The City of Santa Clarita is proud to unveil its newest public art exhibit at Westfield Valencia Town Center titled “Visual Tabouli” by artist Paula Dwyer.  The exhibit will be on displaynow through May 2, 2012 at the Town Center Art Space, located outside Sisley restaurant near the food court.

Dwyer’s “Visual Tabouli” uses mannequins as canvas to provoke thought about issues such as human dependence on Earth and relationships with animals, as well as the human connection.  Dwyer stresses the importance of exercising passion, compassion, and commitment toward these efforts in her art, while emphasizing the importance of taking steps to preserve these gifts for future generations.  Dwyer uses the female mannequin form throughout her work as a symbol of strength, nurturing, and hope.

“Visual Tabouli” is one of several public art exhibits featured in the City of Santa Clarita’s Common Spaces: Art in Public Places campaign, which is designed to make available and showcase local art for all audiences.  “Found!” is another exhibit that will debut at Westfield Valencia Town Center on January 9, 2012 at the Small Space, Big Stories Gallery.  The exhibit features the work of six artists who scoured the Santa Clarita River for “trash” at the City’s annual River Rally on September 17, 2011 and used the items to create art.  The exhibit will be on display through May 11, 2012.

The community is invited to attend a special reception with live music and light appetizers on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Center Art Space, located just off The Patios near the retail store Dig It, where Dwyer and “Found!” artists will be on hand to discuss their work.

For more information about the City of Santa Clarita’s Common Spaces: Art in Public Places campaign and available exhibits, visit Common-Spaces.org.