South County Artists for Open Studios

I keep asking you all to come to MY studio for Open Studios this year, but while you’re out there, here are a few of my favorite clay and sculpture artists in the South County area to check out too! See you this weekend!

Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture | the dirt | South County Artists for Open Studios

Adon Valenziano Artist #162 Mixed Media Sculptures and Mobiles

Wendy Ballen Artist #203 Wire Sculpture

Liz Crain Artist #207 Handbuilt Ceramic Vessels

Elaine Pinkernell Artist #287 Textured Ceramic Slab Work

Karen Hansen Artist #292 Handbuilt Ceramic Sculpture

So get your guide, make your plan, hit the studios and BUY ART this weekend!

Need more info: www.artscouncilsc.org

Getting Ready for Open Studios 2015

This week is crazy busy at the studio while I get everything ready for Open Studios 2015, but I wanted to share a few teaser shots of what’s going on in the studio. Can’t wait to see y’all this weekend, here are the details:
Sat & Sun 11 – 5 | 767 Cathedral Dr Aptos | Artist #254

Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture | the dirt | getting ready for Open Studios 2015 Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture | the dirt | getting ready for Open Studios 2015 Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture | the dirt | getting ready for Open Studios 2015

Studio Gifts

My favorite thing about reopening the studio is reconnecting with my students and the creative people in my life. This week I was welcomed back with two perfect gifts. The first is half of walnut shell which reminded the giver of my work. I love that my work makes others connect with nature in a way they might not of otherwise. The other is my new  ‘I’d rather be sculpting’ bumper sticker which goes perfectly with my ‘buy art’ sticker! Love these new additions to my collections…do my people know me or what?

Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture | the dirt | studio gifts Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture | the dirt | studio gifts

Preview Exhibit for Open Studios

Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture | the dirt | Preview Exhibit for Open Studios

 

Got a chance to swing through the preview exhibit for Open Studios 2015 at the Santa Cruz Art League yesterday. The diversity of talent and creativeness in this county is overwhelming, I’m humbled to be included in this group. I also discovered that my piece had already sold and to put the icing on the cake, it was purchased by a fellow artist whose work I respect greatly; Liz Crain– if you aren’t familiar with her work, click the link and prepare to be wowed by her ceramic work. Feeling the love today!

Hope to see you all at Open Studios October 10, 11, 17 & 18 from 11 – 5
767 Cathedral Dr Aptos | Artist # 254

Open Studios Preview Exhibit at Santa Cruz Art League

Join me and about 300 other talented artists at the Santa Cruz Art League this Sunday! This new piece from my rock candy series will be on display making its exhibition debut there. If you need a little art & nature for your space, you can purchase it at the opening which also helps support the Art League. Hope to see you there!

Preview Exhibit for Open Studios 2015
September 26 – October 18
Artist Reception Sunday, September 27, 3-6 pm
Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture | the dirt | Open Studios Preview Exhibit Opens at Santa Cruz Art LeagueFor more information about Open Studios visit the Arts Council website!

The Hive has landed in Grand Rapids

The Hive Series Installation is officially set up at (106) Gallery in Grand Rapids for ArtPrize2015! It was quite a venture getting nearly 200 fragile pieces wrapped, boxed, crated and shipped across the country only to have the gallery staff rely on really detailed instructions from me to get the whole piece installed. They did a beautiful job assembling each piece and I’m so pleased with the exhibit. Here are a few gallery shots taken just before ArtPrize officially opens. If you’re in the area, get out and see some art and rock the vote!

Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture | the dirt | The Hive has landed in Grand Rapids Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture | the dirt | The Hive has landed in Grand Rapids Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture | the dirt | The Hive has landed in Grand Rapids

ArtPrize 2015 Opens!

Weighing the Landscape | September 9 – October 11, 2015 | (106) Gallery | Grand Rapids MI
ArtPrize is a “radically open competition” held in Grand Rapids, Michigan for two and a half weeks each fall. This year the Calvin College (106) Gallery presents, “WEIGHING THE LANDSCAPE.” Drawing on the environment for both thematic and formal inspiration, these twelve ArtPrize artists explore and measure connections within the landscape. Whether it is the relationship between strength and fragility, sustainability and wastefulness, light and dark, or growth and decay, each artist addresses the topic in unique ways. As a result, this measuring of opposites brings questions to mind. How does one find beauty in deterioration, see order within chaos, address stewardship amongst change, or understand rigidity within an organic space? These and other questions are at the root of the artistic process and invite the viewer to weigh the landscape in this exhibition. If you are in the Grand Rapids area, visit the gallery at: (106) Gallery and Studio, 106 South Division Ave. Grand Rapids, MI 49503 and register to vote for your favorite piece!

Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture | the dirt | ArtPrize 2015 Opens

The artists are: Valerie Allen, Al Denyer, Kate Gesel, Yasmin Khalaf, Karen Lemmert & David Naill of MANIFOLD Design, Jeannette MacDougall, Armin Mersmann, Zach Mory, Kimberly Roush, Sam Soet, Jo-Ann Van Reeuwyk, and Jenni Ward