“Color the City” debuts the artwork of Rick Naimark, downtown resident and emerging artist. Naimark’s colorful contemporary paintings are full of motion, texture, and shape, and are inspired by nearly 30 years of working on complex urban projects and programs as a senior manager at Phoenix City Hall. From street infrastructure to budget balancing to monsoon flooding, Naimark takes and deconstructs simple themes and shapes into abstractions to delight the eye and challenge the mind.
Using mostly acrylics, Naimark almost never sits down or touches a paintbrush, instead uses spatulas and other non-traditional methods of applying paint and other media. The goal: create complex character and illuminant blends of color embodying the intensity and complexity of urban life in Phoenix.
After 40+ years of focusing his artistic efforts in the musical arena – playing the piano and singing – Naimark expanded his horizons by taking a painting class as an “empty nester” strategy. “I took to it naturally and gravitated immediately to creating large, abstract pieces based on ideas and experiences from my career in city management. There’s so much to paint about, so it’s been a productive and abundant endeavor.”
THIRD FRIDAY OPENING RECEPTION
October 16, 2015, 6 – 10 p.m.
Refreshments will be served and music will be provided by c3trio, a jazz combo that includes graduates of Arizona School for the Arts. A silent auction of Naimark’s works will benefit the Hance Park Conservancy, a 501-c-3 non-profit organization, to help make the new Hance Park Master Plan a reality and promote the creative use of public space and a vibrant arts and cultural experience. STARTING SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, view the art and access the silent auction at bitly.com/colorthecity
FIRST FRIDAY SHOW
November 6, 2015, 6 – 10 p.m.
BY APPOINTMENT
602-882-5757
