Artist Tanya Sugarman is bringing her work to the Heartwood Center this August. Her exhibition titled Dancing with Wonder showcases intricate paper collages that incorporate hand-cut plants, figures, and animals. Each piece requires significant time, often taking upwards of 12 hours to complete as she combines textures and shapes into detailed scenes.
Sugarman split her time between her home studio in Evanston and Mexico. Her artistic process began during her thirty-year tenure as a drama teacher for elementary schools. During that time, she created puppets for performances of ancient Greek myths, which sparked her interest in capturing three-dimensional storytelling within the two-dimensional format of a collage.
Her work explores personal themes such as travel and loss. Beyond the gallery walls, Sugarman adapted her art into a set of oracle cards to help others connect with her visuals. She created more than 200 distinct cards across four decks, which are now used by professionals in yoga and mental health fields. Feedback from users suggests the imagery often provides comfort and a means for people to process their own experiences.
The upcoming exhibition at the Heartwood Center at 1818 Dempster Street features her collages and cards alongside photography by Marsha Warren. The show opens at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 9, with a workshop and card readings starting at 3:30 p.m.