(Phoenix, AZ - May 15, 2009) - Mesa artist Margie Porter will open her watercolor exhibit Monday, June 1, 2009 at the Visitor Center Art Gallery inside Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park. The exhibit will be on display for six weeks.

The native Arizonan's art is centered on her experiences in Arizona, but visitors will also see influences from her world travels and from the year she spent teaching in China. She has traveled throughout Europe, Egypt, Thailand, Israel, Mexico, and the Caribbean, as well as China. "Travels have enriched my life and given me subject matter for paintings for . . . oh, about the next 100 years," says Porter.

Porter has always been fascinated by nature and its beauties such as flowers, plant life, animals and fish, trees, mountains, streams and lakes. "A short time in nature renews me," says Porter. "Much of my art is realistic, some is totally imaginary, and some non-objective, but even those pieces have an organic feeling of plant life and nature."

Porter has illustrated two children's books, won awards for her art, and exhibited her works at galleries and expos in Arizona, New York and Las Vegas. "The satisfaction of painting comes through problem solving," concluded Porter, "Watercolor is an unpredictable and challenging medium."

Arboretum annual members, visitors and guests are invited to meet the artist at her opening reception Saturday, June 13 from 10:00am until 2:00pm.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is located three miles west of historic Superior on U.S. Highway 60.Arboretum summer hours are from 6:00am until 3:00pm every day. The exhibit and reception are free with admission. Phone 520-689-2723 or visit http://ag.arizona.edu/bta for more information.

For more information about Arizona State Parks call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit azstateparks.com.

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