Sedona City Hall painted with Harriet McGinnis’s oils

Now through the end of August, oil paint­ings by Harriet McGinnis are on display at Sedona City Hall. The public is invited to meet McGinnis at a reception Thursday, June 28, from 4 to 6 p.m.

“I always wanted to learn how to draw and paint,” said McGinnis, recalling her first art project, a Thanksgiving turkey poster created for her third-grade class. Enrolled as a fine arts major at Syracuse University, she took the basic college requirements her first two years with special courses in art history and graphic arts.

“I was honored to be selected for the first Syracuse Semester in Italy program through the Experiment in International Living,” McGinnis said. “There were 22 political science majors and two art students. Living in Florence was so inspiring.” 

Still, she changed her major to interna­tional relations upon her return to campus.

Marriage and a career didn’t provide time for art lessons until McGinnis moved to Sedona in 1991. However, she and her husband Jim still had to work, so her first class through the Sedona Arts Center wasn’t until 2011, studying primarily under Gretchen Lopez. Other instruc­tors have included Vince Fazio, Michael Chesley Johnson, Julie Gilbert Pollard and Christine Debrosky.

“Its’s such a challenge looking at a blank canvas,” McGinnis said. “When I approach a painting, I am eager to express what I see and feel, to use innovative techniques and to develop the brush strokes and use of color that will enhance the image. I am now learning the value and beauty of plein air painting. It’s not only fun, but helps develop a critical eye for nature’s color.”

Although it took nearly two decades to put paint to canvas, McGinnis became indirectly involved in the arts after her move here. She established Sedona Art Tours, taking visitors to galleries and artists’ studios.

She joined the Red Rock Arts Council and, in 1994, became chairman of the Sedona Sculpture Walk, remaining its chair for five years. She also served as president of Red Rocks Arts Council from 1995 to 2016, helping to raise funds for the first art in public places installation: The Sedona Schnebly monument gracing the entrance to the Sedona Public Library. During the ensuing years, the council continued to generate funds and was able to sponsor another project at the Sedona Heritage Museum: The Storytellin’ Cowboy, which included sculptures of two young children, Josie and Joey.

“Harriet was one of the first people I met when I began my work at the city on the sculpture installations at the Sedona Heritage Museum,” said Nancy Lattanzi, city of Sedona arts and culture coordinator. “I was always so impressed with her knowl­edge of the arts, as well as her breadth of involvement in the arts community over the years. Most know Harriet for all the signifi­cant projects she has helped launch for our community and continues to promote to this day. What most do not know is she is a gifted painter. I am truly pleased to finally exhibit her engaging landscapes, still-life paintings and portraits, offering her the exposure she so deserves. I hope the public takes time to see her work and learn more about this multitalented woman.”

McGinnis also formerly served as president of the Arizona Opera League of Northern Arizona, on the board of the Sedona Arts Center and as an associate member of the Sedona Gallery Association. She is vice chair of the Sedona Art Museum.

The city hall art rotation exhibits are in the Council Chambers, as well as the gallery in the Vultee conference room on the city campus at 102 Roadrunner Drive. To make an appointment for best viewing time, contact Lattanzi at 203-5078 or NLattanzi@SedonaAZ.gov.