Special Events

A Creative Evolution: A James Rome Retrospective. January 7-March 1, 2012

2011-12-18T15:15:00.000-08:00

Geometry is all around us, and as Jerome artist James Rome sees it, it's the foundation of everything we're built on, evident in symbolism both sacred and secular.
His retrospective showing at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery, "A Creative Evolution" opening January 7th, showcases four decades of evolving art, ranging from painting to lithography to Rome's ongoing "Sticks and Strings" sculptures, and how each series and style transitioned into the next.
"I kept a few pieces around," the artist explains, "Within a lot of the work I'll be showing, there are things I struggled with. There's personal emotional connection."

Working in one direction until he feels he's taken it to the end of the road, he would often times cut off a series, switch gears, sell off equipment, feeling a sense that all exploration had been exhausted.
"Things began overlapping, splitting time. I'd taken print making as far as I wanted. I accomplished what I'd set out to do," said Rome, "The only thing I didn't stop was painting."

With background in both fine and commercial arts, including technical drafting, Rome's articulate brand of metaphysical art is an outstanding blend of technical finesse and natural talent, mixed with visionary magic, mathematics, and religion. He sees a unity between the mysticism of ancient times, and modern day science, connected by the geometry hidden in everything. The sacred and the secular.
"It's very obvious to me they're both there, but modern day man doesn't seem to get a handle on it, " said Rome, a founding member of the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery, and a resident of the historic town since 1966."We are spiritual beings living in a physical world. The sacred is shown through symbols and this is the foundation of what we're created on. Genetically it's part of our inheritance. It's a part of all of us. It makes you think on the vastness of the cosmos, and how we're just a tiny part of it. But we are a part of it."

Jim Rome finds inspiration on the natural balance of the universe, "The world's in flux all the time. There's a natural duality. Up. Down. Hot. Cold. Male. Female. The seasons. But in balance. We pretty much know what science is doing for us, but on the other side, the spiritual side, where is our bond with the natural world?" On creativity and evolution, Rome adds, "You don't have one without the other. Evolution is a part of creation. That means, when I create I am following evolution. We're following our genetic code. Even tiniest creature creates."

In the late 1960s, Rome's exploration of geometry created the first prototype in his multi-dimensional abstract "Sticks and Strings" series, the original so large it needed to be disassembled and reassembled in order to relocate it. Moving away from realism. Rome began to further abstract his visions "looking for the essence of what things are."

A Creative Evolution will feature works selected by the artist, numbered and accompanied by a take-away booklet defining each piece. Opening on Saturday January 7th, 2012, from 5:30-8:00pm,in conjunction with Jerome's very popular ARTwalk event, the show offers a chance to meet the artist and further discuss his fascinating ideas of the universe, and the both subtle and not so subtle connections between all things.The show runs through March 1st, 2012.

The Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery is open 10am-6pm daily.
Located at 502 Main in the historic Hotel Jerome. For more information call 928-639-4276 or visit the gallery's website at Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery

Holiday Membership Show 2011

2011-11-13T14:19:00.000-08:00

Jerome Artists Cooperative Holiday Membership Show

December 3rd 2011 through January 5th, 2012

Each December the gallery members showcase a great array of hand-crafted goodies in their group show. Ranging from large canvases and ceramics to tiny stocking stuffers, cards and ornaments, this seasonal favorite event brings locals and visitors alike together to enjoy the festive spirit of Jerome. The picturesque mountainside community is lit up with twinkly lights, luminaria and warm beverages to keep the chill at bay. A pretty dusting of snow often times hugs the mountain for a truly Christmastime flavor.

This year's Holiday Membership Show opens in conjunction with Jerome's popular ARTwalk, Saturday, December 3rd, 2011, from 5pm-8pm. Enjoy holiday treats and a chance to rub elbows with the artists.

The show will run through January 5th.

The Jerome Artists Cooperative celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2011. Since 1996 the gallery has been a town cornerstone at 502 Main in the old Hotel Jerome. Open daily from 10am-6pm.

Visit us online at http://www.jeromecoop.com/

Celebrate Diversity: Sid Freeman and Sally Davidson, October 1st- November 30th, 2011

2011-09-13T19:15:00.000-07:00

Davidson and Freeman to “Celebrate Diversity” at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery

October 1^st through November 30^th 2011

By Judy Yescalis

Jerome Artists Cooperative members, Sally Davidson and Sid Freeman are more than just casual friends and art colleagues; the two women also share the unique bond of long-time membership in the successful art gallery which is currently celebrating its 15th year in Jerome. Davidson is a founding member of the Jerome Cooperative gallery and was one of less than a dozen artists on hand to sign the first documents in 1996. Freeman became a member just a year later in 1997, and for both women, the Artists Cooperative has been a major part of their lives ever since.

Sid Freeman earned an M.F.A from the University of Wyoming in 1988 and received both grants and honors for her work in the ensuing years. Although she experimented with oils early in her life as an artist, she was most fascinated by calligraphy- an art form that was not only stimulating but which could generate income as well. In 1987, she opened her commercial art business in Wyoming.

After several years in the commercial art field, Freeman recalls, “The winds of change were in the air; the computer was pushing the hand-lettering business out the door. It was time to slowly work back to my painterly roots, but this time, I would include lettering.”

In 1993, she and her husband moved to Prescott Valley where she continues to produce her unique hand-lettered paintings. The JAC member/artist is very honored to show her work at the gallery. “Without the co-op, I would not have had the opportunity of interaction which has helped me grow so exponentially.”

Freeman’s thought-provoking, eye-pleasing paintings combine the ethereal nature of abstract watercolor images with carefully placed text and literary quotations which reinforce – or sometimes intentionally contradict- the visual symbolism of the work. Viewers are easily drawn in by the artist’s multi-layered approach, hypnotized by the rich colors, textures, rhythms, movement and meaning found within each painting.

Sally Davidson earned a degree in Sculpture and Art History at Occidental College in Los Angeles. She studied sculpture at L’Ecole des Beaux-Arts at Perpignan, France. Travelling to England, Greece, Italy, Holland and Scandinavia, she enriched her knowledge of the Fine Arts. She has taught art for many years and continues to display her work at the Jerome Co-op. Davidson’s body of work in the past has included sculptures in iron, wood, and clay-which are cast in paper and cold cast bronze. When asked to choose her favorite art medium, the artist quickly replies, “My current favorite is acrylics. I have been doing acrylic painting with a focus on unusual animals and trees.” Her choice of subjects for both sculpture and painting underscores a concern for some of the planet’s most endangered creatures such as narwhals –the tusked whales of the Artic, and pangolins- a nearly extinct type of armored anteater found in Asia and Africa.

Davidson has a deep-rooted respect for all living creatures and is intent on creating art which encourages awareness of our personal responsibility towards the preservation of all the beauty and diversity of life on our amazing planet. “I wish to awaken empathy with nature through my artwork. Art helps us to experience the world in different ways,” she explains. “It can speak to the emotions as well as to the intellect.”

The public is invited to enjoy an entertaining opening night party for the kickoff of the two-woman show, Celebrate Diversity, which runs from October 1^st to November 30, 2011

When: October 1,^st 2011 5-8 pm phone: 928-639-4276

Where: Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery in the Hotel Jerome

502 Main St. Jerome, AZ

What: Meet the artists and enjoy refreshments

Live entertainment by Sandy Hutchinson, song writer and performer with the Reno Opera

The Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery is open from 10am-6pm, daily

Night Blue 2: New Works by Brice Wood, August 6th through September 28th, 2011

2011-07-17T18:57:00.000-07:00

Brice Wood’s “Night Blue 2” series is the newest show featured at the Jerome Artist's Cooperative Gallery. The opening takes place during Art Walk, 5:30- 8:30pm on August 6th. In addition to the intriguing new works, gallery guests will also be entertained by open mic performers during the festivities. The “2” refers to a continuation of a theme the artist has been cultivating for several years. His “Night Blue” collage series has been featured locally, and also abroad, as part of a successful show in the Netherlands.

A founding member of the cooperative, Wood has lived in Jerome with his wife, Carol Yacht, since 1988. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, the artist was brought up in creative surroundings by musically and artistically inclined parents. Educated at New York City’s Cooper Union, and Boston’s School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Brice Wood’s fine arts training is in painting.

In the mid-1960s, Wood headed west to Los Angeles, where he worked as an animator making educational films and commercials. He produced title sequences for film and TV, and wrote storyboards and scripts. Into the 1970s and 80s, he worked as a free-lance designer, building and designing office interiors, furniture and restaurants. He also did typography, graphic design and product design, all while continuing to study and create fine art: landscapes, acrylic portraits, intaglio prints, murals and still lifes.

After arriving in Jerome, Wood taught art at Yavapai College and the Sedona Arts Center from 1989-1996. Taking an active role in his small community, he has been a Town Councilman, served on the Jerome Planning and Zoning Commission, and is Chairman of the Design Review Board. He is a member of the Jerome Chamber of Commerce, and a past president of the Verde Valley Astronomical Society.

Speaking of astronomy, that brings us to night skies, and “Night Blue 2”. Wood explains the significance, “For the past few years I've been doing a series of abstract collages. They are an exploration of the idea of darkness and night. The new stuff is 3-D. I use the same visual vocabulary, but instead of being flat wall pieces, the new pieces are objects. I'm also showing some collages that haven't been shown here before, too.” Night Blue 2 will be an interesting mix of wall art, and sculptural assemblages reminiscent of tiny theatrical stages. Says Wood, “Most of them are boxes with one side cut out. They are related to puppet stages and dioramas. They're a little like set designs. They use a lot of different materials.”

When asked if the shadow boxes are abstract like his collages, Wood replies, “I'm not sure what ‘abstract’ means. All art has formal qualities you could call abstract. The boxes and the wall pieces have many things in common.” Perhaps there is an element of surrealism? “I'm sure that's a piece of what people will see,” explains Wood, “Boxes containing diverse objects bring Joseph Cornell to mind. My boxes remind some people of Louise Nevelson, who made constructions out of black boxes. I think the pieces are closer to the kind of thing Giorgio de Chirico did, but in 3-D. I like his eerie dream architecture.”

The Night Blue constructions also mix in a continuation of another past series: “Wonderments”, shown at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery a few years ago, and inspired by roadside memorials, and the spirituality of luck and love. “I made a bunch of objects for that show. The boxes are an extension of that work,” adds Wood. Imagine yourself on stage as you wander the works of Night Blue 2. August 6th’s opening night will also allow local musicians and singers a chance to not just imagine themselves on stage, but actually perform between 5:30-8:30pm for the gallery visitors. Night Blue 2 runs through September 28th.

For more information call 928-639-4276, or visit the gallery’s website at http://www.jeromecoop.com/ .

The Jerome Artists Cooperative Galley is located at 502 Main, and open daily from 10am-6pm.

Summer Membership Show- 15th Anniversary. July 2nd- August 3rd, 2011

2011-06-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

Legendary Town- Legendary Co-op

by Judy Yescalis

Whatever one chooses to call it- historic mining town, former ghost town or officially designated Historic Landmark, there is no denying that Jerome, Arizona is legendary. In this unique spot on the U.S. map, dreams have been born and laid to rest beneath the summit of Cleopatra Hill for decades.

One of those dreams, however, is still very much alive and well in the year 2011. In a town that once boasted a population of 15,000 (later as few as 50), visitors will currently find over 30 working art studios and galleries, including the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery- known by locals and its 34 member artists as JAC. The co-op was created in 1996 by a group of 17 dedicated dreamers who envisioned a business owned and run by local artists working together for the good of both artists and community. In the course of its very successful fifteen years, the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery has become nearly as legendary as the town that spawned it.

It’s not hard to find parallel characteristics between the legendary town and its legendary co-op. According to a Jerome Chamber of Commerce publication inserted in the gallery Visitor Information notebook, “The workers who sought wealth from the mine’s were a brave and raucous mix.”

‘Brave’ would aptly describe the co-op artists who have been known to (politely) face off with visiting dog owners by requiring them to carry their pseudo-kids in their arms to prevent accidental ‘watering’ of long velour designer skirts which might trigger a loveable pooch’s natural territorial instincts.
As for the ‘raucous’ individuals, many an artist running the sales desk has been known to repeat descriptive tall (sometimes even truthful) tales of the region in public, causing fits of rowdy laughter to resonate throughout the 94 year old hotel Jerome on any given day and hour.

“A cosmopolitan mix of (of people) added to Jerome’s rich life and filled its streets with excitement.”
Indeed, the co-op is populated with a diverse group of people, including youth (well- more or less) and young at heart, home-bodies and travelers, professionals and amateurs, conservatives and hippies; what more excitement could one ask for than a typical monthly meeting where the whole bunch comes together for two hours of mandatory consensus and decision making!

“Jerome was the talk of the Territory- a boomtown of its times.”
Over the years, the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery has attracted the attention of visitors from around the state, country and world as well as that of local residents, due mainly to the quality of art and the large collection of works- from scenic bookmarks to fine art and much much more. Thanks to readers of the local "Verde Independent", the popular gallery has been voted Favorite Art Gallery in 2005, ‘06, ‘07, ‘09 and 2010.

“Jerome has always been a survivor; today it is very much alive with artists, musicians, historians and families… working together.”

The secret of longevity and success for both the town and its art co-op can be found in the mutual support and spirit of co-operation at their very core. Calligraphy Artist Sid Freeman recalls how, more than once in her 14 year tenure at the Co-op, her colleagues have come forward to help in times of family crisis and personal illness- jumping in to cover shifts and lend a helping hand. “Being in JAC is like being in an extended family; like real families, there is some ‘head-banging’ on occasion, but we get over it and really care for each other.”

The public is invited to join the artists as they whoop it up in celebration of their fifteenth year as a cooperative gallery with a special four week Membership Show/Exhibition. Each member-artist must display original works but is free to express ideas in both juried and non-juried format. For more information about the artists and their works, go to http://www.jeromecoop.com/

What: Jerome Artists Cooperativer Gallery 15th Anniversary Membership Show and Celebration opening

When: Saturday, July 2nd , 2011. Show runs through August 3rd. Opening fiesta is 5:30pm-8:00pm, during Jerome's popular First Saturday ARTwalk.

Where: 502 Main Street, Jerome, Arizona 86331

Info: phone: 928-639-4276 email: Info@jeromecoop.com

"Surrealistic Journeys": The Artwork of Raina Gentry and Bernie Lopez, May 7th-June 29th, 2011

2011-04-18T13:08:00.000-07:00

Painters Raina Gentry and Bernie Lopez both share a similar sense of the surreal. Each artist brings a different angle to their paintings: Gentry’s exhibiting a thick multi-layer blending of color and texture, and the work of Lopez distilling complex scenes into their fundamental elements. Both artists are California natives, and both currently call Prescott AZ home. Together they join forces for a featured artist show of new and exciting works at the Jerome Artists Cooperative. “Surrealistic Journey” opens in conjunction with the Jerome ARTwalk on May 7th, and runs through June 29th.

"Prana"- Raina Gentry

Crimson Geometry- Bernie Lopez

Ms. Gentry’s mixed media art has long been a popular highlight of the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery. She combines figural images of humans, nature and animals with heavy layers of colorful pattern and texture, lending the work an etched sculptural feel. A recent series of stylized robots has captured the imagination of many visitors to the gallery. Born and raised in Southern California, Gentry moved to Arizona as a young adult to attend Prescott College where she earned a BA degree in Environmental Philosophy. “Art had always been a part of my life, and I had often dreamed of becoming an artist, but I was reluctant to fully commit to my artwork because of typical fears that artists have,” said Gentry. One day while browsing through a roommate’s copy of a Griffin and Sabine book, an overwhelming feeling came over her, and she knew that she could no longer ignore the yearning inside her.

Taking a big risk, she quit her job at the college, applied to the University of Arizona’s art program, and gave notice to her roommates that she was moving to Tucson. All within a week’s time! “ From that moment on the universe seemed to support my desire, and propel me forward toward the goal of becoming a more accomplished artist, making it obvious to me that I had made the best decision of my life.” Gentry received her degree in art from the University of Arizona in 2002.

Gentry’s artwork incorporates her studies in printmaking, life drawing, collage, and painting, and is heavily influenced by her education at Prescott College. “I view each canvas as a playground for my psyche,” she explains, “Each piece evolving naturally and intuitively without structure or expectation about the final outcome. It is only in hindsight that I discovers the meaning of the work, sometimes not until years later.” Through this organic approach to artmaking, Raina believes she taps into, and expresses universal themes that many people can identify with. Through complex layering of various media, with a focus on the human form and nature, she creates meaningful, evocative works that draw her viewers in. In addition to the Jerome Artists Cooperative Galley, Raina Gentry’s work may be seen in various galleries around Arizona, including Arts Prescott, Tucson’s Bohemia, the tasting rooms of Page Springs Cellars in Cornville, and Arizona Stronghold in Cottonwood, as well as the Laughing Raven in Jerome.

Bernie Lopez is one of the Jerome Artist Cooperative’s newest members, having joined in November of 2010. Born in Escondido, California. Lopez displayed an interest in the natural world around him as he was growing up. At an early age, he started sketching his observations and soon discovered his passion to create art.

”In my 20s, I traveled around the Western United States, absorbing the beauty that it offered,” says Lopez. Inspired by his journey, he became interested in landscape and abstract painting. Working with acrylics, Lopez began painting landscapes in a realistic style from his photographs, calling his work ‘a modern approach to traditional style acrylic paintings.’ Throughout his artistic explorations, he continued to add abstractions to his paintings, combining a balance of natural landscapes, precise geometric elements, and monochromatic colors. Often featuring classic western scenes such as saguaros, aspen forests, and wild horses, his work walks a tightrope between surreal and hyper-realistic, distilling the characteristics of shadows, natural features, light and motion, into a perfect moment forever captured.

Today, Lopez resides in Northern Arizona, where he works from his studio/home that he shares with his wife and three children. Lopez's work is featured throughout the United States in both private and corporate collections as well as solo exhibitions in Arizona. In addition the to Jerome Artists Cooperative Bernie Lopez is also proudly represented by Arts Prescott Gallery in downtown Prescott, AZ.

“Surrealistic Journeys” opens Saturday May 7th, and the opening reception is from 5:30-8:30pm, during ARTwalk. Both artists will be on hand to discuss their work, and share refreshments with gallery guests. The Jerome Artists Cooperative is located at 502 Main, in the former Hotel Jerome. The gallery is open daily from 10am-6pm. Call 928-639-4276, or visit online at www.jeromeartistscoop.com for more information. “Surrealistic Journeys” runs through June 29th.

For more information on the artists visit their websites at : Bernie Lopez and Raina Gentry

"Sexy & Comfortable Art to Wear"- Suzen Brackell featured March 5th through May 4th 2011

2011-02-21T12:10:00.000-08:00

SUZEN’S ORIGINAL ART- TO - WEAR

According to Sedona fashion designer, Suzen Brackell, ‘‘sexy and comfortable is the only way to go.” The creator of the most distinctive and easily recognizable wearable art in the area will show off her versatile line of Sexy and Comfortable women’s clothing at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery from March 5th to May 4th, 2011.

Most of us women have fond memories of our junior high school home economics classes where we learned to love (or fear) the sewing machine, but many of us didn’t get beyond the requisite apron. Suzen, however, took her sewing lessons to heart, and today, creates her own unique line of very popular fashions in her cozy Sedona studio. She is adept at creating clothing with a flair for women of all body shapes and sizes, and can custom-fit her collection to enhance the silhouette of the body.

In addition to keeping her display racks at the Jerome Artists Cooperative full, Suzen also finds time to be the Art Director of the Village Gallery of Local Artists in the Village of Oak Creek. Many women across the country are currently wearing and collecting her unique sculpted creations.

The fabrics used by the artist have personalities of their own: easy care and durable, they range from light-weight sheers, 100% cotton gauze, polyester, interlock and jersey knits, polar fleece, spandex and faux fur, among others.

She starts with basic tops, dresses, vests and jackets and adds her signature touch, creating scalloped edges and tendrils of fabric that define her ‘original art to wear’ style which can be easily accessorized.

For her Jerome exhibit/trunk show, Suzen has created a myriad of fun functional accessories to embellish her outfits, allowing the wearer to go from simple daytime comfort to sexy ‘take-me-out-dancing’ evening wear. Matching decorative bottle carriers, fancy wristlet evening bags and wild and crazy, often elegant scarves made from recycled fabrics complete her total look for 2011.

Also featured in the show is photographer David Neely, highlighting Suzen’s fashions via his fine art photography. Neely made a living for 25 years as a commercial fashion and beauty photographer Dallas.

“I consider myself an Interpretive Fine Art photographer now, who used to be a pretty decent fashion and beauty photo guy,” jokes Neely. Upon moving to Arizona, Neely began his teaching career, which continues to this day. He is an Adjunct Professor at Prescott’s Yavapai College. Neely’s been a co-op member since 2010, and his photography may also be seen at the Sedona’s Village Gallery of Local Artists, and on his website, http://www.davidneelyphotography.ifp3.com/

Check out Suzen’s new website, http://www.sexyandcomfortable.com/ and find out how to spend a day at her design studio for a personal consultation, or call her at 928-282-8980.

Meet the designer, and her fashion photographer at the opening reception for Sexy & Comfortable Original Art to Wear on March 5th, and at the First Saturday Jerome Art Walk on April 2nd, 2011. Both events are from 5-8 p.m. at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery. 502 Main Street, Jerome, Arizona 86331 Phone: 928-639-4276

http://www.jeromecoop.com/ email: Info@jeromecoop.com

Western Color: New Work with a Local Flair. Feb.5-March 2, 2011

2011-01-12T17:33:00.000-08:00

“Western Color: New Work with a Local Flair”,

February 5th through March 2nd 2011 at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery,

featuring new works by Paul Blasi and Marjorie Claus

Lampwork glass artist, Paul Blasi, and batik / digital artist, Marjorie Claus, agree that color is a major factor in their new works. Their joint exhibition will feature Arizona images, expressed in unique colors, will be at the Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery, Feb. 5 – Mar. 2, 2011.

Both artists have gravitated toward color from backgrounds in black and white. Blasi’s early works were pen and ink while Marjorie’s were black and white printmaking prints.

Sedona resident Blasi notes that his new glass work reaches into the field of chemistry and thermodynamics. He states that glass is colored using a variety of compounds, such as iron oxide, cobalt, manganese, silver and copper. The final color in a piece is dependent on many factors, especially temperature. The atmosphere created in the torch’s flame, the time spent in and out of the flame, and the transparency or opaqueness of a piece of glass factors into how the final piece is interpreted by the eye. “It is this complexity of color control that keeps me interested and engaged in my work,” says Blasi.

Prescott Valley resident Marjorie Claus works in transparent dyes and inks. By layering one color upon another, or upon an image, the image or color remains visible, but changed when viewed thru the new layer. “I moved away from printmaking toward batik in the 70’s,” she states,” because I wanted to add color to my work. Now, with the dramatic progress in the field of digital printing, I’m thrilled to combine the three processes”. Although her digital expressions are recent, Marjorie has been making batiks since she studied batik in Indonesia and Singapore in the 1970’s. “By adding the digital dimension to my batiks, my work moves into a whole new realm of expression.”

Both Marjorie and Paul, having moved to Arizona from different parts of the country, find the flora and fauna of Arizona stimulating. You’ll find landscapes and critters featured when you visit “Western Color: New Work with a Local Flair” in February.

Please join us for the artists’ reception, during Jerome’s popular first Saturday ARTwalk: Sat. Feb. 5, 2011, from 5-8 pm at the Jerome Artist’s Cooperative Gallery.

“Western Color” runs through Wednesday, March 2.

Gallery hours: 10 am-6 pm, daily

Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery
502 Main Street, Jerome, AZ
Tele: 928-639-4276 http://www.jeromeartistscoop.com/

2010 Holiday Membership Show

2010-11-17T17:15:00.000-08:00

2010 Members' Holiday Show

December 4th 2010 through February 3rd, 2011

Looking for reasonably-priced, locally-made, unique, heartfelt gifts this holiday season? Kick off your shopping spree by buying local and direct from the artists of the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery. The gallery's popular annual holiday season membership show kicks off on Saturday, December 4th, coinciding with Jerome's ARTwalk. The holiday show is a great mix of varied styles, media, textures, and prices, ranging from large-scale wall art to the tiniest stocking stuffer.

Year 'round the gallery always features a great sampling of original local art, paintings, ceramics, photography, jewelry, glass, mixed media, wood, gourd and fabric art. For the holiday show, artists also create special seasonal offerings such as Christmas card packs, and ornaments.

The opening night event on December 4th will feature refreshments, entertainment, and a chance to mingle with the interesting members of the co-op. The Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery is managed, and manned by its artists. It's been a long time success story, ever since its inception in 1996.

The Holiday Show runs through February 3rd.
The Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery is open from 10am-6pm daily, and located at 502 Main, in the old Hotel Jerome.
(928) 639-4276
http://www.jeromeartistscoop.com/

Two Free Spirits

2010-09-15T19:03:00.000-07:00

“Two Free Spirits” featuring the work of Wanda Wood and Wayne St. John.
Opens October 2nd, and runs through December 2nd at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery.

"I don't know what I would do if I couldn't paint," says artist Wanda Wood. "For me, it's as necessary as breathing.” A member of Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery since 1999, Wood will share a featured artist show, “Two Free Spirits” with fellow co-op artist, Wayne St. John. While both artists work in different media, they share a similarly impressionistic quality, well perceiving and capturing the emotion of a scene, and the many varying degrees sunlight, shadow and color.

Both artists, Cottonwood residents, also share a remarkable assortment of natural talents crossing over into several arenas. Wood primarily works in pastel, and oil paints, but she is also a gifted weaver of artisan baskets. Mr. St. John is primarily a potter, but also paints in watercolor and oils. He joined the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery shortly after its inception in 1996.

“I took my first pottery class 35 years ago, but had to wait until retiring from the United States Air Force before really getting involved in the arts. I’ve been interested in the arts all my life, painting and trying to mimic the masters without any instructor.” After retiring, he began taking college art classes and workshops, “I took a pottery class, and throwing [pottery] came easy to me, so that was the direction I took. My pottery forms are simple, yet functional and my glazes often reflect the colors of the Jerome/ Sedona area. I like to let the glaze decorate my pieces. Runs and drips are there on purpose. Each piece is handmade or thrown on the wheel. No two pieces are alike. After a piece is made and air dried it is fired at 1800 degrees Fahrenheit to drive off the water and to harden the clay for handling, then decorated with glaze and fired a second time to 2400 degrees Fahrenheit. The last firing turns the clay to stone, hence the name stoneware. There are over 20 steps in the process from mud to the finished pot!”

Originally juried into the gallery for his popular and functional stoneware, St. John later added paintings to his repertoire. His paintings are lyrical and figurative, and capture the essence of a figure model, and the structures of natural elements. He has been an officer in both the El Valle Artists Association, as well as in the Northern Arizona Water Color Society, and has participated in many workshops with both organizations.

Wanda Wood began painting with oils 40 years ago. For the past two decades she has specialized in painting pastels on sanded paper. “The ‘tooth’ of the paper allows the artist to build layers of color with a blending capability other papers can't match,” she explains. Combined with Wood's deft touch and eye for realism, her work pulls viewers in, welcomes and warms them. “We all have special places that we hoard in our hearts and visit over and over again. A memorable landscape from childhood or a magical vacation, or maybe it's somewhere we've never been at all, yet dream about."

Ms. Wood’s landscapes reflect her passion for travel, and include scenes from Tuscany, Umbria and Scotland alongside those from Sedona, Monument Valley and Shiprock, New Mexico. Yet no matter how exotic and far-flung the locale, Wood's paintings exude a soothing familiarity, as if they could be located just around the next bend in the road.

"I don't know why I choose to paint a particular place," says Wood. "Something just calls to me. But when I'm finished I recognize that this is simply someplace I want to be.”
Ms. Woods is also a member of the Sedona Art Center, and her artwork hangs in homes all across the world, including China, England and Canada. She has been commissioned by national restaurant chains and has exhibited in shows across the United States. Her work is also on display at the Arizona Supreme Court in Phoenix.

“Two Free Spirits” opens Saturday, October 2nd, 5:00m-8:00pm coinciding with Jerome’s very popular 1st Saturday “ARTwalk”. Opening night will feature refreshments, and a chance to meet and speak with the artists. The show runs through December 2nd
The Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery is located in the old Hotel Jerome, at 502 Main.
Open daily from 10am-6pm, the gallery is managed and operated by nearly 40 local artists. For more information, visit www.jeromeartistscoop.com or call 928-639-4276

"Tales of Arizona in Rust & Dye" opens August 7th

2010-07-28T09:20:00.000-07:00

Jerome Artists’ Coop Spotlights Arizona Duo in RUST and DYE

It’s all about “creating fun exuberantly” for two native Arizona artists at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery. On the evening of August 7th, 2010 in conjunction with the First Saturday Jerome Art Walk, Sally Stryker and Judy Yescalis plan to do just that- open their 7 week art exhibition, Tales of Arizona in RUST and DYE by showing their newest works and entertaining ‘exuberantly’ between the hours of 5-8 p.m. in the old Hotel Jerome. The Coop member-artists will provide the public with lively conversation and some tasty Way-Out-West fare for their tummies.

Sally will introduce her newest collection of Assemblage Art ‘friends’ in the tradition of native Storytellers- an art passed down to her by her own well-known artist-teacher-Storyteller mother, Winifred Stryker, who lived among the Hopi of northern Arizona until her teen years before settling in the Page Springs area. The term “tsoona” in Sally’s publicity brochure is, in fact, Hopi for ‘creating fun exuberantly.’ The second generation storyteller will bring “Pootsa (Skunk) and her other newly rejuvenated critters and beings to life in her own original tales on opening night.

Judy is a batik artist who has deduced through conversations over the years- that in spite of their compliments for her work, very few visitors to the gallery have a clue about how a batik is created. She also has never forgotten one very important ‘teaching’ tenet from her many years in the English/Foreign Language classroom: regardless of their age, if you ‘lecture,’ at least half of your audience will nod off; ‘show and tell,’ however, and they’ll tune in!” She will provide a hands-on demonstration of the batik process in hopes that those in attendance on Saturday night will not only score 100% on their next Batik quiz, but will be motivated to try the ancient process in their own kitchens where they can create some purely exuberant fun of their own.

Both women are former high school teachers, and both can claim deep roots in the many familial, cultural and sensory wonders of northern Arizona and the Verde Valley. Though their ‘art’ experiences have been very different, each has been inspired by her surroundings to take something ‘old’ and re-energize, re-direct it to the relevant present of the art world.

For Sally, giving new life to rusty ranch tools, discarded feathers, buried bits of glass and stone, fragments of old weavings- is a sweet reminder of her past. Born in Jerome, she spent her early years exploring the mountains, deserts and creek beds of the area -often on horseback or in her paternal grandmother’s jeep. A self-proclaimed ‘pack rat,’ she began collecting treasures of the past at an early age, and continues her non-stop hunter-gatherer behavior daily- stockpiling tools of history once essential to the busy ranch life of the area that was exemplified by her own grandparents’ lifestyles.

Under the tin roof of her rustic outdoor studio (and in the company of passing javelina, fox, bobcat and occasional rattlesnake), the artist creates a sometimes naughty- sometimes nice family of characters after rifling through piles of old artifacts- rusty hinges and springs in all sizes, the ubiquitous ‘seen better days’ canteen or wheel rim. A sassy group of siblings, the Corn, Squash and Bean Maidens, a Billy Goat Gruff (somewhat unholy) Trinity, a not very warlike EarthWarrior et al. slowly come to life in her Creek-side laboratory.

“Some call my creations Found Art or Southwest Folk Art, but I would call them Transformed Art. The materials used in my works once served a particular utilitarian purpose and fulfilled specific human needs; now these discards have been transformed into symbols, themes and humorous statements about the human condition. Touched by the Arizona sun, wind and rain, the cast-offs of the modern world tell a new story.”

Indeed, fans of Ms Stryker's art in all parts of the country agree that Sally’s distinctive creations provide a humorous, sometimes irreverent but always ‘exuberant’ commentary about our own image of self importance. “We are reminded that our works are perhaps not as enduring as we might think,” she says with a smile; “Time, after all, alters every aspect of our lives.”
Sally is an active member of several art groups in the Sedona area.

Like Sally, Judy also views her art as a somewhat transformative process. Although she follows the traditional Batik steps of applying melted wax as a resist to cold water dyes on fabric, the end result is very different from the familiar centuries- old geometric batiked fabrics found in ancient Egyptian tombs and points east, west, north and south- all created with tjanting tools and intricately carved wooden blocks for wax application. In Indonesia and especially on the island of Java- a huge batik textile industry was born and continues to thrive today.
Judy’s art, however, is anything but ‘traditional’ Batik; it is created through the eyes and experiences of a modern landscape artist- more specifically an Arizona landscape artist.
Born in Prescott, she moved to southern California when she was 5. As early as age 11, the eager pre-teen would take the Continental Trailways 400 miles east to Pete and Goldie’s café in Camp Verde on the first day of every summer to stay with her grandmother during those formative lush days of gardens, ditch irrigation, orchards bulging with peaches and apricots, hummingbird nests.. and water snakes. Pauline Boyer lived within a stone’s throw of the Verde River, much to her granddaughter’s delight.

Judy’s subsequent fascination with local Native American culture, wildlife and the wide open spaces, red rocks and blue skies of the area grew with her over the years, eventually drawing her back to the Verde Valley and a second life in art.
“I began my ‘art’ career early as a hobbyist,” Judy explains, “playing for fun with the usual art media, but by the time my college years came around, all I remember is trying desperately to finish a single oil painting! There was always one more minute detail to add to the shy deer peering out from beneath a giant forest of trees- with a paint that never dried. It was awful!”

Then she discovered batik- in a dusty book on a table at the local swap meet. "Suddenly, there were controls beyond my own; I discovered that once boiling wax meets virgin fabric,- there is no going back,” she says with a laugh. “It all came flooding out: the brilliance of the procion dye colors, the combination of hard and soft waxes, the interplay between image and application, between water, fabric and color, the experiments with every possible kind of brush, but always there was unforgiving wax.”
The artist now spends her time creating batiks for both the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery and the Village Gallery on Hyw 179 in the Village of Oak Creek. She works at her nearby home in her ‘studio/kitchen where each batik begins with a detailed sketch on white fabric. She then applies wax with fine Chinese watercolor brushes and dips the fabric into hues of dye from brilliant to barely there. The resulting batik ‘art’ is very distinctive; each piece is completely unique and virtually impossible to reproduce in its original, non-digital format. The final product is a type of hybrid -somewhere between ancient and modern art and always with a loving bow to Arizona.

“There is still some angst at the finish line,” she admits: “a 50-50 chance the final piece will go in the trash. It’s nearly impossible to tell if you have created something worthy of the term ‘art’ when the entire project from beginning to end and edge to edge is covered with layers of wax that multiply exponentially and tease you to til the very end where wax meets hot iron and disappears into a gazillion sheets of newspaper!” But where this artist is concerned, it still beats painting in oils.

The Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery is located at 510 Main St in the old Hotel Jerome.
Tales of Arizona in RUST and DYE will begin at 5 pm on August 7th, with original Storytelling and Batik Demonstration to take place between 6:30 and 7:30 in the Artists Exhibit Room.

For more information, call the gallery at 928-639-4276 or visit http://www.jeromeartistscoop.com/

"Dreams" -2010 Summer Membership Show

2010-05-27T18:32:00.000-07:00

"Dreams"

Summer Membership Show-

June 5th - July 15th 2010

If you’ve been dreaming of visiting historical Jerome, AZ, then wait no longer!
This quaint mountain town offers some of the region’s best shopping experiences. Home to unique shops, galleries and restaurants, Jerome is sure to provide you with a memorable experience.

The Jerome Artist’s Cooperative Gallery invites you to visit on June 5th, for the opening night of their popular annual summer membership show. This year’s theme, as voted by the membership, is “Dreams”. With endless possibilities to interpret the theme, and with over 30 unique and individual artists participating, this show is guaranteed to provide you with a delightful experience. Art works exhibited will be in a variety of media including fiber, wood, ceramic, painting, photography, mixed media, jewelry and wearable art.

The Gallery’s evening reception coincides with the popular Jerome Artist’s Art Walk on June 5th when many of the local shops and galleries will be open later than usual, until 8pm.
Refreshments will be served at the Jerome Artist’s Coop from 5-8pm.
Please visit and allow this show to inspire you and your dreams.

If you cannot attend the opening reception, catch the “Dreams” show during the gallery’s regular business hours. This summer membership show runs from June 5th until July 15th.
The Jerome Artist’s Cooperative Gallery, located at 502 Main, is open daily from 10am to 6pm seven days a week. For more information, please call (928) 639-4276, or visit http://www.jeromeartistscoop.com/

Looking the Other Way

2010-04-20T14:03:00.000-07:00

"Looking the Other Way"

Photography by Mark Foltz

April 23rd-June 2nd, 2010

Opening night party on SaturdayMay 1st, 2010

Mark Foltz is a man of many talents and many hats. He is a jazz musician, a gourd artist, a photographer, and he truly does have a great collection of unique chapeaus. You may see him sporting many different styles upon his noggin. “I've worn a lot of different hats. They've all fit me at one time or another," said Foltz, a member of the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery since 2004. Perhaps best known for his gourd art, photography currently “resonates” the deepest with him, and is the medium he chooses to explore in his newest show at the gallery. “Looking the Other Way” opens May 1st, in conjunction with the popular Jerome ARTwalk.
“Photography is my ‘second creative incarnation’, after music,” says Foltz, “Gourds are my ‘third incarnation’. The last few years I’ve been splitting my head in two directions with photography and gourds. I thought it was time to focus on one thing for a bit.”

The title of the show comes from a conversation he and his wife frequently have while reviewing photos of place they’ve visited together.
“Later she sees the photos, and says something like ‘Where was THAT? I didn’t see THAT!’ We then concur that I must have been ‘looking the other way’.

What appeals to Foltz most about photography is, what he refers to as “The Moment”…
“I love finding that tiny fraction of a second Where All Is Revealed. This especially fascinates me in portraiture. When you interact with a subject, a revealing expression can pass over a face in less than a second. I love lying in wait for that, and trying to intuitively anticipate its coming. It's the photographer's job to facilitate and precipitate those moments in the sitter. That's the Real Secret of portraiture, to hear me tell it. You have to cultivate a relationship with the sitter, so that a trust develops. When people trust you, they open and reveal themselves. You just have to be ready when that happens! Sometimes, you only get a couple minutes to accomplish this.
“Equally thrilling to me is using a tool that disappears in my hand. Once I settle in to a subject, I don't think about the camera--It disappears! I know the machine well enough that it doesn't require much conscious attention.” Foltz also counts tonality as an important component of good photography, “I cut my photographic teeth on Ansel Adams' Basic Photo Series, and I've never forgotten that aspect of photography.”

"Looking the Other Way" will feature much of what Foltz refers to as "The Moment", "Whether it's a fleeting expression on a face, or lighting on a rock that hasn't moved in a thousand years, there's a moment. A moment of my choosing where the essence hides. I'm always looking for that. The show will be a gaggle of these moments.”

Foltz was born in Akron, OH. and raised in Cuyahoga Falls. He was an MP in the US Army in 1969-1970, and later graduated from Kent State with a B.S. in Photo-Illustration in 1975. He moved to Los Angeles in 1976, making a career as a computer whiz and graphics genius. "16 years in L.A. was a major education for me in the School Of Life!," exclaims Foltz. In 1992, he and Diana moved back to Akron, and in 2003, they finally landed in Lake Montezuma, AZ, which he refers to lovingly as "Mayberry-of-the-Desert". Diana runs "Two Feathers Healing Arts" in Lake Montezuma.

"I got my first camera about 1960, an Imperial Mark IV. Got my first 'real camera', a Pentax Spotmatic around 1968," recalls Foltz, "In those days, I was still a working musician, so my photography only happened sporadically. I really started to concentrate on photography in 1971 when I started at Kent State. I had decided to let go of music for a while, and declared my major in photo-illustration. The photography program was within the School of Journalism and a little too straight for me, so I usually had a silk-screen printing class going at the School of Art's print studio right down the hill from my photo classes and darkroom. It was a nice balance."
Foltz currently operates from a small stable of cameras, both film and digital. He uses two Nikon film cameras that he's owned since 1976, with four different lenses, a handful of filters, and Tri-X film. "Just this year I got a Canon digital camera, with a whopping big zoom lens; 12 megapixel. It's the first digital camera I've felt good about! I'll have both film and digital work in my show".

"Looking the Other Way" opens May 1st, 2010. A gala fiesta will take place opening night from 5:30-8:30pm, featuring refreshments, jazz tunes, and a chance to meet the artist, a most interesting and charming fellow. The show runs through June 2nd. The Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery is located at 502 Main, Jerome AZ 86331, and open daily from 10am-6pm. For more information, visit www.jeromeartistscoop.com or call 928-639-4276.

3 Ring Circus! March 13-April 21, 2010

2010-03-01T07:27:00.000-08:00

“3 Ring Circus”

Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery

March 13-April 21st, 2010

featuring:

Fashions by Christy Fisher,

Jewelry by Sarah Harms,

and Paintings by Ellen J.D. Roberts

-Opening Gala Saturday March 13th-

Kicking off the spring season in a wild collective romp, three artists with very distinctive styles and inspirations will join forces for a much-anticipated featured exhibit at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery. The show, aptly titled “3 Ring Circus”, will showcase fashions from Jerome’s Christy Fisher, paintings and photos from Clarkdale’s Ellen Jo Roberts, and jewelry and metalwork from Camp Verde’s Sarah Harms.

“Our individual styles all vary quite a bit, but will complement each other in an awesome way when grouped together,” says jeweler Sarah Harms, “Having a common theme, and completely different works will make the show all that much more interesting to view.”

Christy Fisher, a Jerome resident since 1990, is well known and followed for her popular jewelry designs, boutique fashions, and ever-multiplying offshoots into new creativity. A coop member for 10 years, Fisher was born in Jackson, Mississippi. Prior to Arizona, she lived in Florida, both in the Tampa Bay area and Gainesville, Florida –as well as Boston, Boulder, Los Angeles and Atlanta. “I like living on the side of a mountain,” she explains of her home on Cleopatra Hill, ”I love the sunrises and sunsets-- the view here in Jerome is incredible.”

Fisher has an eclectic rock n’ roll history. “I started designing clothing when I was in junior high school, and sold my first garments when I was in high school. I have always loved the fashion industry...even as a child, I designed clothing for paper dolls”. Fisher modeled for Seventeen Magazine in the late 1960s and early ‘70s, where she met many interesting and helpful mentors in the fashion industry. She soon was creating stage clothing for many rock bands, and folks like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney and Wings, and Frank Zappa's “Mothers of Invention”. “I owned a couple of shops in the ‘80s where I sold clothing to people like Leon Russell and Minnie Ripperton,” says Fisher, “I also performed in a few bands and did clothing for the tours. Some of the guys went on to perform with the Buddy Miles Express, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.”

Fisher continued on in the fashion business, where her lines were carried in places as varied as Macy's, Dillard's, Disney World, and the Smithsonian gift shop. She started her popular jewelry line in the early 1980s. By the late ‘80s, Fisher decided she wanted to concentrate more on the artistic side of design, rather than mass production pieces, so she began selling her work through art galleries and boutiques. Christy Fisher’s work is available through over 80 accounts across the US--including the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery. Fisher also owns 2 shops in Jerome: the Fool on the Hill, and Magpie, where she test markets newdesigns.

Why “3 Ring Circus”? Fisher responds, “One of my first summer jobs? I was the gorilla girl in the side show of a carnival”. Her other inspirations for the show are equally colorful: tattooed women, derby girls, sideshow wonders, clowns and carnival lights.

“I think the three of us are making a great bunch of clowns!” exclaims Sarah Harms.

A fan of the Rolling Stones, motorcycles, and fiery hot metal, Harms is one of the co-op’s newer members, having joined the gallery in May 2008. Born in Chicago and raised in Evanston, Illinois, Harms moved to rural Camp Verde, Arizona, 3 years ago with her husband and two young sons. “The Arizona landscape is very inspiring for me right now, and I have included some 'landscapes in metal' in the show. I also enjoy working with rocks, and AZ offers a slew of 'em!” Harms’ jewelry features hand-forged steel, beach stones, river pebbles, and gracious curves.

“I think forging steel is the coolest thing ever!”, she says with her typical high spirited enthusiasm.

Her spiral and heart series, in varying styles, are her most popular sellers. She is also creating brand new pieces withstainless steel washers, with a ring element, using sterling, copper, and gold overlays, as well as bells, to chime in on the “three ring” circus theme.

“For as long as I can remember, I have always liked jewelry,” says Harms. During her freshman year in high school a friend working on a ring for the jewelry design class inspired her. “The light bulb went on for me then. I quickly talked with my guidance counselor, to see what I had to do to get into that class, and made it happen. Senior year, I got a job apprenticing with another jeweler in her studio, where I worked for ten years. Originally, what probably inspired me to make jewelry was just me love of it. The sparkle, noise, and joy of wearing something cool. I still am inspired by the adornment aspect, but I am now more interested in the symbolism included in the work, and wearing jewelry as talismans on some level.”

The third ringmaster in this “3 Ring Circus” is painter Ellen Jo Roberts, member of the gallery since 1997. “This show is going to be outrageous,” Roberts declares, “We all share a common joyfulness that’s so cheerful and light-hearted.” Roberts also shares several other common links with Fisher, and Harms. She and Fisher were Verde Street neighbors in Jerome, and have joined forces for a successful featured artist show in the past. She and Harms share an Illinois connection. Roberts was born in Evanston and grew up in Chicago.

“Christy and Sarah were both my ‘neighbors’ at one time or another. Plus they’re both Virgos, and I seem to have an affinity for partnering up with Virgos. I’m married to one.” Roberts has lived in Clarkdale since 2001, where she shares a vintage brick bungalow with her husband, Chad, and an assortment of pets. She has a bachelor of fine arts degree from Northern Illinois University, and works as Group Coordinator for the Verde Canyon Railroad.

Roberts’ paintings are small economical canvases, ranging from 6x8 up to 12x12, brightly colored and cheery, in durable heavy-bodied acrylics. “I call it ‘maximum artwork for minimum prices.’” Roberts finds inspiration in the American roadsides, western highways, vintage travel trailers, nature, and neon signs. “I think the traveling aspect of the circus is the element I bring to the show. The romance of the vagabond life. Plus, I am really quite fond of this here valley we all call home, being so close to the natural world, the river, and the interesting local history we have. ” An avid shutterbug with a collection of vintage analog cameras, she will also mix some photographs into the show, including several images that were captured with vintage Polaroid Land Cameras.

How will the three artists mesh for the show?

“Are you kidding?,” asks Fisher, “We are the best sidekicks EVER---- All three of us have a strong sense of humor that we bring to our art.”

“3 Ring Circus” opens Saturday, March 13th, with a festive party from 5:30pm-8:30pm. Come one come all to the party under the big top! Refreshments and amusements will be provided.

The show runs through April 21st, 2010. The Jerome Artists Cooperative is located at 502 Main, Jerome Arizona, and open daily from 10am-6pm. For more information call 639-4276, or visit the gallery’s website at http://www.jeromeartistscoop.com/

"Interpretive Landscapes" -Bob Chadwick- January 30- March 11, 2010

2010-01-18T09:12:00.000-08:00

Interpretive Landscapes:
Through the Lens of Photographer, Robert Chadwick

The Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery will feature the works of southwest photographer Robert Chadwick in a six week exhibition, opening on Saturday, January 30th, 2010. Chadwick and his fellow artists will welcome the public during extended hours of 5 to 8 pm. Known locally for his expert tips on hiking both nearby and far-flung areas of northern Arizona and southern Utah, ‘Bob’ promises interesting discussion for photographers, artists, geologists and area visitors.

Robert Chadwick has had a camera in his hands since his teens and has often put it to good use in his life- during an Army tour in the Middle East, as journalism teacher and unofficial photographer for his high school sports teams, music and dance ensembles, and play productions, directed by his wife, Dee, but it was the advent of digital photography, coupled with a move from Montana to Flagstaff, Arizona, 26 years ago that turned the life-long ‘cameraman’ into an artist.

After applying his teaching/counseling skills at Flagstaff High School for two decades where he and Dee worked side by side, the couple chose the Village of Oak Creek as a retirement locale, leaving the pines and mountain slopes behind in 2003 to build a new home in the shadows of the towering cliffs of Red Rock Country.

The new retiree lost no time pursuing two of his favorite interests: tennis and hiking the local trails, always with camera in hand. Often accompanied by his best friend and 4- footed hiking partner, Woody, and armed with an ever-expanding knowledge and interest in geological forms, the artist photographed the vast land and skyscapes, hidden pools and secreted canyons of ancient embedded cultures while simultaneously studying the formal elements of landscape photography and painting along the way.

Chadwick’s fascination with the geology of the southwest and continuing passion for photography turned to professional endeavor when he was accepted 5 years ago as a member-artist at the internationally known Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery. His eye-catching vistas of red rock and turquoise sky accented by reflected water, delicate spring wildflowers and drifts of winter snow on cactus have subsequently found homes far and wide in the US and beyond. The artist’s work is currently displayed at the Jerome Co-op and at the Village Gallery of Local Artists in the Village of Oak Creek, Sedona.

Among the artist’s most memorable adventures are his early exploratory trips through the expansive northern plateau of Arizona and beyond. Often in the company of knowledgeable friends and armed with a desire to explore new regions, a long time interest in geology and his ever-present camera and film, he ‘discovered’ and photographed such wild areas as the Grand Escalante Staircase in the Glen Canyon Recreation Area, the Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness Area and the Paria Plateau before these sites were designated as treasures by federal authorization.

Most recently, the artist has begun to re-focus his lens to search within the larger landscape- in a sense, to extract and showcase the ‘abstract’ elements that create line, color, texture, and geometric form in a rock overhang, a mineral-stained cliff, or an undulating slickrock surface. Always fascinated by a silent reflecting pool, his work also explores the impressionistic effects water produces on these shimmering surfaces. To those ends, Chadwick has been busily creating a completely new body of work based on a more analytical photographic interpretation of the natural elements which surround us and which he has come to know so intimately. It is this collection of ‘reinvented’ landscapes that will form the core of his upcoming 6 week exhibition as the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery featured artist.

"Interpretive Landscapes" opens January 30th, 2010 5-8 pm in the old Hotel Jerome,

502 Main St., Jerome, AZ. 928-639-4276
http://www.jeromecoop.com/ jacooperative@qwest.net

Holiday Membership Show- Opens December 5th, 2009

2009-11-19T09:33:00.000-08:00

2009 Holiday Show artwork by Mark Foltz

Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery’s Annual Holiday Membership Show
December 5th- January 23rd

Opening with seasonal flair on December 5th, coinciding with Jerome’s very popular ARTwalk event, the Jerome Artists Cooperative’s annual Holiday Membership Show will feature a festive selection of its artists’ finest offerings.
From small stocking stuffers, and functional household crafts, clothing, and jewelry, to large-scale masterpieces, the membership will display a wide variety of original art to meet anyone’s budget.
With over 35 members, all local residents, the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery is a fantastic place to seek special gifts for those on your Christmas list. The gallery is home to fine art of all price ranges: paintings in oil, acrylic, ink, water color, and mixed media, photography, fiber art, jewelry of recycled materials, forged iron, steel, glass and titanium, sculptures and functional works made from gourds, turned wood, glass, papier mache, and clay. One may also purchase prints of original artworks, available in many different sizes, both framed and unframed. In addition to the great variety of art regularly displayed at the co-op, seasonal special items are available during this show, such as Christmas cards, ornaments, and other holiday themed goodies.

Opening night for the Holiday Membership Show is Saturday, December 5th, 2009, 5:30pm-8pm, during Jerome’s ARTwalk. The streets of Jerome will be bustling with holiday shoppers and the spirits of the season. Refreshments will be served, and co-op artists will be present, to share in the good cheer.

The Jerome Artists Cooperative is located at 502 Main, in the former Hotel Jerome (c.1917). Open daily from 10am-6pm, the gallery is managed and operated by its members, all local artists, ranging from Prescott to Sedona, with the majority of its members residing in Jerome, Cottonwood, Clarkdale, and Camp Verde areas.Phone 639-4276, or visit the gallery online at www.jeromeartistscoop.com for more information.

"One Woman Show" October 24-Dec. 3rd- New works by featured artist Judy Jaaskelainen

2009-10-14T10:44:00.000-07:00

Clarkdale resident, Judy Jaaskelainen, a popular watercolor artist, and member of the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery since 2002, presents a brand new body of art in her upcoming “One Woman Show.” The featured show opens October 24th, and runs through December 3rd.

Jaaskelainen, a vibrant spirit, grew up in California, and was young mother of 3 before she was out of her teen years. “At 64, I am the matriarch of a large and loving family. It is rare to find a family so close and dedicated to maintaining the strong bonds that unite us. We are always present for one another in crisis.”
Always artistically inclined, Jaaskelainen began painting seriously in the 1970's while living in Southern California and recuperating from spinal surgery. “My painting experience up to that time was in oils and acrylics on canvas. I began to visit galleries, art museums and exhibits and developed a deep appreciation for the art of watercolor. In essence, I was hooked. I located watercolor artists in the area whose work I felt strongly about and studied with them to develop my skills”.

Jaaskelainen graduated from Loma Linda University with a degree in Occupational Therapy. “I specialized in the treatment of patients with Spinal Cord Injury, Arthritis, and Children with Physical Disabilities.”
She is a juried member of Northern Arizona Watercolor Society, and also a member of the Arizona Watercolor Association, and Watercolor West.

"I have been painting in watercolor for over 20 years. I love the transparent properties of watercolor paints and how I can let the medium ‘do it’s thing’ on wet paper which sometimes feels like the painting is creating itself,” she says with her typical bright-eyed enthusiasm.

Where does Jaaskelainen gather her inspiration? “The natural beauty of Southwest, beautiful people in my life, beautiful animals and my sense of humor,” she says, “I usually have 2-5 paintings going at the same time and the subject matter varies, so I have more than one palette going most of the time.”

“Some of my paintings are like children showing-off for their mother with bright, bold colors that shout, ‘Hey, look at me! See how my colors bounce off the paper!’ Other of my works are tranquil and serene.”

The opening reception for “One Woman Show” is Saturday, October 24th at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery, 502 Main Street from 5:30pm-8:00pm. Refreshments and food will be served. The show will run through December 3rd, and will also be the featured show during next month’s ARTwalk, November 7th

The Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery is open daily from 10 a.m-6 p.m. and until 8 p.m. during openings and art walks. For more information, call 928-639-4276 or visit http://www.jeromeartistscoop.com/ .

Ghost Walk in Jerome

2009-10-09T11:36:00.001-07:00

This weekend in Jerome is the annual Ghost Walk, with various tours being given around town, that include lectures on Jerome's history, and stories about some it's most (in)famous permanent residents. Reservations are required, but if you don't make one, c'mon up anyway for a fabulous weekend on Cleopatra Hill!!

More info on the Jerome Ghost Walk at this link: Jerome Historical Society.

October ArtWalk

2009-10-04T07:06:00.000-07:00

The October ArtWalk in Jerome was a great success! The full moon rising over the Verde Valley gave everyone a beautiful view from Jerome, and the mild weather brought a bunch of people out to our awesome little town.

Sarah Harms' parents were visiting from Chicago, and enjoyed the evening. Her Dad, Gil, is chillin' here near V. Norton's display of ceramics.

Some customers check out Christy Fisher's jewelry and Raina Gentry's paintings.

The new town manager, in center of pic, Claudia (forgot her last name SORRY), came to check out the gallery and chat it up a bit.

Sarah Harms worked the front desk, while her mom kept an eye on the snack table. Thanks Mom!!!

Mary Jardine in the featured artist's room, discussing her work with Sarah's mom, Carolyn. Mary sold 13 pieces yesterday!!!!

Jerome October ArtWalk

2009-10-01T06:24:00.000-07:00

The ArtWalk in Jerome is this Saturday, Oct 3, for 5-8pm.

Mary Jardine will be on hand to discuss her latest works in fabric. Goodies will be served.

Arizona Landscapes in Fiber • New Works by Mary Jardine

2009-09-10T17:52:00.000-07:00

September 12, 2009 - October 21, 2009

Mary Jardine, a popular artist at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery for nearly a decade, presents a brand new body of fiber art in her upcoming featured artist show, “Arizona Landscapes in Fiber.” The show opens September 12th, and runs through October 21st.

Jardine is a fiber artist, known for her “Fabrications”, creating wall hangings and artful scenes, using fabric as her medium. Sewing, quilting, cutting and gluing, she brings together the different colors and textures of the canvas in unusual and delightful ways.

“After taking a class in papier-mache from ‘The Chicken Lady of San Miguel, Mexico’, Karen Letcher, at the Quilters’ Quarters in Cottonwood, I adapted my technique to three-dimensional and sculptural landscapes,” explained Jardine. Many of the materials she uses are recycled---clothing, yarns and silk flowers from the thrift store, discarded newsprint, dried bark, branches, pods, fungi and driftwood from meadows, forests and beaches.

“This new work has added many levels of the creative process to my fiber work, such as the papier-mache techniques of painting, molding and sculpting.”

Jardine, resident of Cottonwood, is a traveler, visiting wilderness and camping in her van,“I absorb wonderful landscape images and retrieve them from memory as I begin each new piece.”
A member of the Jerome Artists Cooperative since 2000, Jardine also exhibits at the The Quilt Store and Gallery in West Sedona.

The opening reception for “Arizona Landscapes in Fiber” is Saturday, September 12 at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery, 502 Main Street from 5:30pm-8:00pm. Refreshments and food will be served, and Larry Aker will perform live music for the gallery’s guests.
Jardine's show will run through October 21st.

By Ellen J.D. Roberts

Artwork © Mary Jardine

Be it Ever So Humble... New Works by Michele Cokl Naylor

2009-08-01T22:12:00.000-07:00

August 1, 2009 - September 9, 2009

Family • Mixed media collage by Michele Cokl Naylor

Ever look through a box of old photos, only to discover unfamiliar faces among the ancestors? It seems every family has a few snapshots nobody can identify. That became the foundation on which Michele Cokl Naylor built her new exhibition at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery, "Be It Ever So Humble..."

As family historian, Naylor always tried to solve those domestic mysteries, to put names to faces and places. Yet when she wasn't able to do so, she found herself even more intrigued pondering the stories of these strangers. She began visiting antique stores in search of orphaned photographs from different eras.

Happiness • Mixed media collage by Michele Cokl Naylor

"I wondered about the lives of these people," Naylor says. "Were they happy? Was this their best suit of clothes? Why had they chosen to document that particular moment? Sometimes you can just see the hope and promise in their eyes. It was something I learned from my mother, that you never throw a photo away, even if you don't know who's in it. A photo always has worth because it captured a moment that will never exist again."

She gravitated to photos of families and their homes, a style that began in the late 1800s, as itinerant photographers carried their equipment through the countryside. Often family members would gather in the yard, sitting on chairs in front of their house.

"Owning a home was such a point of pride and it was a significant part of the family. Of course, it would be included in a photograph," says Naylor. "And now decades later, with so many people fighting to stay in their homes, we're reminded all over again of the powerful bond between family and house."

Known as a fiber artist and doll-maker, Naylor has been a member of the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery for 11 years. For her show, "Be It Ever So Humble…," she creates mixed media collage built around digitally enhanced photographs dating from the 1870s through the 1940s, all while incorporating her love of color and texture in the process.

"I have such admiration for women who, through the years, would work all day, then sit in the evening making quilts. I'm not a quilter in the traditional sense but have included fabric in many of the pieces for this show and often use a patchwork layout," says Naylor.

Braids • Mixed media collage by Michele Cokl Naylor

"Be It Ever So Humble…" is a portrait of a time very different from today, yet perhaps familiar as well.

"No matter how difficult things seem, we all want to concentrate on what's truly important and that will always be family and home," says Naylor. "I hope my show will evoke an appreciation of those who went before us, of how they lived and dreamed. And if anyone is inspired to look through their family albums, I would be delighted to create an original piece of art for them utilizing their own photos."

"Be It Ever So Humble…" will be on display at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery from August 1 through September 9. The show's opening on Saturday Aug 1 at 5 p.m. coincides with the always popular Jerome Art Walk. Opening night will feature music from the 1920s and '30s, refreshments and a chance to meet the artist and discuss home and family and the creative process.

Yes We Can! • Summer Membership Show

2009-05-22T22:03:00.000-07:00

May 22, 2009 - July 29, 2009
Opening Gala on Saturday June 8, 2009

Can we make it? Yes we can!

“Yes We Can” is the uplifting theme chosen by the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery members for their annual summer membership show. Determined to survive and thrive in these sometimes uncertain economic times, the artists are moving forward, creating new and exciting works, all with affordable pricing, and chock full of “can do” attitude that makes the United States a great land.

Featuring the works of nearly 40 local artists, and craftspeople, the Jerome Artists Cooperative has been an important fixture in Jerome since its inception in 1996.

Anchoring the lower portion of the shopping district, the co-op makes its home in the historic Hotel Jerome, built in 1917. Just as Jerome has seen boom and bust, and survived, the artists of the town are committed to making a go of it, even when the chips temporarily appear to be down. The “Yes We Can!” show promises cheerful ebullience, a light-hearted summery treat, with a little something for everyone. The show will run from May 21st through July 29th and feature fresh new works by all gallery members. “Yes We Can” opens on June 6th, from 5pm to 8pm, coinciding with the every popular First Saturday Jerome ARTwalk. The festive “star-spangled” opening gala will feature refreshments and a chance to meet local artists.

The “Yes We Can” theme also does double-duty in its meaning --the gallery members plan to hold a canned food drive during the show. Canned food donations are welcome at the gallery, to be donated to local food banks.

Victoria Norton • Abstractions

2009-04-04T21:56:00.000-07:00

April 4, 2009 - May 20, 2009

An exhibition of exciting new works called “Abstractions”, by local artist V. Norton, opens at the Jerome Artists Cooperative in Jerome, AZ on Saturday April 4, 2009. The public is invited to the opening reception on that evening from 5 pm to 8pm, with music and refreshments.

The artist likes working with different geometrical forms. Combining these forms created breakthrough ceramic sculptures, including hanging Raku Wall pieces, which allows the clay to become the canvas for these contemporary interpretations.

Ms. Norton began her life long passion for ceramics after graduating from UCLA. Another love is calligraphy. “I’ve always loved letterforms and saw myself creating these beautiful shapes.” She then began 10 years of formal study with a master calligrapher. She now works as a free lance calligrapher and teacher, most recently at NAU.

The show will highlight a dramatic a new calligraphic presentation named, “Words” on an 8 foot unfolding scroll, as well as other new art forms.

Through the Jerome Artists Cooperative, V Norton’s art-works have been purchased by collectors worldwide. We invite you to the gallery to see her other creations as well as the wonderments of this show “Abstractions”.

Rex Peters • Wood That I Would

2009-03-07T21:49:00.000-08:00

March 7, 2009 - April 1, 2009

Woodturner Rex Peters is one of the original founding members of the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery, and has been an active with the gallery since its inception in 1996. Peters is “passionately, maniacally, wildly enthusiastic about the co-op, as members of the co-op can attest.” His duties as gallery manager leave him with little spare time, so his upcoming featured-artist show, “Wood That I Would”, is only his 3rd in the past 13 years. This rare treat will showcase new and exciting works, such as sculptural pieces, and furniture quality pedestals, as well as favorites from the past decade-- bowls, boxes, and wine bottle stoppers. Peters has been turning wood for over 20 years. “In 1988 I turned my first bowl. It took me days to turn that thing. I still have it. I still use it.”

Using many local woods, Peters often creates using mesquite, black walnut and other woods found locally in Arizona. “I like mesquite because we’ve got a lot of it, and the tourists like it. I use apricot whenever I find it because it smells so good, like dried apricots.” He also now features copper inlays in many of his pieces because, as Peters says, “Copper screeches ‘Arizona’".

Red Pedestal and Natural Edge Mesquite Bowl with Copper Inlay by Rex Peters.

Peters is a native of Washington State. “I had always been self-employed. I went to trade school and studied hydraulics, and became a mechanic. Even though I had a lot of aptitude for being mechanical, I had no aptitude at all for being a salesman,” explained Peters. In the 1980s he began an annual winter trek to the southwest, camping in the deserts, and meeting artisans and craftspeople. Inspired by these encounters, Peters decided he wanted to be a craftsperson. Initially he began learning the skill of metal spinning, forming metal into shapes, after inheriting tools and a lathe left to him by his father. “I got sidetracked into making bowls and never learned to be a metal spinner.” After encountering friendly and encouraging artists in Jerome, Peters began a yearly winter pilgrimage there in the 1990s, specifically to sell his wares in Jerome’s Art Park. He finally moved to the Verde Valley full time in 1993. “I’ve been here since the police made me move here,” he says with a chuckle. He’d been living in his bus, renting shop space, and selling his work at the Art Park. “The police chief didn’t like that my bus was parked in his favorite shooting place. In the end we agreed I could stay if I got Arizona plates on my truck, a little orange pickup with a pumpkin bolted on top” Peters sold the bus and bought a small travel trailer and parked it behind a friend’s chicken coop, “much to the chagrin of the chickens,” he laughs.

Peters’ home and workshop are in Cottonwood. He makes his yearly pilgrimages in reverse now, visiting Washington and the Pacific Northwest each summer to reconnect with family and friends, and collect more wood to turn. The “Wood That I Would” show will also feature a heritage wood from Peter’s family history. His grandfather developed a strand of English Walnut, “Schaeffer Walnut”, adapted to survive in Washington, to develop as a cash crop. “But nut crops never took off like they did in California.” The show will also feature artwork made from a weeping willow that Peters used to play under as a child.

“Wood That I Would” will open on Saturday, March 7th, to coincide with the ever popular Jerome ART walk. Opening night will feature live music by Clarkdale musician Roger Curry, refreshments, camaraderie and a chance to meet the artist, an interesting and unusual fellow. “Wood That I Would” runs through April 1st, 2009.

Brice Wood • Wonderments

2009-01-03T21:31:00.000-08:00

January 3, 2009 - February 18, 2009

Starting on January 3 the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery will have an exhibition featuring founding member Brice Wood’s new work. It being the start of a new year, the show is also something fresh and new from the artist, who explains, “This show is a departure for me and the gallery because the pieces are in related groups and the exhibition is more an installation about an idea than a traditional collection.”

Wood is a native Ohioan who spent most of his adult life in Los Angeles, before he and his wife arrived in Jerome in 1988. In California, Wood was an artist, animator, and designer. With education at the esteemed Cooper Union, in New York, and the Boston Museum School, Wood’s scholastic background influences a profoundly intellectual and deep thinking angle to his artwork. The Wonderments show is composed of several series, including crosses, collection boxes, and windows, all examined and expanded.

“The idea for the Roadside Memorial pieces came from something I saw when I was driving in rural Arizona . There were quite a few memorial crosses next to the road, but one in particular caught my eye. It was made of welded horseshoes. Lucky Jesus, I thought, I’ve never seen that before: a cross made of good luck symbols. At first it seemed jarring – like hearing a preacher talk about astrology. Then I thought, maybe it’s sort of like Christmas trees, which are pine trees festooned with garlands (originally festooned with animal entrails, we are told). The tradition started in Scandinavia in pagan times. It was later appropriated by Christians.”

“I like the idea of mixing things up and it set me thinking. There are a lot of examples. In the U.S. we talk about the separation of church and state, but our money announces “In God we trust,” and we include God in the Pledge of Allegiance. Surely these gestures were never anticipated by the Founding Fathers. What if we turn that around? What if we add secular elements to conventional religious symbols?”

This notion got Wood to thinking about crosses, as a symbol in particular.

“As so often happens when you are thinking about something, you begin seeing examples everywhere. Along with the predictable ones on churches and hung around people’s necks I was seeing them on t-shirts, tattoos, decals, license plate frames, and every imaginable surface.”

“There are a huge number of variants. And not all of them are nice. You only have to think of KKK cross burnings and the fact that Nazis painted crosses on their weapons to realize that Christian symbolism has a checkered past. And in our time some of the most graphically creative iterations of the cross have been the productions of prison gangs and skinheads. These often involve a mix of Christian and Norse, Celtic, or Nazi symbols. One thing led to another and I found myself producing objects that exist in – literally – crossed reality. Some are inspired by roadside memorials, some are images of religious symbols, others are reliquaries: boxes to hold miraculous objects. The reliquaries are related to Day of the Dead shrines and other Santos . Some of the style and imagery derive from tattoos and folk art. Collectively, I refer to these things as ‘Wonderments’.”

While making the cube-shaped bases for the Wonderments series, Wood noticed that one with a rectangular slot in the top looked a lot like an oversize collection box. This then spawned the “Collection Box” series. Similarly, it occurred to him that the piece of glass behind the door in reliquaries reminded him of bank teller’s and ticket seller’s windows—this then led into the “Windows” series. Thus, all installations were inspired and connected to each other. One must wonder what will come next, and in what ways viewers will find their own inspirations from the show.

“Wonderments” opens on Saturday, January 3rd, in conjunction with the very popular Jerome ARTwalk. The opening party kicks off at 5pm , and will feature music by guitarist Jimmy DuFresne, and refreshments for all guests.

Holiday Membership Show 2008

2008-11-28T21:10:00.000-08:00

November 28, 2008 - December 31, 2008

Just in time to kick off the holiday shopping season, the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery, will feature their annual Holiday Membership Show. With new artwork, seasonal crafts, ornaments, stocking stuffers, prints, holiday cards, functional pottery, gourds, wood and party wear, the cooperative will be stocked full of gift items for those who like to “buy local”. Featuring the artwork and crafts of nearly 40 local artists, the Jerome Artists Cooperative has been a top holiday shopping hot-spot since its inception on 1996.

The holiday membership show will begin Friday Nov. 28th, the day after Thanksgiving, and will be highlighted the following Saturday, December 6th, during the very popular first Saturday “Jerome ARTwalk”. The holiday show will run through December 31st, 2008.

Beings • New Works by Sally Davidson

2008-10-18T19:11:00.000-07:00

October 18, 2008 - November 25, 2008

The Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery will feature recent art works of Sally Davidson from October 18th until November 25th, 2008. The public is invited to a reception at the gallery in Jerome on October 18th from 5 to 8 pm.

Inspiration for Davidson’s exhibit “Beings” comes from her passion for nature and travel; works in the upcoming show will include acrylic paintings of animals and nature/travel photography. Her work has delighted art lovers throughout the world, including collectors in Europe and Australia.

“I am drawn to paint animals because they evoke a sense of awe. What sort of lives do they lead? What secrets can they teach us? There is so much to learn from nature, and yet environmental changes brought about by human activity have caused many beings’ survival to be threatened. It is up to humans to take care of this extraordinary planet we have been trusted to care for.”

African gemsbok, elephant, and giraffe gaze at the observer, pausing briefly before returning to the mystery of their lives. Kangaroos bound along a windswept field of grass…the breeze speeding along their powerful leaps.

Magnificent Polar Bear walks silently into an uncertain future. Quick, fragile hummingbird and moth flutter through the air, delighting us.

Davidson’s photographic images are from travels throughout her life, and many involve water. “It is a sacred substance deserving our utmost awareness and respect.”In Sally’s words, “An infinite number of beings exist- distant galaxies to tiny microbes. Mighty oceans and mountains teem with life. Busy human cities, ant colonies and beehives have a collective being. Ancient olive trees and blue whales at sea – all are archetypal forces. The more we empathize with animals and comprehend the complexity of ecosystems, the more our lives will be filled with wonder.

I hope that future generations will look back on us favorably… Will we leave a damaged legacy, or a healthy diverse planet?”

Davidson has been a lifelong artist and educator and currently teaches art at American Heritage Academy, a charter school in Cottonwood . She states, “Art is essential to education. I have long believed in the power of the Arts to inspire, transform consciousness, and change the world. I love my job because the school is very supportive and involved in the arts.”

Ms. Davidson is also proud to be one of the founding members of the Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery:

“It has been a wonderfully successful venture and for 12 years has provided a venue for many new and established artists in the area.”

Her “Beings” exhibit will be on display until November 25th. Come and enjoy the fun at the opening reception at the Jerome Artist’s Cooperative Gallery on Saturday October 18th, 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Meet the artist, listen to the wonderful music of “Harpy Trails” a Celtic/Cowboy duo, and enjoy refreshments provided by Sally’s fellow artists.

Trials and Trails • New Works by Megan Dean

2008-09-06T19:01:00.000-07:00

September 6, 2008 - October 16, 2008

In September, the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery will feature an exciting new collection of linoleum block print and mixed media by Co-op artist Megan Dean. The show will open for a 6 week run on September 6th, 2008 with food, music and a chance for the public to meet Megan and many of her fellow co-op artists in the old Hotel Jerome on Main St. from 5 to 8 pm. The gallery will also simultaneously celebrate Jerome’s monthly ‘First Saturday’ ART WALK.

For the Arizona native, the term ‘local artist’ is more than just a requirement for membership in the Jerome Artist Cooperative Gallery where her work is on display; the genial block print artist was born, raised and educated in the state and remains firmly anchored to an extended family, friends and co-workers in the art community in northern Arizona. Megan and her husband live in Prescott where she continues to hone her traditional block-print making skills through classes and work in the Print-making department at Yavapai College.

Megan describes herself as a traditional block print artist who draws artistic inspiration from such iconic themes as family, the natural world and ritualism in ancient artworks. Her art as well as her personal life is driven by a strong commitment to personal growth and a desire to practice responsible choice in a world that she sees as less than perfect.

Visitors to the Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery and her fellow member/artists find her work thought-provoking and delightful, though she occasionally finds herself explaining the difference between a “print” and an “original” work in her field of art. Each of her block prints is actually a hand-pulled, hand-printed original created from a variety of forms of art linoleum and often incorporating ‘found’ art such as bits of ceramic or wood. Although some types of art linoleum are thin enough to be run through a printing press, most require individual stamping but she is quick to explain than none is a an exact “reproduction”.

According to Megan, “My show, entitled Trials and Trails is a combination of two main bodies of work in linoleum block print and mixed media that I have been working on over the past two years. The first body of work is a comment on my southwest upbringing, dealing with Manifest Destiny and the Wild West.

On the other side of the spectrum is work dealing with relationships, goals, desires and milestones in life."

The exhibition will run through October 16th, 2008.

Raina Gentry: Retrospective - The Last Ten Years

2008-08-02T18:51:00.000-07:00

August 2, 2008 - September 4, 2008

Mixed media artist and Prescott resident, Raina Gentry, will be the Jerome Artists Cooperative’s featured artist for August. Her show “Retrospective: The Last Ten Years” will open on Saturday August 2nd, in conjunction with the very popular Jerome ARTwalk.“It will be a retrospective of the last 10 years, including my most recent work, which is still in progress. The show will include drawings, mono-prints, oil paintings, mixed media painting, and limited edition giclée prints,” says Gentry.

Her artwork incorporates her studies in printmaking, life drawing, collage, and painting, and is influenced by her education at Prescott College . In addition to her Environmental Philosophy Degree from Prescott College , Gentry also has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Arizona in Tucson . “I view each canvas as a playground for my psyche. Each piece evolving naturally and intuitively without structure or expectation about the final outcome. It is only in hindsight that I discover the meaning of the work, sometimes not until years later,” says Gentry. Through this organic approach to art-making, Raina believes that she taps into, and expresses universal themes that many people can identify with. Through complex layering of various media, with a focus on the human form, she creates meaningful, evocative works that draw her viewers in.

Gentry has been a member of the Co-op for several years, and her gallery inventory features a popular array of paintings, prints, cards, and mixed-media masterpieces. Elements of nature, the human body, rich vintage colors, elements of renaissance design, and the beauty of day to day life. Gentry’s Raintree Studios in Prescott can be contracted to decorate your home with old-world plaster finishes, tromp l’oeil scenes and other vintage style finishes.

“Retrospective: The Last ten Years” will open to the public on Saturday August 2nd, from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. The artist will be present for this festive occasion, with food and music for all guests. The show runs through September 14th.

Natural Beauty • Summer Membership Show

2008-06-14T13:36:00.000-07:00

June 14, 2008 - July 24, 2008

Poster Design by JAC artist Mark Foltz

The member artists of the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery have no problem voicing their opinions about the unique gallery which is home to their art: “It’s breathtaking!” “eclectic," “riotous” and “charming,’ “awesome,” “it totally rocks!” “It’s cooperative!,” “it’s HOT!,” “ON the wall- OFF the wall”…

A walk through the several rooms of the gallery located in the old Hotel Jerome is enough to convince the many visitors that they have discovered a gem of a place- from the friendly local artists/sales people who greet them, to the art itself to the ‘weather report’ window which elicits “oo’s” and “ahs” of delight at the 180 degree view of the beautiful historic valleys and mountains beyond.

In such a setting, the Jerome Artist Cooperative Gallery will open its annual Summer Membership Show, aptly called Natural Beauty on Saturday, June 14th from 5 pm to 8 pm. The public is invited to join the artists for food, drink, live music and the chance to see how the 33 local painters and crafts-people incorporate the beauty of the natural wonders that surround them into their own uniquely personal artistic journey.

The Natural Beauty show will be on exhibit for 6 weeks, and will be continuing during the very popular Jerome ARTwalk event, which takes place the first Saturday of each month. The July ARTwalk will take place on July 5th. The Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery is located at 502 Main Street , Jerome Arizona. Gallery hours are 10am-6pm, 7 days a week.

The Fields in Which I Labor • New Works by Patrick Lincoln

2008-05-03T13:06:00.000-07:00

May 3, 2008 - June 12, 2008

Jerome Madonna • Digital self portrait

Digital artist and long time Jerome resident Patrick Lincoln explains what it means to be a digital artist, “Yes, it’s true! I use only my digits to make my art! No one else’s digits are allowed.” One never knows whether to take this clever quipster seriously. Lincoln continues, “Okay, maybe I use my eyes a little, and maybe my mind, and it’s true—some heart and soul slips in there, and of course there are the blood, sweat and tears. But other than that it’s all digital.”He begins by taking a 35mm or digital photograph, often times utilizing images of Jerome, big sky western scenes, or willing and warm-blooded models. “I then input the image into my computer where I get to play ‘Look Ma! I’m a neo-impressionist, post Dada-ist, surrealist exhibitionist!’”, he jokes.

Lincoln is a well known local and tourist attraction, gregarious and engaging with visitors to town, and easy to spot from a long way’s off due to flowing and wild mane. He’s been a member of the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery for the past 10 years, and past featured artist shows have always been wonderful and eccentric. Last show featured a special guest-- a giant doll named “Dolly”. She and Patrick wore matching dresses and ribbons in their hair, and both shared a cigar.

Lincoln is an interesting character and has led an interesting life –his story includes past incarnations as a registered nurse, and bronco buster, not to mention a great background in spoken word and poetry slams. His artwork captures a quality of light and color not often evident with the naked eye, taking scenes and ideas we may be familiar with and enhancing them in incredible ways. His work is available in many sizes, ranging from grand scale to small, with prints and cards. “I am a gypsy grasshopper growing old, living from hand to mouth and month to month,” says Lincoln, “I am 58 years old with no wife, no pets, no MBA, no 401K, no health plan, no life insurance, no dental….but….I got a head full of hair, an eye full of art, a pocket full of poetry and damn few regrets!”

The Art of Discovery • The Paintings & Drawings of Cody DeLong

2008-03-29T12:56:00.000-07:00

March 29, 2008 - May 1, 2008

Have you ever wondered how an artist really works? Here's your chance to see how Cody DeLong creates his luminous and award-winning landscapes. Conceptual thumbnail sketches will be on display, alongside the studio paintings which sprang from them. Select figure drawing studies will be featured, as well as some plein air paintings.

Opening reception of Cody's show, The Art of Discovery, will take place at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery on Saturday, March 29, from 6 - 9 p.m. The show runs through May 1.

"I wanted this show to be a journey through the creative process. When students or collectors visit my studio, they seem fascinated with my preparatory sketches. They often hold them up next to the paintings, gaining insight into the underlying design of my work. I've always viewed drawing as an essential skill for any self-respecting representational painter, so it seems very natural to include them in the show."

A life-long student of painting, Cody challenges himself to use all the tools of expression afforded by his oil paints -- color, values, drawing, design, surface texture, brushwork and edges. That dedication is evident in his work which compels you over for a closer look. His surface treatments illustrate what artists mean when they talk about 'paint quality'.

"Realism is the way I've chosen to express my creativity. It isn't duplication, but the result of keen observation, feeling, imagination and solid painting skills. I'm attempting to weld together all this and more in my work. The paintings I enjoy the most are the ones where you can see the artist began with a strong idea and willfully executed it with sensitivity."

"Today's collectors are more discerning than ever. They know when a painting is askew, and they are less likely to buy the old 'That's just my style' alibi. I think the creative process begins deep within the artist, sometimes from mysterious origins, and there is a struggle to bring it to the surface. It's ok to make mistakes along the way, but it's not ok to accept them as 'good enough' without continually striving for more."

An award-winning artist, Cody paints with both sides of the brain -- passionate inspiration is coupled with thoughtful application. This may be the reason his reputation continues to grow. This show examines the creative process with all its struggles, surprises, and successes.

Visit Cody's webiste for more details. www.codydelong.com

For Paintings, Prints, Classes and Events, go to.... www.codydelong.com

The Imaginary West • Dave Wilder

2008-02-16T12:35:00.000-08:00

February 16, 2007 - March 27, 2007

Dave Wilder brings his unique blend of humor, surrealism and Old West imagery to an all-new show at the Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery. This solo exhibition of new and recent watercolor paintings features many never before exhibited works. The shows theme is ‘The Imaginary West’, a place the artist describes as “the borderland between historic reality, and the myths of the American West”. The public is invited to join Dave Wilder for a gala opening celebration at the Gallery on Saturday, February 16th from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Light refreshments will be served and Western singer-songwriter Dan Rice will provide the music. The exhibition will continue through March 27th, 2008.

Montana Lisa • watercolor, 20x14"

Indian Country • watercolor, 28x20"

Rustler's Moon • watercolor, 28x18"

Buffalo Feathers • watercolor, 20x14"

"I'm very excited about this show,” says Wilder, “I feel that this is the best work I've ever done; it's the culmination of years of effort”. In the past those efforts have produced some memorable images. In Wilder’s West, cowboy hats float through the sky like an armada of alien spaceships, cows wear cowboy boots, Indians blow bubbles, and purple teepees sprout pink flamingos out front. Speaking from his Camp Verde studio, Dave Wilder explains the thought process behind his often-humorous Western images: “I call it ‘The Imaginary West’; it's that place in our collective unconscious, where history, fiction and fancy all swirl around like a dust devil at a church picnic. Because of Hollywood and other storytellers, what we think of today as the ‘Old West’ has much more in common with mythology than it does with history. John Wayne is more real to most people than Wild Bill Hickock. But that's great if you're an artist. Reality is complicated. Myth is tidy. Our Western mythology is a great place to play around in. All of those iconic images have a sort of built-in power that communicates loud and clear because the stories are so well known. The fun comes when you juxtapose whimsy, fantasy and surrealism with traditional Western imagery to spin those icons into new and uncharted territory”.

Buffalo Gals • watercolor, 20x28"

Dave Wilder grew up and went to school in California, but has made his home in Arizona since 1991. A self taught and lifelong artist, Wilder first picked up a paintbrush at the age of five. Today, he creates sharply focused watercolors that sparkle with light, color and wit. In recent years his paintings and limited edition prints have proven popular with collectors throughout the country and over-seas. Diverse life experiences have helped Wilder develop a sense of humor and a keen eye for detail. Over the years he has worked as a bartender, a cowboy, a clerk, a back country guide, an entertainer, and a graphic artist and illustrator. Currently, Dave Wilder lives and paints in Camp Verde, AZ, surrounded by horses, goats, chickens, cats, dogs, kids and beautiful rolling ranch country. He's a member of the Sedona Arts Center, and has been involved with the Jerome Artists’ Cooperative since 1996.

The artist will be on-hand at the opening on Saturday, February 16th to greet guests and sign posters and prints. Hope to see you there!

See more of Dave Wilder's work at his website: www.wilderarts.com

New Work and Other Selected Pieces by Jim Rome

2008-01-05T12:26:00.000-08:00

January 5, 2008 - February 14, 2008

One of the Jerome Artist Cooperative Gallery’s founding members, the well-respected and much admired Jim Rome, will be the first featured artist of the New Year. Rome , who first arrived in Jerome in 1968 and became a permanent resident in 1970, works in a variety of classical styles, including painting, sculpture and lithography. His skill is overwhelming to behold, no matter his media, and grabs hold of the viewer with his brilliance.

Born in Minnesota , Rome moved to Montana with his family as a boy, his father being a “ Montana cowboy who worked the mines in Butte ”. Later on his dad took up a lumberjack gig and moved the family to the Washington-Oregon coast, settling inland in Tillamook, and later Portland . Rome started his professional art career “supposedly in 1963, in L.A. ” where he worked for Aaron Brothers who relocated him to Phoenix in ’65. Soon afterwards he quit his day job and began painting full-time. His subject matter at the time was desert scenery and he ventured around the Valley of the Sun, gradually extending his forays farther north. “I did a lot of rustic stuff and Jerome fit right in”. Within a few years he moved his family up to an old house in the “ Ghost City ”. He’s been a resident of Jerome ever since. Rome was one of the cooperative’s founding members when it opened in 1996, but due to his extensive and respected art career he also has works in galleries and collections worldwide.

His current show will feature new art and also “select” works, favorites to be revisited. The opening will take place on Saturday January 5^th from 5:30-8:30pm, coinciding with Jerome’s ARTwalk, and will feature live music, refreshments, plus a chance to chat with the legend himself, Jim Rome. The show will run through Valentine’s Day, February 14^th.

Kicking Glass • Paul Blasi, Christy Fisher & Fred Rienhardt

2007-02-17T12:18:00.000-08:00

February 17, 2007 - March 29, 2007

The JAC glass artists teamed up for an all Glass media show in February and March. Everyone had a great time at the opening and nothing but hearts were broken.

Photos from the opening:

Art in My Own Backyard • Sally Stryker & Judy Yescalis

2007-01-06T12:06:00.000-08:00

January 6, 2007- February 15, 2007

Batik artist Judy Yescalis teamed up with found art assemblage and collage artist Sally Stryker to present Art in My Own Backyard, a collection of new works. Both artists are longtime co-op members whose works are well known and well regarded in Norther Arizona.

Judy Yescalis, a semi-retired language teacher, works from her own photos and sketches to create her one-of-a-kind batiks, many of which capture the local wildlife attracted to a pond near her home. She will sometimes create commissioned pieces from clients’ photographs as well.

Sally Stryker creates what might be called found art, Southwest folk art, or assemblage. She calls it "transformed art." The materials used in her works once served a particular utilitarian purpose and fulfilled specific human needs; now these discards are transformed by the artist into messages, symbols, themes, and humorous statements about the human condition.

Photos from the opening:

2006 Holiday Show

2006-11-22T11:13:00.000-08:00

November 22, 2006 - January 3, 2007

Each Holiday Season the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery puts on a special show featuring diverse works from all member artists. Over the years this show has become a Holiday shopping tradition for Jerome and the Verde Valley. As one patron recently put it, "I love Christmas shopping here... Its the anti-mall!"

We couldn't agree more.

Photos from the opening:

Trick or Treat • Ellen J.D. Roberts & R.V. Lovelace

2006-10-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

October 14, 2006 - November 21, 2006

“From a ‘dramatic mental laboratory’, images are converted with odd humor and illusionism”, said Jerome artist Rick Lovelace in an attempt to describe his “Retro-Vision” pop surrealist style of painting. Lovelace’s newest works of pop-surrealism debut in the “Trick Or Treat” featured artists show with fellow painter Ellen J.D.Roberts. The two last partnered up for the very well received and well attended “Little Monsters” show in 2003, and “Trick or Treat” promises to bring more of the same fun.

Lovelace and Roberts are former neighbors who still maintain a strong friendship, frequently meeting up to enjoy martinis, rancid grade B horror films from the 50s and 60s, and compare their collective collection of kitschy artifacts. With influences ranging wild and wide-- dreams, “bad sign painting”, petroglyphs and road trips-- the two are connected by common vocabulary and subject matter though their styles are vastly different. Lovelace's style is clean and controlled, airbrush and mixed media, while Roberts makes a mess of the canvas with oil paint and pastels, carving into the painting with layers of texture. For the show promotional poster the two daringly mixed together their very different styles into one painting, a perfect blend of minimalism and maximalism.

"Phantom storytelling is always the key to unlock interpretation," declares Lovelace, perhaps getting right to the heart of "Trick or Treat's" theme. Phantom stories and ghostly memories-just in time for Halloween!

Photos from the opening:

What Goes Around • The Wearable Art of Christy Fisher

2006-09-02T10:36:00.000-07:00

September 2, 2006 - October 11, 2006

Everbody's heard the saying, "what goes around, comes around." It's a catchy way of reminding us to watch what we do, lest it come back to us. Cosmic inflections aside, such a saying may also speak of more concrete nuances, reminding our consumer-based culture that nothing is every really gone. That all of our waste will someday come back to haunt us.

Daunting, yes, but such intimidating ideals may also be inspiration, as is the case for designer Christy Fisher. The Jerome-based artist began her career in the fashion industry as a model at the age of 15. During her ascent to the top of her field, designing clothes for rock stars (Hendrix!) and closing mega deals (Disney!), Ms. Fisher began to see the "ugly side of the industry."

"The fashion industry is based on waste," she explains. "Fashion that's in now will be out in six weeks." And unfortunately, when a trend goes out, it gets taken to the curb. Literally. In a culture of supply and demand, the waste will continue to collect.

But what's to be done? Must the grind of the capitalist machine running our culture come to a screeching halt? Or can we unearth new ways to alleviate the build up of excess waste that comes from oir ever-changing industries? Can we learn to be conscientious capitalists? Kind hearted consumers?

According to Christy Fisher, we can. Her motto is "reclaim and reuse." To take waste and make it consumable again. Rather than buying fabric off of the bolt like most, she intercepts textile on its way to the landfill. Materials for her jewelry are equally raw: glass bottles, dishes and tin cans from the local dump.

Her wearable work then brings together these vintage elements with modern twists. Fabric from old dresses and silk shirts are digitally printed with contemporary designs. Recycled tin cans are turned into jewelry in her new line of "Trashion." Her retro-techno focus is the basis for her new exhibit, "What Goes Around."

The show opening coincides with the first night of Jerome's Art Walk, September 2nd. The public is invited to the opening gala from 5 - 8 pm, for refreshments and live jazz provided by the Milt Cannon Trio. Busy that night? That's ok - the exhibit will run through October 11th so you'll have plenty of time to get your trash on.

- Ashley Carter

Photos from the opening:

Into the Woods • Wanda Wood & Blake O'Neil

2006-07-22T10:28:00.000-07:00

July 22, 2006 - August 30, 2006

Wood turner Blake O'Neil and pastel artist Wanda Wood joined forces this summer to bring their show "Into the Woods" to the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery.

Photos from the opening:

10th Anniversary Show!

2006-06-24T10:08:00.000-07:00

June 24, 2006 - July 19, 2006

This summer the Jerome Artists Cooperative celebrated their 10^th anniversary with a major party on the evening of Saturday, June 24^th. Food! Beverage! Live music! Prizes! New artwork! It was indeed the place to see and be seen, as “the Co-op” has been an important outlet for town social behavior and cultural spirit for the past 10 years. Hosting regular “featured artist shows” galas, including a sharing of their show space with Jerome Kids Art Workshop each summer for many years, the gallery is an integral part of the tightly woven art community. “It thrills me we’re successful,” said longtime Jerome resident and classical realist Anne Bassett, “It thrills me the level of competence among all of these flaky artists.”

Currently featuring about 36 exhibiting artists and always accepting applications for more, there is a wide range of different media and subject matter on display. Artists come from as far away as Prescott and Sedona, but the majority reside in Jerome, and the outlying Verde Valley.

Photos from the opening:

In Her Image: Honoring the Vision & Courage of Women • Judy Jaaskelainen & Michele Cokl Naylor

2006-05-13T09:55:00.000-07:00

May 13, 2006 - June 21, 2006

Watercolorist, Judy Jaaskelainen, and doll-maker/collage artist extraordinaire, Michele Cokl Naylor, presented all new works in their exhibit, "In Her Image, Honoring the Vision and Courage of Women". The Opening Reception was held during a full moon on Mother's Day Eve. The public was invited to come enjoy the artwork, celebrate Mother's Day and the contributions of women.

Images of women in Jaaskelainen's art are not a new facet. Some of her most notable pieces have been of or about women, (tempered, at times, with a bit of humor). Her passion and respect for Mother Earth, World Peace, and Human Rights has only grown stronger as she moves into each new decade of her life. She is astounded by the achievements of women, in particular, and their determination to make real their visions for a better world, usually against great odds.

Women's history is rich with examples of the courage and creativity women have employed to gain the right to vote, to aquire property, the right to have reign over their own bodies, and as in the case of 2005 Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Wangari Maathai, the wisdom and love to create sustainable development that enhances democracy and peace efforts for Kenya and all of Africa, with her Greenbelt Movement.

Says Jaaskelainen, "My personal history of women whose lives continue to illuminate mine include my mother who had to quit school at the age of 14 to go to work and help provide food and shelter for herself and her seven siblings, my daughters and friends who have excelled in the role of single parenthood without financial nor any other support from their children's fathers, and my sister, cousins and nieces whose dedication to the children in our family helps to keep the spirit of my mother alive.

I have the privilege of having 2 young women in my life who believe so much in their own passion for Women's Rights and for the Environment that they have dedicated years of their lives to study and learn 'more than enough' to make a difference in the world as we know it. And they do.

I have women friends who have survived unspeakable tragedies and who have gone on to counsel others in an effort to bring forth light and understanding.

I trust the women in my life to listen with their hearts and souls. I know that our bonds are universal and indestructable.

My work in this show is dedicated to Michelle M. Weil, PhD., without whom there would be no show."

Photos from the opening:

Mary Jardine & Judith Skinner

2006-04-01T09:44:00.000-08:00

April 1, 2006 - May 10, 2006

Photos from the opening:

Recent Works by Raina Gentry & Wayne St. John

2006-02-18T09:32:00.000-08:00

February 18th 2006 - March 29th 2006

The Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery presents Recent Works by Raina Gentry & Wayne St. John.

Raina Gentry, a popular artist and relative newcomer to the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery, had no fear of ascending great heights as a rock-climbing instructor and guide with a bachelors degree in Environmental Studies at Prescott College, but when it came to surmounting the rocky barrier of insecurity that stood between he and the artist she new was inside, it was a different story.

A self-proclaimed "dabbler" in the world of art for many years, she confesses, "I just wasn't able to access my true vision or talent, and fear kept me from really going for it"

The defining point in her art career came abruptly as she skimmed a friend's art book one day; within a week, her life turned! She enrolled at the University of Arizona as an art student.

"From that moment on I was living a different life...one I could not even of imagined."

Raina currently lives in Prescott with her partner, focusing on her artwork, which is sold locally, and operating her unique business, Walls of Pompeii; where she specializes in decorative finishes and murals.

The major part of her work is intricately layered in mixed media - life drawing, painting, collage and printmaking, although she also creates large oils on canvas. Themes - often reflected in the human form - are grounded in the deeper recesses of her consciousness where she confronts the many issues that concern her as a woman, a liberal and a spiritual being. Each complex finished piece exhibits the depths of both her art education and her inner spirituality, and depicts, in her words, "the beautiful as well as the repulsive aspects of the world we live in."

Potter Wayne St. John's life as an artist took him from flying above the clouds as a 21-year Air Force F-4 pilot, to playing in the mud. As an alternative to a "rocking chair" retirement, Wayne began studying the art of pot making at Portland College in Oregon, continued his studies at the Tuscon Museum of Art and eventually at Yavapai College in Northern Arizona. In 1994-95, Wayne put his new skills to work as the resident potter at the Potted Owl Gallery in Tubac, Arizona.

Wayne continues to expand his knowledge and skills as a clay artist through workshops where he has been inspired by such nationally known potters as Yokio Yamamoto, Don Reitz, Steve Hill, Jeff Perkins and Tashiko Takaezu, among others. In addition to the beautiful bowls, plates, mugs, vases and other functional works, he has recently added 2D wall art to his collection of wares exhibited at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery.

"My pottery forms are simple yet functional, and my glazes often reflect the blue and red rock tones of the Jerome/Sedona area. I let the glaze decorate my work; runs and drips are intentional, assuring each piece is completely unique."

The handmade and wheel-thrown pottery pieces are fired twice, turning the finished piece to stoneware. The 20-step process from mud to finished pot results in lead-free, microwave safe functional art which - like the continuing journey of the artist that creates them - will last a lifetime.

A Boy and his Doll • Strange New Works by Patrick Lincoln

2006-01-07T09:13:00.000-08:00

January 7th 2006- February 15th 2006

Digital media artist, poet and man about town, Patrick Lincoln, did not disappoint at the opening for his latest show, "A Boy and His Doll".

The often strange, but always unusual Lincoln, arrived for the opening gala in a lovely saffron gown, complete with lace, stogie and his little dolly dressed to match.

In spite of this, the opening was well attended and the general reaction to Lincoln's new digital media pieces was strongly positive.

Entertainment for the evening was provided by Jerome's own Kim Talbot who played guitar, and by Patrick Lincoln himself who regaled the crowd with a selection of poetry, some written by himself, and some by others. He liked his own poems the best.

All in all, the evening went off without a hitch, and all breathed a deep sigh of relief when Lincoln changed out of the dress and back into his normal starving-artist/burnt-out-hippie attire.