On the Walk

New Works by Sarah Harms at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery

A tiny glimpse of my morning walks along the Verde River

For the past 15 years, I’ve been walking dogs almost every morning along the stretch of Verde River that flows near our house in Camp Verde. What began as a way to tame puppy energy has become my main source of inspiration, immense joy, spirituality and utter magic. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to begin each day surrounded by such beauty, and the gifts I have received from the riverside forest in the desert.

  

As a way to give back, I am basing my upcoming show at The Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery on a very few of things I see on my walk, and will donate 10% of my proceeds from the show to Friends of The Verde River, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of our beloved Verde River, and the flora and fauna that inhabit its banks.

 

There is soooo much visual inspiration for me, but I’m currently focusing my works to be included in the show on rocks, trees, and the river’s edge. I document much of what I see in photographs, then translate what I see into simple graphic images that lend themselves to the materials I work with. Mostly clay and metal these days, but also felted wool. As a production artist, one of my challenges is creating designs that can be made multiple times, while keeping the works affordable. My designs morph and evolve in my head when I’m working on a batch of pieces, then must come out in the actual materials. For example: I have been making Aspen tree themed mugs for a couple years, and have now added Sycamores, Ponderosa Pines, and more fantastical trees into the mix.

 

A couple weeks ago, a blacksmith friend showed me how to make mokume gane, an ancient Japanese technique meaning ‘wood grain’. Many layers of metal are stacked together and fused using heat and pressure. The billet is then forged down, drilled and carved into, revealing the layers in different patterns, then forged down to the desired thickness. It’s a very strenuous and time-consuming process, but the results are stunning and certainly lend themselves to trees and rocks. I’m working on a jewelry line that incorporates the mokume, as well as exploring the technique in clay at the moment. Gratitude and creative mania!! I look forward to sharing a glimpse of my magical mornings with you.

The show opens June 7 and runs through July 29 at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery, located at 502 Main St, Jerome. Art walk receptions will be held on June 7 and July 5 from 4-7:30 pm. All are welcome.

www.jeromecoop.com 928-639-4276

JEROME CO-OP presents, “Mark and Lana Get Silly-cosis”

Artist couple Mark Lucas and Lana Rochelle are debuting their second joint show at the Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery, titled Mark and Lana Get Silly-cosis.

Every two months, the JAC hosts a rotation of its members in its Featured Artist Room where the artist--or artists--design and curate their own show. Next month, artists-in-love Mark Galen Lucas (glass) and Lana Rochelle (ceramics) will be presenting collaborative pieces as well as new work.

With a name like Mark and Lana Get Silly-cosis, can we expect some silliness in the gallery space?

“No, not really,” says Lucas.

Rochelle elaborates:

“There might be some silliness sprinkled in, but it’s going to look like functional glass and ceramic wares.”

So why the name? Rochelle chimes in first:

“Our last show was called Mark and Lana Are Kilning It!—I guess we’re kind of fixated on the puns that unite our crafts.”

“Silly-cosis, you know, it’s a dark humor,” concedes Lucas, “At first it just made us laugh. Now we’re considering silliness more deeply—as a political act of resistance. Like it takes a sense of humor just to carry on.”

Lana continues: “The work we’re showcasing is really celebratory—lots of really inviting drinking glasses. Mark is working on some stunning glass jewelry. We both have been working on block-carving and printing. I think there’s going to be an exuberance that comes through. I hope so.”

Mark Lucas has been a glass artist in Jerome for 19 years. Mark creates pieces that range from small vessels whose impossible thinness make them float in the hand, to full-sized figures sculpted in his signature networked-glass style. Mark and Lana Get Silly-cosis will feature several new pieces in his Aloft sculpture series, which combines the thin blown forms with networked glass tubes.

“They came about as a natural evolution of the work I was doing with the networked glass, making it more tangled,” Mark explains, “They remind me of root systems. And, like, potatoes,” he laughs. Is this the first glimpse of silly-cosis?

Lana Rochelle is a longtime Verde Valley resident who first took ceramic classes at the Sedona Art Center. Her ceramic work is concerned with functional wheel-thrown wares. The decoration on her pieces is composed of finely piped illustrations and labyrinthine patterns. Lana describes the order she’s applied to her work:

“I’ve resisted doing anything to warp or even texturize the form of my wheel-thrown work, but that’s changed after I started doing more pinch pots. I’ve become more open to organic forms.

“The work I have coming up speaks with Mark’s [work] more than before. I’m making iterations of intentionally tweaked little vessels, but the centrifugal force of the wheel informs what that ‘tweak’ looks like. The same forces are acting on Mark’s blown glass, and he ends up with similar forms. I think they’ll make an interesting collection in our show.”

We can look forward to more of Mark and Lana's collaborations at their future venture: Firebrick Studio will be located in the lower level of 300 Hull Avenue—just up the street from the JAC. When will it open?

“Hopefully, by May,” says Lana, “we might have some sidewalk sales before then, on the patio.” Mark chimes in:

“Two years ago we had our first art show together at the Co-op and we were excited to see what we could make together. Now we’re so excited to see what we can build together.”

Lana concludes: “We have a lot to do. But first we have to get silly-cosis.”

The JAC will have an opening reception for the artists on Saturday, April 5, in conjunction with Jerome’s First Saturday Art Walk. Beer, wine, and snacks will be available by donation. All ages welcome. Mark and Lana Get Silly-cosis will run until June 4.

Connect with the Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery on Facebook or follow us on Instagram, @JeromeArtistsGallery. Follow Mark and Lana for updates on their studio space @Firebrick_Studio.

The JAC is currently accepting applications from artists in all mediums. Find an application in person at 502 Main Street in Jerome or online at www.jeromecoop.com/membership.

 

“Flowing Through Alternate Realities”

Exploring Dimensions: “Flowing Through Alternate Realities” at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery, Feb 1– April 2. Art has the capacity to bridge the gaps between perception and experience, and “Flowing Through Alternate Realities” is curated to offer a transformational viewing experience. This Exhibit highlights the works of Flo Flynn and Lynnsey Reynolds. Each artist approaches their craft with their own unique philosophies and inspirations, inviting visitors to explore different dimensions of reality through their creations. 

Flo Flynn, an artist whose enthusiasm for life is palpable in her work, describes her artistic process as a journey through a marvelous world. “This world, this space in time is a marvelous thing to be a participant in,” Flo states, emphasizing her relentless pursuit of inspiration from everyday life. Flo’s art is shaped by her dreams and the continuous observations made during her daily routine.

Lynnsey Renolds, on the other hand, brings a profound sense of place and identity to her work. Her artistic journey has been a lifelong odyssey, inspired by the beauty of the Verde Valley and the tapestry of her family history. “I cannot remember a time when art has not been a part of my life,” Lynnsey reflects, revealing a deep-rooted connection to her surroundings. Lynnsey’s art serves as an invitation to vi

ewers to broaden their perspectives. She encourages them to “open your eyes,” to see not merely the canvas, but the meaning behind her images.

Whether you are an avid art enthusiast or a casual observer, this show promises to deliver a moving experience that resonates long after leaving the gallery. Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in this fascinating exhibition at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery with a reception for the artists on Feb 1 from 4-7:30 pm during Jerome’s First Saturday Art (& wine) Walk. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Located, ground level, at 502 N Main Street in Jerome. 928-639-4276 Open Daily 10 am- 6 pm.

www.jeromecoop.com Applications now open for membership in all media.