A few of the paintings created by Sahuarita Art Guild members on display at Sahuarita's Town Hall. Paintings first adorned the walls in November after guild members and town officials discovered they had mutual interests.

James S. Wood / Arizona Daily Star

More Photos (1):

Other articles by Ernesto Portillo:

Ernesto Portillo Jr.: Art gives young muralists new hope Community notes Community notes A life story that is worth sharing Neto's Tucson : Oft-deployed parents manage to hold down fort Community notes Taxpayer Watch: East Side property deserves eyesore award They hope food will roll in Ernesto Portillo Jr.: Area's media pioneers still connect over coffeeHorses helped heal the rider

Health Care
Dependable Health Services
Physical Therapists Health Care
CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT Administrative & Professional
Jorgensen Brooks Group
Counselor Health Care
Sierra Tucson
Eating Disorders Program Coordinator Mechanical
Komatsu Equipment Co
Resident Field Mechanic Administrative & Professional
Tucson Urban League
CEO/President Sales and Marketing
Everready Glass
Sales Reps

As the town of Sahuarita grows and recreates its Southern Arizona identity, art has entered into the picture.

A small legion of local artists are putting colors to a public canvas.

There are paintings of desert landscapes. Imaginary images. Pastels. Watercolors. Acrylic.

And they are on view at Sahuarita's Town Hall.

The institutional walls are adorned with depictions of whatever comes to the minds of Sahuarita Art Guild members. Since last month, works by the guild's members have hung on the walls for the public and town staff to see and purchase.

The idea grew out of mutual interests with the guild and town officials.

"We knew we wanted art in the town center," said Sue Payne, the town's Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator.

Payne got in touch with Sherry Darrah, a former San Diegan and president of the fledgling art guild, which was looking for a place to exhibit.

The two hatched the idea of displaying guild members' artwork for a weekend display.

The Public Works Department provided the money to pay for the strands of wire and braces that would hold the art.

Darrah said she was uncertain how many paintings the group's small membership would provide for the exhibition. The art guild had formed over the summer and the number of active members was small, she said.

But the group is prolific at painting. Between 80 to 100 paintings were hung.

The art went up for a two-day public open house at Town Hall the weekend before Thanksgiving. For many residents it was the first time they saw the inside of the municipal complex at 375 W. Sahuarita Center Way, across the street from the high school.

When the open house ended, the art did not come down as originally planned. A suggestion from town staff came forward: let the art stay.

Staff enjoyed the art, which brightens the bare walls, said Town Manager Jim Stahle.

Some art hangs in the public entrance foyer of Town Hall and inside the council chambers. The art also hangs in the private corridors where staff works.

The artwork will revolve as paintings will come down and replaced with new works, Payne said.

The guild and exhibit have brought people together, as art often does.

Susan Morris moved to Sahuarita about eight months ago when her husband's job was transferred.

In Utah she painted and taught art. It was her special world, said Morris, who works in watercolor and acrylic.

When she arrived in town she turned to art to make her connection with Sahuarita faster and deeper. Morris joined the art guild.

So did Carol Flatt, who moved to Sahuarita from Safford seven years ago. She taught school for 30 years and after retiring three years ago took up art classes.

"I just loved it," said Flatt, who works with pastels. "I look forward to show my art and spend time with artists."

The art group is a diverse one, Flatt said. They work in more than paintings. Guild members work in different media, including textiles.

Darrah, a watercolorist, said as the guild grows, the number of projects and shows will expand. The members are excited and motivated, Darrah added.

The displayed artwork is doing more than exposing local artists. It sends a message.

Flatt said the Town Hall gallery demonstrates to residents that art is valued.

Said Payne: "We're also saying the community is valued."