Sally Hayden von Conta: Chasing the Heart

Historic Santa Fe Foundation (HSFF) is pleased to host Chasing the Heart, an exhibition of Sally Hayden von Conta’s plein air pastels at HSFF’s El Zaguán, 545 Canyon Road, from July 5 – 26, 2019 with the opening on Friday, July 5 from 5-7pmat HSFF’s El Zaguán.

Sally Hayden von Conta’s newest exhibition features plein air pastels that she created in visually compelling and inspirational locations around New Mexico. These places bring her solace and often provide an expansive landscape for quiet examination. While she selects them for their visual appeal, the locations solicit more that an optical and cerebral reaction. She feels a sense of place that many experience in New Mexico – the warmth of its landscape, the history of the land, the recognition of the passing of time through the light and shadows, the evidence of the movements of the waters and winds – and manifests the feelings in vibrantly-colored paintings. She was led by her heart to New Mexico and her work captures this emotional connection to the grandeur of the vistas of the state. This exhibition features 16 recent plein air pastels by von Conta.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Following fine art scholarship studies in Florida, Montana and Mexico, Sally Hayden von Conta pursued graphic design studies in New York City. This culminated in a 25-year career in advertising as an art director in New York.

Arriving in Santa Fe, NM in 1986, von Conta quickly became established as an artist specializing in mixed media fine-art, and since 2001, she has been working in plein air pastels. She has exhibited at Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art, St. Joseph, MS; Red River Valley Museum, Vernon, TX; and Museum of the Southwest, Midland, TX, among other venues. Her one-person exhibitions include shows at Galeria de los Colorines, Mexico City, MX; Century Gallery, Santa Fe, NM in “Reflections in the Moment”; and Leech Studio Gallery, Sarasota, FL. Her plein air pastel paintings have been honored with numerous awards and included in many invitational group exhibitions. Sally Hayden von Conta currently lives and paints in Santa Fe, NM.