Local artist’s works on display at Maricopa library

The works of a longtime Maricopa resident and artist are on display at the Maricopa Library and Cultural Center.

The solo exhibit of pieces are by Gary Zaimont, a self-taught artist who has a unique fascination with animals. The large-format works were inspired by visits to the Phoenix Zoo.

The gallery was selected for exhibit by the City’s Cultural Affairs and Arts Advisory Committee.

Zaimont, who is also a musician, has lived in Maricopa since 2005. Some of his art has been exhibited at the American Center in Paris and in New York.

His media includes painting, drawing, art photography, woodcuts, sculpture, plus set design for opera and a number of original covers for commercial CDs. Four movements of the Art-Music video “Zaimont Suite” are viewable on Youtube.

Zaimont has expanded the word “animals” to include paintings of two of his human models. His Maricopa models range in age from children to senior citizens; the current gallery includes images of two of his models – Susan (in Baltimore) and Ro (a Maricopa senior citizen).

His work with live models includes several sessions with dance students at
Desert Sun Performing Arts studio. In 2012, the Arizona Dance Coalition
selected a Zaimont painting of a dancer to be the special award presented at its
Spring Festival Gala at the Tempe Center for the Arts.

Zaimont’s works are also in permanent collections within private residences in Connecticut, New York City, Minnesota and Florida, and in Arizona in homes and business
offices in Maricopa, Chandler and Ahwatukee.

Musically, he has performed on flute and bass clarinet in Maricopa for more than a
decade with the Maricopa Music Circle chamber orchestra and created many of the
arrangements specially tailored for that ensemble. He also plays with the
Ensemble accompanying the Province Chorale and other area music groups.