SEDONA, Ariz. – The city invites the public to save the date for its next artist reception on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers and the Vultee Conference Room at City Hall to view naturalist Greg Lawson’s photographs and impressionistic painter Hope Riccardi’s work, on display through Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. Special music guest will be violinist Drew Riccardi.
Lawson has been recording images ever since he captured his first on the streets of New York City as an early teen. His “painting with light” photographs have been created in all still-camera formats, with collectors of his work living all over the world. This current exhibition features pieces from five decades, reflecting photos made on large-format film through modern digital work. “Early on, I was surrounded by creative artistry: fashion, decor, paint, bolts of cloth, murals and design. All manners of creativity were the anchors of our family life. When my mother gave me a camera as an early teen, it was with intent, not for me to become a working photographer, but with the intent of focusing my intense curiosity in a practical direction and I think it worked.”
As a naturalist he thrives on field experiences while creating his art under the umbrella of what he describes as thoughtful attachment. “To taste the magnificent fruits of Earth and our worlds upon it, to savor them, to share my perception of the moment — this is the path of my visual artistry,” said Lawson. He has also contributed to or exclusively authored hundreds of publications over the last 50 years.
Ricciardi, originally from Boston, is a Sedona based artist known for her figurative and architectural paintings in the expressive/impressionistic style. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University, with an emphasis on art of ancient civilizations. After moving west, the palette and shapes of the surrounding landscapes inspired her to become a plein air artist working in oil. Her paintings capture the shifting light and atmosphere of her continued travel of the southwest. She creates smaller onsite work, which then evolves in the studio into larger, more developed compositions.
“I have always loved painting, but now I use it as a way to build community wherever I go. Painters are bound together by their passion, welcoming newcomers at all levels. It is a wonderful way to experience life,” said Ricciardi. She has conducted oil painting demonstrations, as well as competed and earned awards in several plein air festivals including: First Place at the Escalante Canyons Art Festival in 2023, Third Place Purchase Award in 2024, First Place Oro Valley Plein Air in 2025 and First Place AIS Wet Wall Competition in 2025. Currently her work is exhibited at the Sedona Artist Market & the Gallery, where she offers private instruction in plein air painting. She is also a member of Arizona Plein Air Painters, American Impressionist Society, Laguna Plein Air Painters and Plein Air Austin.
“I am very pleased to exhibit Greg’s photographs, whose captivating images truly engage, whether capturing powerful animals in their habitat, or taking the viewer to intriguing destinations. Pairing Greg’s photographs with the serene impressionistic paintings that display Hope’s passion for the southwest, create an appealing exhibit,” said Arts and Culture Specialist Nancy Lattanzi.
More information
Private 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