Art exhibit represents "Finale" for retiring Gay Walker
The exhibit currently on display in the CHHS second-floor art gallery represents the end of a chapter for the artist, but also marks a new beginning.
"As an art therapist, I know that making art helps me process what is happening in my life," says Walker. "This has gotten me through some difficult and painful times, as well as allowed me to celebrate the beauty around us."
"This exhibit shows some different sides of my therapeutic art making," she added. "Art is my therapy, my stress relief, my form of meditation, communication, and connection."
The exhibit will be on display until Dec. 17.
Artist/Retirement Reception
Wednesday, Nov. 16
College of Health and Human Services - Atrium and second floor art gallery
Short program at 4:30 p.m.
Hors d'oeuvre and libations until 7 p.m.
Free parking is available in lot 104, just west of the CHHS building.
About Gay Walker
Gay and her husband, John, just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Her first career was graphic design and she ran Walker Design for many years before going back to school to earn her master’s in art therapy at Antioch University. Her art therapy work has mostly been with children and adults who have cancer, people with dementia and disabilities and those who are grieving and dying in hospice.
Gay earned her graduate certificate in holistic health from WMU, began teaching in the Integrative Holistic Health and Wellness program in 1995, and was coordinator from 2007 until last May when she stepped down in preparation for her retirement. In addition to her academic duties, Gay has curated exhibits in the College of Health and Human Services gallery for 10 years, a role that allowed her to meet many amazing artists who continue to inspire her.
In retirement, Gay hopes to explore more forms of art making and new materials, as well as to return to making jewelry. She means to flesh out her inner artist.