Details from Shahla Reynolds’ “Le Sacre du printemps” and “Carnival” (Photos courtesy of the artist)
“Resilience” has become a popular word in recent years to describe personal strength in the face of tragedy. But where are we supposed to find this source of strength? Artist Shahla Reynolds explores joy and fortitude through her projects, now on display at Alhambra City Hall.
By Melanie Hooks
“Dancing in the Light” features Shahla’s work with acrylics and silks, including the brilliantly colored Carnival (above) and Le Sacre du printemps (below). Long drawn to strong emotions and ideas for individual pieces, Reynolds says she “strives to fill emotional and symbolic voids,” such as those created by personal loss. When we don’t have the words to express ourselves, or even the knowledge of how to access our own emotions—art can step in. She hopes that hers does.
“[E]ven amidst darkness, hope persists—like rainbows in the sky—urging us to move forward while acknowledging the past,” she writes. Reynolds’ public project commissions include sculptures honoring Oklahoma City firefighters in both 2000 and 2017, as well as a monument dedicated to the 14 victims of the Webbers Falls Interstate 40 (I-40) Bridge collapse in 2002.
A faculty member at several art institutions throughout Oklahoma, she has public pieces registered in Oklahoma, Oregon, California, and Maryland. She has also had sculptures selected for multiple years for Loveland, Colorado’s “Sculpture in the Park” International Exhibition and the “Art on Parade” Exhibition in Northglenn, Colorado.
Reynolds belongs to the Sonarta Art collective, which describes itself as “sculptors of hope” and “painters of bright colors.”
Artist Reception
Alhambra’s “Dancing in the Light” exhibit will hold a reception honoring Reynolds and the current display on Wednesday, August 19, from 5:00–7:00 pm at Alhambra City Hall, 111 South First Street. RSVPs for the free reception are appreciated at contact@sonarta.com, but walk-ins are also welcome.
“Dancing in the Light” remains on public view in the City Hall lobby Monday–Thursday, 7:30 am – 5:30 pm, throughout the month of August.
Detail from Shahla Reynolds’ “Le Sacre du printemps” (Rite of Spring) (Photo – courtesy of the artist)
Detail from featured Alhambra City Hall artist Shahla Reynold’s “Carnival” (Photo – courtesy of artist)
Thank you very much, Melanie.
I sincerely appreciate your thorough research in composing this article and am truly grateful for your insightful feedback on my work.
A genuine pleasure, Shahla! We love supporting our local artists and are always glad to see the local townships doing the same.