ultimate reality show—Shemer Art Center

November 19, 2015November 19, 2015 joanwatersLeave a comment

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ultimate reality show installed at Shemer Art Center, Phoenix, Arizona

Special thanks to Hector Ortega, who has several works exhibited on the Shemer grounds, for his time and efforts pouring the slab and applying his hammer-drilling expertise, and Shonna James, Interim Executive Director, for coordinating the final installation. The sculpture is part of the recently installed Arizona Sculpture Showcase, juried by Mary Bates Neubauer, and will be on-site for two years.

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Hector Ortega watches as the Craters and Freighters crew unloads the sculpture

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Enjoy a stroll around the grounds, and the many new works recently added to the outdoor sculpture exhibition.

New Times First Friday

November 9, 2015November 26, 2015 joanwatersLeave a comment

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Thanks, Lynn Trimble, for covering “13 Cool Places to Visit on First Friday,” and including a stop at Oasis on Grand. We need more arts coverage in Phoenix, and Lynn single-handedly visits each venue, shoots great images and writes about what she sees.

That Special Time of Year (again!)

November 8, 2015November 8, 2015 joanwaters4 Comments

It’s that special time of year again,
when we make special things to give as gifts…
…to show the people in our lives we care about them,
…to show them we appreciate what makes them unique and special
…and to bring them joy and happiness.

As artists, we know how good it feels to make something unique with our hands, and then give it to someone we love. It’s a special feeling to know the object cannot be found at the mall, and it is imbued with creativity and imagination and love from its inception….somehow it means more, even if it is as modest as a hand-made card.

I feel fortunate to host the Holiday Pop-Up Galleries at my studio again this year with artists Sandy Blain, Esmeralda DeLaney and Sandra Luehrsen, all esteemed local artists who do amazing work. Beginning Friday evening, November 13th (lucky), and continuing through the weekend, we have each created our own pop-up gallery, offering our latest creations, both large and small…unique works of art, hand-made, reasonably priced, from local artists.

The studio will be festive (and tidy!) and there will be refreshments and time to mingle with the artists and other art lovers. I hope you’ll visit us—it’s this coming one weekend only. We’re looking forward to sharing our latest original works, plus, there’s still time if you are thinking about a special commission for a holiday gift. Parking is easy, the studio is wheelchair accessible, and all are welcome, so bring a friend or six.

Friday night is the preview party, 5 to 9 pm. Saturday we’re open 9 am til 5 pm, and Sunday 10 am til 4 pm.

Visit the website for more details and directions AzOpenStudio.com

Tell your friends—Like us on Facebook Holiday Pop-Up Art Galleries

More Mission Clay Day

November 8, 2015November 8, 2015 joanwaters2 Comments

The kilns at Mission Clay. A firing takes 3 weeks.

More images showing the progression of work on the clay pipe…

The pipe with a thin coat of clear glaze, ready to dry and be fired.

ISC Conference in Phoenix—Big Clay Day

November 6, 2015November 8, 2015 joanwaters1 Comment

The International Sculpture Center is having its 25th Conference here in Phoenix this week. On Wednesday I participated in a special opportunity to work at Mission Clay. It was a small group of us. Bryan Vansell gave a tour, which I missed because I got there late. Then we drew numbers, and each of us was given a huge section of leather hard clay pipe to work on. There was an array of tools to carve, mark, drill, saw, and a wide selection of underglazes. We worked in the factory, next to all the noisy equipment, each of us immersed in our own little world.

Break for lunch and BBQ, generously hosted by Mission Clay. We sat outside on long tables, surrounded by all sizes of pipe—stacked high—and shared the meal with the people who work there; it was totally great. Then we were back to work, trying to finish up before the whistle blew. Many thanks to Bryan Vansell, Pat Siler, John Toki and others for their generous support and guidance. Thanks to Ree Kaneko for the photos. The pipe next to mine is the work of Anne Chase Martin of St. Louis.