‘Too beautiful for people to miss.’ Take a look at international artist’s Columbus exhibit

Mike Haskey
·3 min read

A new art exhibition in Columbus gives art fans and armchair travelers a chance to see the world through the paintings of an artist who has lived and painted across the globe.

The “Wanderlust & Art” exhibition features nearly 300 works by Dorota Quiroz, an artist with more than 30 years of professional experience who specializes in large scale works in oils, including murals and portraits. The gallery is on display this week at the Heritage Art Center in Columbus’ Historic District, and is the largest collection the gallery has presented, according to Heritage Art Center owner Karen Ouzts.

“We have everything from realism to surrealism,” Ouzts said, “It’s a really gorgeous show with an extreme variety. I think that this show genuinely has something for everyone.”

Quiroz said she sees art and travel as two sides of the same coin.

Dorota Quiroz works on an interactive painting at “Wanderlust & Art,” and exhibition in Columbus featuring nearly 300 of her works. the public is invited to help her paint it March 20 from 6 p.m. -8 p.m. and March 23 from Noon -2 p.m. 03/20/2024
Dorota Quiroz works on an interactive painting at “Wanderlust & Art,” and exhibition in Columbus featuring nearly 300 of her works. the public is invited to help her paint it March 20 from 6 p.m. -8 p.m. and March 23 from Noon -2 p.m. 03/20/2024

“Art is like an adventure, like a trip to a new location, and you have to be open to meet the challenges, whatever is on the road, whatever is in the project, and that allows you to step outside of your comfort zone,” Quiroz said.

She was born in Gdansk, Poland, and has lived in Germany, Japan and the United States. She’s lived in the United States for more than 20 years and proudly says she’s a U.S. citizen. Quiroz moved to Columbus in 2023 and teaches art at Dexter Elementary School at Fort Moore.

“I love Georgia. I feel at home here. I feel appreciated and loved. And by definition, that’s what the home is to me, where I feel that way. So it is my home now,” she said

Quiroz says she’s been strongly influenced by her native country.

“Wanderlust & Art” features nearly 300 works by Dorota Quiroz, an artist with more than 30 years of professional experience who specializes in large scale works in oils, including murals and portraits.
“Wanderlust & Art” features nearly 300 works by Dorota Quiroz, an artist with more than 30 years of professional experience who specializes in large scale works in oils, including murals and portraits.

“When I paint woods and trees, I remind myself of home,” she said, “Birch trees are very dear to me. I love walking in the woods and by painting them, I return to that place of comfort and home.”

Quiroz said the nine years she spent living in Japan, specifically Okinawa, have inspired several works on display in this show.

“I was influenced by the beauty of it,” she said. “It was so exotic and different tropical in nature, but I also was influenced by the beautiful culture of Japan and the eastern philosophies.”

Quiroz is working on an interactive piece during this exhibition, and the public is invited to help her paint it. You can do that on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from Noon to 2 p.m.

Karen Ouzts, founder and owner of the Heritage Art Center in Columbus, Georgia, adjusts one of the paintings being shown in “Wanderlust & Art.” The show features nearly 300 works by Dorota Quiroz, an artist with more than 30 years of professional experience who specializes in large scale works in oils, including murals and portraits.
Karen Ouzts, founder and owner of the Heritage Art Center in Columbus, Georgia, adjusts one of the paintings being shown in “Wanderlust & Art.” The show features nearly 300 works by Dorota Quiroz, an artist with more than 30 years of professional experience who specializes in large scale works in oils, including murals and portraits.

“It’s free and it’s just something that should be fun,” Ouzts said, “and it’s part of them leaving their mark on Dorota and her time here.”

Brushes and paint will be available for participants, and Quiroz said people shouldn’t be concerned about making mistakes.

“If there are mistakes, they’re happy, like Bob Ross said. So we’re going to turn it into a masterpiece,” she said.

“Wanderlust & Art” show hours are 6 to 8 p.m. through Friday, and noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, the closing day.

The Heritage Art Center in Columbus, Georgia is now presenting “Wanderlust & Art.” The art show features nearly 300 works by artist and educator Dorota Quiroz. 03/19/2024
The Heritage Art Center in Columbus, Georgia is now presenting “Wanderlust & Art.” The art show features nearly 300 works by artist and educator Dorota Quiroz. 03/19/2024