Scottsdale museum presents first exhibition of Beth Ames and Julianne Swartz

March 16

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Mother-daughter artists Beth Ames Swartz and Julianne Swartz to present first exhibition at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art titled “Tender Alchemy.”

The artists are united by a shared devotion to transformation, healing, and the invisible forces that shape human experience.

Beth Ames and Julianne Swartz joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss their work.

“Both Julianne and I, we always thought our work was so different,” Ames said, “…she had the idea that maybe we should have an exhibition together.”

According to Ames, her work explores wisdom systems, as she explores the many different religions and philosophies to draw inspiration.

While Ames primarily does painting, her daughter, Julianne Swartz, does sculpture, installation, and works with sound.

“My work uses material forces like magnetism, light, and sound waves,” Swartz explained, “… I’m really molding kind of energetic forces.”

Swartz discussed some of the materials she uses in her work, including many craft processes like handmade paper, ceramics, metal, and wood.

“…but then, I combine these materials with these more ephemeral forces,” Swartz said. “…they kind of are performing for the visitor.”

Ames has a new series called Quantum Light, which includes seven paintings with the curator, Lauren O’Connell.”

“…she would like to create the environment with the new work,” Ames said, “…and I’m very excited because I just had my 90th birthday, and the new work is a lot about the soul…where we go.”

There is an upcoming opening of two new exhibitions, Tender Alchemy: Beth Ames Swartz and Julianne Swartz, and Mark + Making | Selections from the SMoCA Collection. The event will be held on Friday, March 20th, from 7 to 9 p.m at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art.

Please note that parking will be limited due to multiple events that evening, including a baseball game beginning at 5:00 p.m. We encourage you to arrive early to enjoy dinner nearby or consider using a ride share service.