Mimma Salinas, who died last March of cancer. Memories of the former Topanga Canyon Gallery (TCG) artist resemble video clips, not still photos, her friends and colleagues agree. "Mobility or motion could have been her middle name," says (attribute quote to member who knew her well). That was true both in her life and in much of the work she created."

Mimma's work often portrayed female forms posed as graceful dancers The inherent motion suggested in these sculptures was strengthened because she built motion into the figures; they could actually pirouette on axles incorporated into the sculptures.

Born in Nicaragua. She studied art, primarily sculpture, in her home country, England, Belgium and earned a BFA from Pratt Institute in New York. Her work was displayed not just in our local gallery, but from Cambria, CA to the World Sculpture Park in Changchun, China, Nicaragua to New York.and Washington, DC. But the Topanga gallery was her artistic home base in recent years.

"It is only fitting therefore that the gallery will mount a special exhibit to honor a friend and fellow artist who left us far too early," reports Debbi Green, TCG president. The show, Immortal Soul: A Tribute to Mimma Salinas opens July 28 with a reception open to the public from5 to 8 pm on Saturday, Aug. 9.