“Mark and Lana are Kilning It!” 

The Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery is pleased to announce its latest show, “Mark and Lana are Kilning It!” Every two months, the gallery hosts a rotation of its members in its Featured Artist Room where the artist--or artists--design and curate their own show. Next month, the JAC will exhibit a show unlike any other: artists and sweethearts Mark Galen Lucas (glass) and Lana Rochelle (ceramics) will be presenting collaborative pieces as well as new work.

Lucas will be unveiling a full-sized glass figure, “years in the making”. How many years? “I don’t even remember when I started it,” he laughs. Lana Rochelle will be showcasing totemic ceramic miniatures as well as everyday functional pottery. Both artists also have an illustrative hand and will be showing work outside their usual mediums of glass and clay. Lucas will be debuting a collection of pointillistic ink illustrations; Rochelle will be showcasing graphic batik indigo-dyed silks as well as cartoons on ceramics.

“Most of my illustrations reference the conflict between man and nature,” Mark describes. “My sculptures are more about my personal emotions, and my drawings are more about my views.” As for the as-yet-untitled full-size figure: “It’s about my anxiety, how it holds me back…it always seems like there’s a block between me and the world.”

Mark’s counterpart similarly invokes physical and emotional spaces:

“I like drawing women at ease in their own space. My illustrations on ceramics have been lighthearted; women with their lovely incorrigible cats. The batik work shows more of my internal and external worlds: the blooming yucca I see and the sadness I feel,” says Rochelle. She adds: “Even the sad work is pretty funny to me, with big melodramatic tears.”

The show will also debut the artists’ collaborative pieces where glass and ceramic are entwined in new and innovative forms.

“I’m very excited about these pieces,” says Lana, “I’ve never seen anything like them before. We didn’t even know if the glass and ceramic would work together in the kiln. But in the end we have pieces that feel very sci-fi with glass emerging like structural growths around very organic ceramic forms. ”

The JAC will have an opening reception for the artists on Saturday, August 5, in conjunction with Jerome’s First Saturday Art & Wine Walk. The gallery will be hosting local synthpop band Matteo Amaretto whose second album “Crimson Wave” came out last May. Matti Amato (lead vocals, drums, and keyboard) describes the genre-fluid band as “post-rock emo dreampop electronics.” The band will play from 4 to 8pm.

“It’s going to be loud, it’s going to be more of a party atmosphere. I hope it’s going to be very cathartic for everyone there,” laughs Lana.

“Mostly I’m excited about doing the show with Lana, seeing what we can create together,” Mark adds.

Mark and Lana are kilning it, indeed.

There is no cover charge for the August 5 reception. Beer, wine, and snacks will be available by donation. All ages welcome. “Mark and Lana are Kilning It!” will run until October 3.

The Jerome Artists’ Cooperative Gallery at 502 N Main St, ground level, is open daily from 10 am – 6 pm. Currently accepting applications for membership in all media.

info@jeromecoop.com www.jeromecoop.com 928-639-4276

 

“The Aesthetic Lure of Art” at the Jerome Co-op

The Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery is pleased to present the artworks of five new members dedicated to pursuing their artistic side after retirement. “The Aesthetic Lure of Art” showcases fine art and craft at its best and explores how these artists stepped into their passions after retirement.

 

Keith Knisley relates, “I have spent most of my career exploring underlying mechanisms in biology. My fascination for woodturning is in part driven by the ability to turn a b§land piece of wood into a functional object and expose the beauty that lies beneath the surface. The exposed pattern of growth rings and stress patterns represent how the living tree coped with life’s challenges to survive.”

Howard Hardegree started his metal working career by learning to fabricate metal pins to give as favors for krewe members, costumes and royalty while living in New Orleans for two decades. “Working on copper and brass from my kitchen table I learned the basics of etching, sawing, joining, and design from books and YouTube videos,” Howard points out. “Wanting to go further, I sought professional help and studied metalsmithing and design with Steven Donnelly in New Orleans, and with Carolyn Ensley in Cottonwood after we moved. The influence of my background and current western environment are sometimes apparent in the pieces in my collection: light and dark, mysterious and fun.”

Maryhelen Ewing says she was “hooked on art as a small child the minute I could hold a crayon! Making art was my favorite thing to do, and as a teen, I craved private art classes. But music lessons were my mom’s priority for me, so off I went to the Juilliard School of Music in New York City to develop a way to earn my living with music. Finally, being close to retirement, I started taking some basic art classes at the Art Students’ League across from Carnegie Hall. Finally, after retiring to Prescott, I was able to pursue my dream of being an oil painter! Classes at Yavapai College helped me get back on my chosen path!”

  

Bob Shuman is a passionate believer in the power of landscape photography—not just to please the eye, but to instill in all of us a deep reverence for nature. “Capturing the light is everything,” Bob exclaims, “As a landscape photographer, it is always the light that I remember most about any location. It is my inspiration!”

“After 50-plus years in the medical / scientific research fields,” notes Cathy Knisley, “I transitioned to the freedom of relaxed creativity. “It is a freeing experience to escape the world of facts and create your own reality. My love of nature and surrounding worlds with bright colors and vibrant palettes inspires my art. An air of mischief continually creeps in to inspire the imaginative process.”

Join us on the First Saturday, June 3 from 5-8 pm in Jerome known as “Jerome’s Art & Wine Walk” where the Co-op will celebrate these five talented artists displaying works in oils, photography, jewelry, acrylic pours and wood turned objects. Meet the artists, enjoy snacks, beer & wine and live music at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery (ground floor) for a memorable evening. The show runs May 31 – Aug 1. The gallery is open daily 10 am – 6 pm.

Currently accepting applications for membership in all media.

info@jeromecoop.com www.jeromecoop.com 928-639-4276

 “JUDY and JAMALEE in JEROME”

The Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery presents “Judy and Jamalee in Jerome,” a two-member show featuring new works by watercolor artist Judy Jaaskelainen and ceramist Jamalee Moret. A reception for the artists will be held on Jerome’s First Saturday Art Walk, April 1 from 5-8 pm at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery, at 502 Main Street in Jerome.

Ceramics has been Jamalee’s medium of choice for the past 20 years. Her connection with Nature influences the unique ways she molds, forms and creates with clay. She currently creates decorative and functional art with a focus on colorful glaze combinations.  

Jamalee shares, “I find that glazing my work is the most exciting part of my process. My background in watercolor painting has prompted me to play more with the glaze color combinations, knowing that the layering of the glazes can result in either a glorious or hideous-looking piece depending on how the glazes melt and merge with each other in the kiln. Opening the kiln is always a surprise!”  

Many of her pieces in this art show are miniatures--a project she has been working on for the past six months. “Years ago,” Jamalee recalls, “I saw an exhibition at the Whitney where an artist had 100’s of miniature pots on display, and I was so inspired, I thought, ‘I can do that one day!’ Well, I don’t have quite that many pots made, but I do enjoy making them in between my other ceramic work.”

Judy Jaaskelainen’s experiences abroad have figured into many of her watercolor paintings. “Lately, however,” she relates, “I seem to be focused on Southwest images. I enjoy the vast variety of textures, colors, and shapes found in my Arizona environment. The cacti, rocks, mountains, mesas, animals, and architecture all delight and stimulate my creativity. It’s good for my soul and my health to be painting. Arizona provides limitless inspiration with its unique, natural beauty and wildlife.”

Meet Judy & Jamalee during Jerome’s First Saturday “Art and Wine Walk,” on April 1 from 5-8 pm at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. The show runs March 30 – May 30. The Gallery is open daily from 10 am – 6pm. 928-639-4276. www.jeromecoop.com info@jeromecoop.com Currently accepting new member applications.

Visitors please Note: Free parking is available at the large brick building on the left coming into Jerome from Cottonwood. It is referred to as “the Old High School.” From there you can take a free shuttle up to town.