Turquoise Tortoise Gallery will open the new exhibition, Mariann Leahy Clay Art: Ancient Motifs, Contemporary Style, and welcome the artist to an 1st Friday Gallery Tour opening reception Sept. 2 from 5 to 8 p.m.

“Ancient myths and symbols are my inspiration,” Leahy said. “As a clay artist, I celebrate symbols combining human and animal motifs. These symbols show the emergence and mystery of life’s energy.”

The stories portrayed in Leahy’s art pieces have been researched and influenced from the rich cultural traditions and ruins in the Southwest. Her symbols of horses, ravens and deer or human hands, spirals and other symbols are drawn with glaze onto fired mica-rich clay that she has formed into wall hangings, platters and bowls.

Each piece is then painted with many coats of glazes that come alive in brilliant colors during a second firing process.

Painting with glaze, which does not show its color until fired, requires an intense and precise inner vision on the part of the artist. Leahy must see every nuance in her minds’ eye as she creates each piece.

Stop by Turquoise Tortoise Gallery to meet the artist and enjoy the exhibition, which runs through Sunday, Sept. 11.

Turquoise Tortoise Gallery is located at Hozho, 431 SR 179.

The gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For information, contact 282-2262 or TurquoiseTortoiseGallery.com.