Sedona News – The city invites the public to save the date for its next artist reception on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers and the Vultee Conference Room at City Hall, where 75 paintings created by Carol Benally will be on display through April 24, 2025. Special music guest will be the Michael Kollwitz, an award-winning Chapman Stick player.
Originally from Boston, Benally spent time studying the art of Renaissance masters and impressionists, as well as Native American collections of art she found in the museums in Boston. She then pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Massachusetts College of Art in Boston.
After college and intrigued by Georgia O’Keefe and her unique contemporary paintings, Benally ventured to New Mexico where she was inspired by the openness of the land and the artistic traditions of the Native American culture. She then met her husband and made Pinon, Ariz. her home for over 35 years. Her family, including her daughter and grandchildren have lived on the Navajo Reservation, Dinétah.
Making the Sedona area a second home, Benally has continually enjoyed painting throughout the Southwest, as well as painting Plein-air of the Colorado Plateau. Her paintings represent the spirit of the land and sky that evoke the essence of a particular place and time. Painting the scene on location, she uses a range of color, texture and form to describe the landscape with complexity and subtlety. Benally looks for new ways to express spatial relationships and distance with layers of paint, brushwork, gradations and diffusions of light.
“I am always drawn to the irresistible forces that seem to bring me close to the earth with color and brush strokes, where I form and translate the power and spirit of the land and sky. The more I see, the more I have to paint the earth’s abundant beauty and continue my lifelong effort to communicate the emotional connection I feel with my environment,” said Benally.
“Once I visited Carol and saw an abundance of beautifully painted landscapes filling her studio and adorning the walls of her home, I knew I wanted to offer her a solo exhibit. Despite decades of painting experience and having considerable talent, I was impressed to learn how humble she is. This is a great opportunity for the public to meet and learn more about one of our local artists who is a hidden treasure,” said Nancy Lattanzi, arts and culture specialist.
She has received many awards from Plein-air competitions in New Mexico as well as Arizona and has been represented by many galleries in the area. Currently she is represented by West of the Moon Gallery in Flagstaff, Ariz., as well as Sedona Artist Market. She is a member of Oil Painters of America, American Impressionist Society, Plein Air Painters of New Mexico and Arizona Plein Air Painters.
More ways to view the art and meet the artist
In addition to the artist reception, the public can meet the artist Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, when Benally will talk about her work and conduct a painting demonstration. She will also be available for an opening viewing on Thursday, April 10, 2025 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Additional viewings are available by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, or for more information on the City Hall Art Rotation Program, please contact Lattanzi at 928-203-5078 or NLattanzi@SedonaAZ.gov.