" Then and Now"

“Then and Now”

The Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery presents their 22nd annual Summer Membership show entitled, “Then and Now: a celebration of how artists’ work changes over time” from July 7-July 31 at the Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery, located on the ground floor of the historic Hotel Jerome.

It is said that the only constant is change. In “Then and Now,” gallery members consider how they and their work has changed over time. On a special wall, “Family Portraits” are displayed as a series of group photos taken over the years of the gallery’s membership. Within the featured artist room, members’ work is hung in pairs with a sampling of works that were done some time ago alongside works that are more recent. Comments from the artists about how or why their work has changed sheds light on their ongoing creative process.

Chris Ryback, known for her molded concrete garden leaves and wall pieces has taken her concrete art to the next level by creating an assemblage of her concrete leaves until a face emerges.

Ceramicist V. Norton points out how her interest in working both large and small has evolved over the years. An earlier work, “White Crackle,” measures 14” tall as compared to her current series of miniature “Spirit” masks, which are about 7” in height. In addition to the size variations, V. Norton chose, “White Crackle” to represent her “Then” piece because it was the means she used to explore a new glaze technique some years ago. “I used a low fire glaze at the time,” Norton recall, “and as I read the directions, I asked myself, ‘I wonder what would happen if I fired this differently?’ And so, I did,” she notes.  The result became a technique she began using from then on.” Another example of how V. Norton’s work has evolved over the years is her use of horse hair in her work. Previously, V. Norton used horse hair to create a visual/textural element on her pottery. Now, her use of horse hair has expanded to become a decorative element within her miniature spirit masks series. V. Norton likes this approach as it brings out the whimsical qualities of her spirit masks.

Joy Herhold, the Co-op’s newest member, realized that over the 49 plus years she has been creating art, the thread of continuity in her work is design and meaning. “When I was 16 years old, I carved a 6” x 60” wood relief panel, which I call, ‘No One Goes to Heaven Alone.’ My carving represents a hope of all people helping each other.” Her desire to help humanity by seeing the best in everything has been her life-long approach to everyday living.  Compositionally, Joy noticed that most of her artwork has been composed using a diagonal format. Her most recent work, “Hotel Jerome,” is no exception. The view of the hair-pin turn in Jerome’s Main Street is depicted in this new work as a loose, fun landscape done on paper using a sewing machine’s satin stitches as she would use a paint brush. The view from inside the gallery looking out was inspiration for yet another effective use of her “dynamic diagonal” composition. She mentions that this is how she perceives the Jerome Co-op: as a fun place to visit, meet artists, and be inspired by all kinds of artwork.  

Visitors will be inspired, too, as they peruse the diverse collection of works displayed in the members’ summer show, “Then and Now.” There will be a reception for the artists on Jerome’s First Saturday Art Walk on July 7 from 5-8 pm at the Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery. Refreshments will be served. The show runs thru July 31.

Open Daily, 10-6.