who pushed him to achieve beyond what George thought possible.
George takes great joy from the smiles and positive comments made by people viewing his work.
If you or a group of your friends would like to view his work, you are in luck. Out of 1100 artists accepted into ASU Herberger Theater in Tempe only 32 were chosen. George was one of them. George has also been chosen to participate in the bi-annual Tempe Center for the Arts show.
The show at the Tempe Center for the Arts runs September 30 through December 31, 2016. Reception is from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on September 30. If you have questions or require directions please call Michelle Bach at 482-350-2867.
The Herberger Theater show runs October 7 through January 8, 2016 with the reception from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on October 7.
Any questions, please contact George Penaloza at 520-403-3403.