Official Web Site of the City of Phoenix

Mother Earth Art Garden

Program Description:
Mother Earth art garden/school beautification will bring learners on a creative process that includes art, recycled items and nature. Learners will be able to explore possibilities by visiting neighboring gardens and possibly the Phoenix Botanical gardens (currently has art sculpture throughout the garden). I would also like to collaborate with the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Teacher Information:
Annette Maria Sexton-Ruiz was born in Chicago and moved to Arizona in 1976. She received her Bachelor's of Art from Arizona State University, distinction in Art History, with Pre-Columbian and Mexican emphasis. She completed additional coursework in graphic arts at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Art Education Master's program at Arizona State University. Annette was part of the Chicano Art Movement in Chicago's "Little Mexico" in the 80's, and also Self-Help Graphics in East Los Angeles throughout the 90's. In addition to living in Mexico City in the late 80's she often visited Puerto Rico and Ireland.

Her exposures to Latin American, Chicano and Irish cultures, together with a strong Catholic background, have been influences for her work. She uses bold energetic colors, similar to those in ancient art, and is fascinated with devotional imagery, religious iconography and ceremonial rituals of many cultures. In sharing with children, Annette focuses on the importance of other societies through learning about their art. They not only learn how to make art but also study art's historical purpose and the cultural beliefs associated with it.