Jim Berenholtz (born 1957 in NYC) is a multi-faceted artist who has dedicated his creative endeavors for over half a century to illuminating the traditions of native and ancient cultures worldwide. He is well known as a composer, ethnomusicologist, and performer of music, theater and dance, as well as through his work as a ceremonial artist. But from early childhood Jim was also very involved in the visual arts, and that has continued to be the case throughout his life. His paintings place him clearly in the realm of contemporary visionary arts, while at the same time reflecting his interest in ancient iconography and symbolism. These works are structured according to the universal principles of the mandala, and of temple art found at sacred sites across our planet. Jim’s art has been published in numerous cultural and metaphysical journals, in the album art of his music CD’s and LP’s, and in his first book, “Journey to the Four Directions” (Bear & Co., Santa Fe, NM, 1993). Jim even has a clothing line that features the art designs he has created based in ancient Egyptian motifs.
During the 1980’s Jim exhibited his paintings inspired by Native American traditions at an art gallery on Gypsy Alley, off Canyon Road in Santa Fe, and at the iconic Return Gallery, just off the Plaza in Taos, New Mexico. In 2009 he was honored to be the November Artist in Residence during the Tutankhamun exhibition at the de Young Museum of Art in San Francisco, California. His paintings and other creations inspired by ancient Egyptian civilization were shown together there in a multi-media installation entitled “Temple of the New Sun”.
In 2017 Jim moved back to the Southwest, this time to Sedona, Arizona; and in 2020 he began displaying his art at local galleries, including the Sedona Arts Center, Bearcloud Gallery, Andrea Smith Gallery, and the Sedona Center for Harmony and Enrichment. He has also shown his work at Exposed Gallery in Phoenix and Solar Culture in Tucson. Most recently, in November 2024, he was the featured Guest Artist at Kee Gallery in Palm Springs, California; and part of a group show in February 2025 at Memento Morí Gallery in Lakewood, Colorado.
