By Mary Goldmeer
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An art exhibition at the Georgia T. Lord Library is serving up more than books, it’s plating food as fine art.

Local artists and community members gathered Thursday evening at the Georgia T. Lord Library for the “Kitchen Creations” artist reception, celebrating the exhibition on display.

The show, hosted by the city’s Arts & Culture Commission, transforms everyday meals into visual works of art through photography, paintings and other media. The free reception featured live music, refreshments and voting for the Artist’s Choice and People’s Choice Awards. 

The exhibition runs through Oct. 22 at the library, 1900 N. Civic Square.

Among the featured artists was Sulien Bruceta, a graphic designer and breast cancer survivor who submitted photographs of a layered vanilla cake topped with violet frosting, fresh flowers and candles.

“I took pictures of this beautiful cake that a friend of mine made that same day,” Bruceta said, describing her works Sweet Composition and Sweet Dream. “I wanted to show the good things in the middle layers, the beauty of the composition with the natural flowers and the candles, and an interesting way to present food.”

Her path to photography began after a friend in Florida, also a breast cancer survivor, shared nature photos that reignited Bruceta’s own creative interests. 

Bruceta said she hopes to eventually focus on photographing other cancer survivors, capturing their experiences during treatment and beyond. 

“I want to show there is no shame in being a warrior in the middle of the battle," she said. 

Her dream, she added, is to one day open a small studio devoted to that work.

While Bruceta brought the perspective of an emerging photographer, Goodyear recreation leader Donovan Perez contributed from behind the scenes, helping to install the show. Perez said his own background as a photographer and visual artist shapes the way he arranges pieces in the gallery.

“I think it just comes back to finding what pieces complement the ones next to them,” he said. “Maybe this artist did a black-and-white painting, I want to put something next to it with dull colors, then follow it with something introducing more color. It’s about figuring out how the pieces work together, not just putting them on the wall.”

Perez said the reception also serves as a networking opportunity for artists who might otherwise never meet. Seeing attendees enjoy the display, he said, is one of the most rewarding parts of his job.

“For people to walk around the space and really enjoy their work on the walls, it makes me feel good that I’m contributing to the community and allowing these artists to feel appreciated,” Perez said.

Perez said that offering artists space to show their work and gather publicity builds confidence in their work and a positive community feel, especially for new artists like Bruceta. 

“This is my first exhibition, and it feels amazing. Especially because I’ve always come to the library to see the gallery,” Bruceta said. “This time, being part of it feels completely different.”

Following “Kitchen Creations,” the library’s next show, “Futuristic Frontier,” will open in October, inviting artists to imagine distant tomorrows shaped by innovation and change.

Visit goodyearaz.gov for more information and submission opportunities.