Event Details

South Texas College’s Nursing and Allied Heath Campus Library presents "Sacred Breath: The Goddess Within," an exhibit showcasing the mixed-media artwork of Patricia Ballinger. The exhibit opens Thursday, Feb. 2 with an art talk on Feb. 9 from 6 to 7 pm. The exhibit will be on view through Friday, May 11, 2012 at the Nursing and Allied Heath Campus Library located at 1101 E. Vermont Ave. in McAllen. Admission is free and open to the public.

"Through the use of symbols, color and feminine, sensual lines and shapes, the exhibit transports us into the world of the divine," said Dawn Haughey, STC Library Art Gallery associate. "Ballinger’s work questions the depiction of the goddess and how she continues to appear in times of need. The artist views her as a gracious bringer of peace and inspiration, an ethereal being that is beyond vocalization."

Ballinger is an art instructor at South Texas College. She was born and raised in Mexico and had the benefit of growing up with two very different cultures and religions. For years she has been stopping at every open church during her travels to Europe, and collecting postcards of spiritual images. She is fascinated with the subject of the goddess and Mother Nature. In the last few years she has begun working in a small, two dimensional format.

"It is the sense of intimacy and immediacy that it offers that appeals to me," explained Ballinger. "The use of colored pencils takes me back to my youth, when that was the only thing I had to create my art. It is an exploration of my own spiritual journey."

South Texas College’s Library Art Gallery Program exhibits regional, national and international artwork, explores new visions and theories of creativity, and introduces innovative artistic expressions to the South Texas region.

For more information contact Dawn Haughey at 956-872-3488 or libraryart@southtexascollege.edu, or visit http://library.southtexascollege.edu/lag.