Sedona Celebrates Myrna Harrison with Inspiring Joint Exhibit

The Sedona Arts Center is set to collaborate with the Sedona Heritage Museum for the Myrna Harrison Exhibition and Sale, running from September 6 through September 29. The exhibition will open with a reception during the Celebrate Sedona event on September 6, complemented by musical performances from a duo from the Sedona Symphony.

Myrna Harrison, the featured artist, expresses her deep emotional connection to Arizona’s landscapes. “The deserts in Arizona deeply move me,” she remarked, reflecting on the stark contrast to her coastal upbringing in New York and California. “The landscapes here are much more intense. The rocks around Sedona are just really exciting and expressive.”

Nate Meyers, Director of the Sedona Heritage Museum, highlighted the unique aspect of this exhibition. “Usually in museums, everything is not for sale. Here, you can actually buy what you see,” he noted, underscoring the innovative nature of the event.

Harrison has been immersed in the arts her entire life, influenced by her father, an animator who worked on early cartoons. “My father was an animator and director for Columbia Pictures,” she shared, mentioning his work on iconic characters like ‘Mutt and Jeff.’ Harrison herself began working with her father during summer vacations, which sparked her own passion for art.

Her artistic journey took a significant turn when she studied under Hans Hofmann, a prominent figure in abstract expressionism. “Studying with him made my work much more modern,” she asserted, noting that his teachings encouraged vibrant colors and a looser style. The upcoming exhibition will showcase over 30 works from her extensive career, with proceeds benefiting the Sedona Arts Center, the Sedona Heritage Museum, and Harrison.

Harrison characterizes her art as “semi-abstract landscapes,” aiming to convey emotional responses rather than replicate reality. “It’s about how we see landscapes and how they affect us,” she explained. Since moving to Surprise, Arizona, her work has tended toward a more figurative style while still reflecting her love for landscapes.

Her previous homes in Wickenburg provided inspiring views that shaped her artistic vision. “Arizona has absolutely glorious landscapes, and Sedona showcases some of the best,” she stated. Harrison’s journey in Arizona began in 1980 when she took on several leadership roles in community colleges before retiring and settling in Wickenburg.

Julie Richard, CEO of the Sedona Arts Center, remarked on Harrison’s contributions to the local art scene. “We’re featuring Myrna as an element of history, as she has deep ties to Sedona,” she noted, adding that the exhibition coincides with a farewell celebration for ceramics teacher Neil Kennedy, who is leaving the town.