“Visual Tabouli” at Westfield Valencia Town Center uses Recycled and Found Materials to Highlight Humanitarian and Environmental Issues

The city of Santa Clarita unveiled its newest public art exhibit at Westfield Valencia Town Center, titled “Visual Tabouli” by artist Paula Dwyer, today at the Town Center Art Space, located outside Sisley restaurant near the food court.

The piece will be on display there through May 2, 2012.

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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’s Common Spaces: Art in Public Places campaign, designed to make available and showcase local art for all audiences.

“Found!” is another exhibit that will debut at Westfield Valencia Town Center on Jan.9 at the Small Space, Big Stories Gallery. The exhibit features the work of six artists who scoured the Santa Clara River for trash at the city’s annual River Rally on Sept. 17 and used the items to create art. The exhibit will be on display through May 11.

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

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