Death of Fellow Artist Inspires Special Efforts For Memorial Exhibit at Topanga Canyon Gallery

We Topanga Canyon Gallery artist like to think that all our exhibits are special, that they present fresh, quality art for the community and our patrons to enjoy.  Occasionally, however, a very special show inspires us to dig deeper, to go above and beyond the norm in our creative efforts. The effect is like the way “Win one for the Gipper!” inspired Notre Dame football teams to great heights many decades ago. Our upcoming exhibit, dedicated to the memory of Mimma Salinas is just such an occasion. Here’s why…

Some people, when they’re gone, remain frozen in time in the memories of those who knew and loved them. The images may differ, but they are like snapshots of the one who has passed on in a familiar pose or situation.

Not so for Mimma Salinas! Our memories of Mimma resemble video clips, not still photos. “Mobility or motion were Mimma trademarks,” says Robyn Feeley, organizer of a special gallery exhibit to honor Mimma’s memory. “That was true in her life and in much of the art she created.”

Mimma’s work often portrayed female forms posed as graceful dancers. The inherent fluidity of these sculptures was accentuated because she built motion into the figures; they could actually pirouette on axles incorporated into the pieces.

“Her work seemed to exist between the real world in which she lived and the surreal world in which she created,” her niece Ariella Fiore explains. “Her artistic goal was that observers of her work would move between these two realms and imagine a world where this division is blurred.

Mimma found and created art all around her.  Her mind was always working on new projects, ways to incorporate her visions into reality.  Her sudden and brief battle with pancreatic cancer took everyone by surprise.  How someone so vibrant, full of life, and full of creation, could leave so very quickly is still shocking to those of us who knew and loved her. Mimma loved creating and sharing her art, and in recent years had found a wonderful partner in the Topanga Canyon Gallery." 

 Born in Nicaragua, she studied art, primarily sculpture, in her home country, England and Belgium, eventually earning a BFA from Pratt Institute in New York. Her work is displayed in our local gallery and worldwide in places such as Amsterdam, Nicaragua, the World Sculpture Park in Changchun, China, and in galleries all over the United States. But the Topanga gallery was her artistic home base in recent years. “She enjoyed her time there and loved the camaraderie with the artists and patrons,” Ariella notes.

“It is only fitting therefore that the gallery will mount an exhibit to honor a friend and fellow artist who left us far too early, just 48 days after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer,” said Debbi Green, TCG president, in announcing the , Immortal Soul: A Tribute to Mimma Salinas. It will run from July 28 to August 22. TCG members have invited guest artists who knew or worked with Mimma to participate. Artist entry fees will be donated to a fund the Salinas family created to support pancreatic cancer research.

 “The emphasis will be on work inspired by Mimma’s life and work,” explains Ms Feeley. One artist, who admired her pieces that suggested dancing, will enter two original prints that portray abstract female dancers. At least one has created work that has a windows motif, motivated by the giant 17.7-foot ‘Windows’ sculpture Mimma fashioned in China. Others promise work in varied media that reflect her vibrant, upbeat nature. 

“We invite the public to attend the reception for this very special exhibit from 5 to 8 pm on Saturday, August 9. The event will give guests an opportunity to meet the artists and discuss their work. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served.” 

(Topanga Canyon Gallery is located at 120 N. Topanga, #9 in the Pine Tree Circle shopping center, Topanga, CA 90290. Hours are 10 am to 6 pm Wednesday-Friday, 11 am to 5 pm Sunday. For more information, call 310-455-7909, visit www.topangacanyongallery.com or send e-mail to info@topangacanyongallery.com.)

 Mimma’s family is joining with the Hirschberg Foundation to help raise money to fight this most deadly strain of cancer.   Money raised goes to benefit research grants, fund ongoing research, and help families stricken with this dreadful disease, with financial aid should they need it.  Mimma's legacy will not be of her death, it will be of her art and how her art will bring change to the world. 

For more information on the Hirschberg foundation, please visit www.pancreatic.org. For more information on Mimma Salinas, please visit www.mimmasalinas.com or www.salinasgallery.com

To make a donation to honor Mimma, please go to www.pancreatic.org/memorial/mimmasalinas

Sketchpad Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 2 / July, 2008

Photography Invitational Opening – Gallery member John Smith has invited seven excellent photographers to join him in this exhibit, titled “The Emerging Landscape.” They are Neil France, Corina Gama. Craig Havens, Ann Mitchell, Tom Paiva, Peter Smith and Vinny Walsh.   Their combined work presents varied views of the urban landscape. Visit our website for more information on these artists.  The show runs from July 1-27 and the gallery will host an opening reception on July 12 from 4 -8 pm.

Mimma Salinas Memorial -  “My work is a collection of intangible dreams and fantasies made into a hard and durable material – bronze.  I make my dreams become reality and attempt to represent the past, present and future of my most primitive instincts.  By doing so I bring to the rest of the world what I feel to be the very essence of my mortal soul.”  So reads the artist statement of sculptress Mimma Salinas, our gallery sister who lost her battle against pancreatic cancer this March.  Please join us on Saturday August 9 for the opening reception of “Immortal Soul: A Tribute to Mimma Salinas.”  This show, which will raise money for The Mimma Salinas Foundation, will feature gallery artists as well as artists outside the gallery that knew and loved Mimma, and will celebrate her life and spirit.  The show opens on Wednesday July 30 and runs through Sunday August 24.

Gallery to Have New President - Robyn Feeley has agreed to take over the gallery from current president Debbi Green on October 1. “Robyn is one of our hardest working members,” said Ms Green in announcing the change, “She not only has fresh ideas for our group, but wonderful capabilities to do the job with integrity and class.”

Susan Lomino in Art Directors Show - We are proud of our Susan Lomino, who has had four of her paintings accepted in the upcoming Art Directors Guild show. The exhibit is being held in conjunction with Ghettogloss Gallery, and consists of small works by Guild members. “I was able to get 4 pieces into the show, when they asked for only three submissions,” Susan reports. The exhibit runs through July 18 at the Ghettogloss Gallery, 2380 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles. Phone 323-912-0003 or visit www.ghettogloss.com for details.

Gallery Plans Digital Photography Seminar -“Digital Photography for Non-Nerds” will be the title of a seminar to be sponsored later this summer by Topanga Canyon Gallery. The seminar will be open to gallery members and non-members.  “As the name suggests, it will be aimed at novices, not experienced photographers, and will cover tips on camera selection and use, necessary accessories, editing and organizing photos and digital terminology, with a free glossary hand-out for each attendee” notes instructor Ken Fermoyle, veteran photographer and Sketchpad editor.  Date, location, cost and other details will be announced as plans are finalized.

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