Painter Caldonia (Donia) Rhotan Corbitt has moved back to Oklahoma just in time for her high school reunion.  How better to celebrate that reunion than having an exhibition of her work hung in the Performing Arts Studio Gallery for her classmates and the general public to enjoy. 

“Journeys to the Tiger’s Eye, and More” will be on exhibit in the PAS Gallery, 200 South Jones Avenue from July 13 through September 21. 
A reception for the artist will be held on Sunday, July 20, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.  The public is invited to meet the artist and enjoy the paintings, music by Dennis Borycki, and refreshments.  There is no admission charge.

A special reception for Donia’s classmates will be held on Friday, August 1, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.

Almost before she could form her first word, Donia was forming clay replicas of the surrounding wild life in Oklahoma, she says.  This early love of animals and early creative talent provided the foundation for her lifetime passion and first career as a well known artist of animals.

During the next 20 years, life changing experiences and travel began to influence her artistic style.  “Rigid line became indefinite, realistic subject matter became subdued, and background became abstract and profound.” Corbitt says.  Gradually, her art projected a different message.  “With a collision of texture, free floating form and the ambivalence of brush stroke, a contemporary artist with a strong expression of faith emerged.” she continues.

Colors have symbolism in Corbitt’s paintings she says, with “Peace as in turquoise; Love as in magenta; Hope as in bright yellow; and Joy as in bright pink.”

The exhibition will include paintings of animals (including the Tiger) as well as the abstract work which has evolved, with some transitional paintings as well.

Corbitt’s work has been been on exhibit at the Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma State Capitol, and more recently in “Hidden in the Hills” Art Show in Carefree/Cave Creek, Arizona, among many others venues.  She has been an active member of the Sonoran Art League, and a juried artist with the Arizona Art Guild, Oklahoma Art Guild and Watercolor Association of Oklahoma.  She has studied extensively.

"The Performing Arts Studio is honored to have Caldonia Rhodan Corbitt exhibit in the PAS Gallery.  Her work is outstanding and is a pleasure to view." says Gallery Committee member and PAS President, Ina St. John.
 
Gallery Exhibitions are made possible by grants from the Norman Arts Council, Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.  Sponsorship opportunities are available.

The Performing Arts Studio is located in the historic Santa Fe Train Depot downtown in Norman’s Arts District.  Gallery hours are from 8:00 to 3:00 Tuesday through Friday and from 1:00 to 5:00 on Sunday.

For additional information on PAS programs, phone 405-307-9320.