The old Hotel Jerome is King of
the hill- Cleopatra Hill, that is. The venerated, iconic showplace built in
1917 (with indoor bathrooms!) still sits firmly planted on its solid foundation
– the first building in the USA to be constructed of poured concrete. The views
from its top floors include the nearby foothills where the exact geographic
center of the state of Arizona is located.
On the ground floor of the Hotel
Jerome, visitors will find the juried displays of 35 local member/artists of
the Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery who are responsible for all aspects of
the gallery business. The artists will be celebrating their own longevity as a
co-op (21 years) as well as “Celebrating Hotel Jerome: 100 Years.” The show opens
on July 1st in conjunction with Jerome’s First Saturday Art Walk
from 5-8 pm. The show runs thru July 26.
The dream of creating a
cooperative art gallery in Jerome took flight in February of 1996 when a space
in the Hotel Jerome- which is owned by the town of Jerome- became available.
Four months later, with the able help of a local accountant named Norrie
Benjamin, a group of 20 dedicated people, of which only 12 of them were actual displaying
artists, agreed to become partners in the new endeavor of starting a Co-op, by each
putting $100 into the till to get it started.
Documents were signed, and in
the words of one of the local founding members, Anne Bassett, “with a great
deal of courage… a lot of curiosity and community support,” an official working
cooperative gallery was born. Three founding members who are still in the
gallery are Rex Peters (manager), Jim Rome and Brice Wood.
Please join the Jerome Artists’
Cooperative Gallery in “Celebrating Hotel Jerome:100 Years,” on Saturday, July
1st from 5-8 pm in the Hotel Jerome, 502 Main Street, Jerome,
Arizona. Refreshments will be served.
Save
the date: a “RAISE the ROOF” event will be hosted by the Jerome Artists’
Cooperative Gallery on Saturday, July 29th from 5-8 pm to raise
funds to replace the Hotel’s roof. The main event will be a Silent Auction of
artwork donated by local artists. In addition, items donated by local
businesses will be raffled off throughout the evening. Come early to place bids
on your favorite items. Come for a fun evening with friends and community
members, and leave knowing that your support is helping to preserve a Jerome
landmark. Entertainment will be provided by the Jerome Ukulele Orchestra and
refreshments will be served.
Saturday, July 29 from 5-8 pm. See you there!
Jerome Artists’ Cooperative
Gallery.
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