With items on loan from the Mesa Historical Museum, HD South is presenting a retrospective exhibition honoring the life and work of artist Karen Kuykendall in Gallery 4 from July 19-Sept. 6.

An opening recepton will be held from 7-9 p.m.. July 20 at Gallery 4 in the museum, 10 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert.

Born in San Diego in 1928, Kuykendall’s rich artistic journey took her across continents and through numerous artistic disciplines, leaving her mark on the art world.

Kuykendall’s artistic education began in San Jose, where she graduated from San Jose State with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1950. She further honed her skills in illustration and motion picture costume design at the Art Center and Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles. Her academic achievements culminated in a Master of Art History from the University of Arizona in 1960.

In the late 1960s, Kuykendall began experimenting with papier-mâché sculptures, drawing influence from Mexican art forms.

Her camping and hiking trips to Canyonlands and Arches national parks in Utah inspired the landscapes for her famous Cat People Tarot paintings, CosmiCats, and fantasy illustrations.

Kuykendall’s impact extended beyond her artwork. She was an educator, teaching in Arizona public schools for nine years and offering extension courses at Central Arizona College and the University of Arizona.

Kuykendall died in 1998 at her home in Casa Grande, leaving behind a legacy of artistic innovation and inspiration.

The retrospective exhibition offers a comprehensive look at her diverse body of work, including paintings, jewelry, papier-mâché sculptures, and editorial cartoons. 

Gallery 4 admission is included in the price of museum admission, which is $6 for adults, $5 for those ages 60 and older, $3 for ages 5-12 and free for members and children under 5.