James Ratliff Gallery Salutes American Independence

SEDONA, Ariz. - June 11, 2014 - PRLog -- “Freedom of Expression” opens Friday, July 4, at James Ratliff Gallery, Hillside Sedona, 671 State Route 179, Suites A1 & A-2, Sedona, AZ.  In its 50^th anniversary year, the James Ratliff Gallery chose this themed exhibition, “Freedom of Expression”, in honor of Independence Day.

Nationally recognized for its ground-breaking exhibitions and mentoring of cutting-edge artists, the James Ratliff Gallery seizes this opportunity to showcase works which cause the viewer to pause, appreciate, enjoy and wonder about the images and forms they’ll view from America’s past and present.  James and Patricia Ratliff will feature  treasured art works from their own personal collection and will beavailable to chat with the public.

Freedom of expression is one of the founding principles of America’s birth and remains very much today a right which is ideally represented in art.  How culture, education and communication inform that expression from the individual artist’s perspective is the question.  This exhibition is James and Patricia Ratliff’s invitation to the public to add a new dimension to their holiday weekend and join in the dialogue.

James Ratliff Gallery artists explore the vistas of America’s landscapes, both inner and outer. ,real and imagined; challenge what’s within and waiting to be expressed in sculptures; assemble gems, stones, beads and found objects for adornment; reach into the depths of the past or paint the possible into existence.  It seems the 4^th of July is ideally suited to celebrate and present art.

“Art is everywhere”, .James and Patricia Ratliff engage the seasoned and new investor by offering a range of contemporary art which captivate, inspire and elicit appreciation. It’s a love affair, a seduction. Jim comments on the variety of work on exhibition at the gallery and its appeal for personal or business
collections: “For 50 years I’ve always told clients that it’s the rarity of the work that signals its investment value. The thrill watching clients discover what captivates them is an equal satisfaction of working in the gallery business. The fact that someone like Georgia O’Keeffe commands investment pricing is indisputable: her work is beautiful, recognized and valued. Someone like John Dawson, however, is a different talent. He fulfills the rarity component; he’s highly talented, offering signature visual statements if sometimes jarring images contemporary to our times. His work might not always be considered “beautiful”, but it’s definitely “rare”. All told, luxury offers the opportunity to engage….that’s what life is all about! The singular, enduring advantage of art is its permanence and the ability to savor that “magic” each day…It’s the height, breadth and depth – the essence of an investment.

For further information, contact the James Ratliff Gallery:  928-282-1404, e-mail:  FineArt@jamesratliffgallery.com, visit www.jamesratliffgallery.com.