While Katherine Heigl is renowned for her work in front of the camera in roles such as Firefly Lane and Grey’s Anatomy, the actress recently showcased another of her creative passions — art. Her first art exhibition, “Mother Nature,” which opened at Gallery MAR in Park City, Utah, on May 31, blended her love for art with her dedication to animal welfare.

The “Mother Nature” art exhibition presented a varied collection of Katherine’s mixed media portraits, capturing the intricate relationship between animals, humans, and the natural world. Each piece was a testament to Heigl’s artistic evolution, characterized by her fearless experimentation with pastels, charcoals, oils, acrylics, and collage elements. The result was a series of artworks that exude a cinematic quality, infused with drama, moodiness, and ethereality.

Reflecting on the opening night, Katherine shared her initial apprehensions, saying, “It’s been an incredible night. It was pretty terrifying, I’m not gonna lie. I’m super nervous. I woke up like two days ago, and the first thought in my head is, what if no one comes and no one buys anything?” Despite her nerves, the evening turned out to be a resounding success, with a significant crowd lining Park City’s Main Street and attendees eagerly waiting to experience her art.

What set this exhibition apart was its philanthropic mission. All proceeds from the sales benefit the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Katherine and her mother, Nancy, to combat animal cruelty, abandonment and neglect.

Adding to the exhibition’s charm, Heigl’s husband, musician and songwriter Josh Kelley, showcased his fine leatherwork art. From intricate saddles to detailed animal portraits, Kelley’s craftsmanship brought another layer of creativity to the event. “This whole thing has turned into such a wonderful moment in our lives,” Katherine remarked, expressing her joy at sharing this artistic milestone with her husband.

Entry to the exhibition was free, and both Katherine and her husband were in attendance for the opening night mingling with fans and art enthusiasts.

Katherine’s profound connection to animals and her commitment to their welfare is vividly reflected in her art. Through her creations, she seeks to amplify the human-animal bond and advocate for the protection of all creatures. In fact, it was her passion for this cause that emboldened her to exhibit her artwork for the first time. Heigl explains, “It was really the idea of doing [the exhibition] for the foundation that gave me courage to put myself out there in this way. It’s a deep, deep passion and purpose for me […] I see nature as a feminine energy, as a nurturing and unconditionally loving energy, so I wanted to remind the world that that’s there. So this show was my way of trying to speak to that.”

Katherine’s foray into the visual arts is not a sudden leap but a rekindling of a long-held passion. “I remember being on the set of Grey’s Anatomy in my mid-twenties, and I would sketch and draw in between takes,” Heigl recalls. However, it was a serendipitous encounter with Jane Davenport’s whimsical art supplies that reignited her artistic fervor. “I bought a bunch of art supplies for my niece for Christmas, and she didn’t end up using them, so I did. Suddenly I was knee-deep in the world of art again,” she laughs.

Heigl’s art is deeply inspired by her extensive experience in performance. Her keen eye for composition, developed over years of acting, translates into her visual artwork, where every piece seems to capture a moment of vitality. Additionally, her love for television and cinema serves as a muse, with shows like Downton Abbey influencing her artistic vision, as she explained in an interview with Gallery MAR owner Maren Mullin ahead of the exhibition, “I wanted to really dive into that world, because, visually, that show – the way they shot it and the way each of their scenes were set up – it was like art. If you freeze framed a moment, it’s like a painting. So much of it was so beautiful […] Because I’m so well versed in [performance art] at this point, I know how much work went into all of that, and it really inspires me. I love the idea of honoring that.”

Hosting her first solo exhibition at Gallery MAR holds special significance for Katherine. As a long-time admirer and collector of the gallery’s curated works, transitioning from an art enthusiast to a featured artist feels like a full-circle moment. “Gallery MAR is my favorite gallery in Park City,” Heigl expressed, emphasizing her deep connection to the space.

Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley’s “Mother Nature” exhibition at Gallery MAR offered a unique opportunity to experience art that speaks to the soul and supports a noble cause. For those who were unable to visit Park City in person to view the art, check out the Gallery MAR website which has detailed pictures of all of the exhibits, some of which are still available for purchase.