Celebrate  our community’s creative spirit with me and guest artists Judith Amiel-Bendheim, Sandra Luehrsen, and Troy Moody as I open my Tempe studio again this year to host festive pop-up galleries mounted by these local art makers—Friday, Nov. 15th through Sunday, Nov. 17th. Join us for a toast at the fun (and busy!) Preview Party  Friday evening, from 5 to 9 pm, with creative bites by culinary artist Love, Mindy.

We look forward to informally meeting people and sharing our newly created one-of-a-kind artworks. Discover exciting original and unique hand-made functional ceramics and jewelry, ceramic sculpture, art glass assemblage, welded steel sculpture and gifts. Works by these artists can be found in homes and notable corporate and museum collections around Arizona and the United States. Magazines, creative journals, television, and online videos have featured their art. Love, Mindy will also bring her stylish upcycled vintage fabric aprons and bags, perfect for gift giving. Find lots of free parking and wheelchair accessibility at the studio. We are located just one-half mile from the Light Rail. Follow us on Instagram @AzOpenStudio

Judith Amiel-Bendheim

Judith Amiel-Bendheim was born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel where she worked as a clinical pharmacist over 25 years. After moving to Arizona about 10 years ago she changed her direction to working full time in ceramics and jewelry. She specializes in “carving bowls,” suitable for daily dining use due to their smooth, sealed interiors, but which also display a deftly textured exterior, carved with the signature 3D patterns making the pieces pop. Judith was recently selected as “Best Ceramics 2019” by Phoenix Magazine, Editor’s Choice. Her work can be found in stores including Phoenix Art Museum Store, Objects, Practical Arts, Phoenix-General, Noons and more. See Judith’s art at www.ceramicsbyjudith.com or https://www.instagram.com/ceramicsbyjudith/ or @ceramicsbyjudith

Sandra Luehrsen

Sandra Luehrsen left the green Midwest to live in the wild khaki colored desert. She says, “I wanted a new beginning. The exotic desert flora fascinated me from the start. Inspired by desert plants, the colors of the land and sky, and a greener past, I use clay sculpture and mixed media prints to create my art. I build trees of life, gardens, skies, and purely sculptural vessels. Some sprout flowers, cacti, planets, and stars.” The Auckland Institute and Museum in New Zealand, the ASU Art Museum’s Ceramics Research Center, Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, the West Valley Art Museum, the Cities of Phoenix, Tempe, Peoria, Chandler and Prescott Valley, the Kamm Teapot Foundation, and many notable private and corporate collections hold Luehrsen’s work. See more of Sandra’s art at www.SluehrStudios.com or https://www.instagram.com/sandyluehrsen/ or @sandyluehrsen

 

Troy Moody

Troy Moody has been creating innovative art glass for more than two decades. His Public Art portfolio includes more than 85,000 square feet of award-winning Terrazzo designs for the Phoenix Convention Center and the Maricopa County Superior Court Tower. Other notable projects include work for Scottsdale Public Art, the City of Glendale, Ascension Lutheran of Paradise Valley, the Phoenix Church of the Beatitudes, the Salvation Army’s Southwest Headquarters and countless luxury homes. In addition to his site-specific work, Troy produces mixed-media and kiln-formed art glass on an intimate scale exhibited and collected nationwide. See more of Troy’s art at www.troymoody.com or https://www.instagram.com/troymoody/ or @troymoody

 

Joan Waters

Joan Waters, recently honored as one of the Phoenix New Times’ 100 Creatives, is widely known for her energetic contemporary sculptures. Waters says, “I love the dynamic, reflective qualities of metal and the challenge of turning flat, hard, industrial material into organic forms that seem to shift and move as the reflect light.” In addition to her sculpture, beautiful color rich small-scale drawings, paintings, and steel framed wall tile will fill her pop-up gallery. She will also show handmade ceramic tile tables and sculpture perfect for outdoor living spaces. She believes, “Living with art around us reminds us of the spirit and joy of life. Art can be an inspiration to us as we go about our daily routines.” Born in England, Waters studied the core disciplines of drawing and painting at MICA—Maryland Institute, College of Art. Childhood travels helped her cultivate the habit of looking at the world from different perspectives. See more of Waters’ art at www.JoanWaters.com or https://www.instagram.com/joanwatersart/ or @joanwatersart

Follow our updates on Instagram @AzOpenStudio

A special thank you to Sandra Luehrsen for writing, compiling and editing this copy about each of the artists.