MEDIA CONTACT: Helene Snihur hsnihur@rochester.edu
585.275.7800

February 9, 2006

An exhibition of votive paintings by Heather Layton

TIME, DATE, AND PLACE: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, now through Sunday, March 5, in the Hartnett Gallery in Wilson Commons on the University of Rochester's River Campus

ADMISSION: Free and open to the public

In "Conversations with Saints: An Exhibition of Ex-Votos," Layton focuses on the Mexican tradition of using votive paintings, called ex-votos, to thank specific saints after a miracle has been granted. The origins of this style date back to early Spanish colonization. Her contemporary ex-votos reverse the roles of supplicant and saint and have the saint praying back to the people. The exhibit will feature Layton's work and the original Mexican ex-votos from which Layton's series evolved.

Layton graduated from the State University of New York at New Paltz with a master of fine arts degree in painting. She teaches painting, drawing, and multimedia courses at the University of Rochester and is currently the studio coordinator for the Sage Art Center at the University.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact (585) 275-4188 during gallery hours.

About the University of Rochester

The University of Rochester (www.rochester.edu) is one of the nation's leading private universities. Located in Rochester, N.Y., the University gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty through its unique cluster-based curriculum. Its College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering is complemented by the Eastman School of Music, Simon School of Business, Warner School of Education, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, and the Memorial Art Gallery.

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