Art at the Arboretum Opens Tomorrow!

Art at the ArboretumArt at the Arboretum Opens | events | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

May 18 – October 10, 2016
Opening reception June 1st 5-7
UCSC Arboretum

Join us for the inaugural “Art in the Arboretum Opening Reception” on Wednesday, June 1 from 5-7 p.m. in the Aroma Garden. Refreshments will be served at Norrie’s Gift & Garden Shop entrance.

UC Santa Cruz Arboretum is thrilled to partner with Susana Arias who is one of the curators of Sierra Azul Nursery & Garden’s Sculpture IS exhibits and welcome an exceptional group of local Santa Cruz artists for Art in the Arboretum “Sculpture’.

Art at the Arboretum

The opportunity to participate in a sculpture exhibit at the UCSC Arboretum recently came up and I’m delighted to showcase one of my newest installations from the Lichen Series there for the first time. This exhibit was curated by Susana Arias and includes local artists Marilyn Kuksht, Anna Martin, Jaime Abbott, Coeleen Kiebert, Christie Thomas, Scott Lindberg, Kirk McNeill, Jennifer Hennig and myself. The exhibit will be up June 1 – October 3, 2016 with a reception for the artists June 1st from 5 – 7.

Art at the Arboretum | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

 

About the Lichen Series:
This inspired by observing the growth of mushrooms, fungus, lichens and algae as they sprout, grow and perish throughout the seasons. In the natural world, these forms thrive and expand in organic patterns following the natural rhythms of dying areas of the forest and as the rains come and go. This installation explores the dualities of death and regrowth, the power of negative space and the contrast of dark and light.

For more images and a video of the original installation…

Installation in Progress for Sculpture IS:

Sculpture IS: turns 10 and there are lots of events planned to celebrate!

Yesterday, I installed 3 pieces from the Vine Series at Pajaro Valley Arts Council Gallery for the “In the Gallery” exhibit of Sculpture IS, co-curated by the amazing and talented Susana Arias and Hedwig Heerschop. Ironically, made in 2006, these vines are also celebrating their 10 year anniversary too! I love the way these guys seem to crawl across the walls of the gallery.

This show is going to be incredible with over 80 unique sculptures making their way into the gallery. The show opens May 4 with a reception for the artists and demos on May 15th at the gallery.  But you don’t have to wait that long, come to the Artist Demos & Talks at Cabrillo Gallery on May 5th  12:30 – 3:30 to learn more about some of the incredible sculptors participating in this exhibit.

Demos by Jaime Abbott, Ingrid Marianne, Payson McNett, Cynthia Siegel, Victoria May, Angela Gleason and Beverly Rayner with artist talks by Rose Sellery, Cynthia Siegel, Roy Holmberg and myself. I’ll be giving a talk about my work, my inspiration and using nature as my gallery space. I hope to see you there!

Installation in Progress for Sculpture IS: | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

Line Up for Sculpture IS: Demos and Talks

Line Up for Sculpture IS: Demos and Talks

My artist talk is coming up Thursday May 5th at the Cabrillo College Gallery!

This event is a special part of the 10th Anniversary of the Sculpture IS: exhibit held at Sierra Azul Gardens in Watsonville. This year there will be an indoor exhibition at Pajaro Valley Arts Council Gallery as well as the outdoor exhibit in the garden. A commemorating catalog of the event is also in the works!

Join me and this amazing line up of artists for demos and talks all about sculpture! A big thank you to the talented and amazing sculptor Susana Arias for inviting me to participate!

Thursday May 5th 2016
Cabrillo College Gallery
Aptos California
Demos: 12:30 – 2:00
Talks: 2:30 – 3:30

Make Your Mark

A few rebels have already done it. A few regulars are really tempted.

Now, it’s time for everyone to TAG the TABLE!

Join us at the Annual Spring Studio Sale and get a chance to make your mark!

Saturday April 30th 11 – 4

Make Your Mark | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculptureAbout the Studio Table aka: Joebob Mesa (yes, my studio table has a name):
At 8′ square, this table dominates the space in my studio and has held up well considering all it has been through over 12 years of use. My husband Nate is over 6′ tall and he designed and built the studio table, which is why it is the perfect height for an over 6′ tall man. What he didn’t realize was that my 5 and 6 year old students were about eye level with the table top, (whoops!) so we ended up getting some very tall stools for these little guys to teeter on. Next time, a lower table is definitely in order!

A few years ago we cut the table down to about 8′ x 7′ to make more walking room around the table. When we started to take it apart, I realized that the side boards had been burnished by hundreds of students hands running over them, it was honestly amazing to look at as a symbol of my time teaching art. And it actually inspired me to invite everyone to sign their name to the table as well. Hope to see you at the studio April 30th from 11 – 4!

Fun Fact: It is very common for clay artists to name their kilns, ours is Fireball, but we also named the throwing wheels; Thing One and Thing Two, the slab roller; Slabby Mc Slabberson and as mentioned above the table is Joebob Mesa. We would’ve named the extruder when it joined the studio this past winter, but it came with the name Super Duper Clay Extruder written right on it and everyone agreed that it really didn’t get better than that.

Save the Date: Artist’s Talk

Sculpture IS: 2016

Save the Date: Artists Talk | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculptureYup, thanks to the amazing Susana Arias who is helping organize the event, I’m going to be giving an artists talk as a part of the 10th Anniversary of Sculpture IS alongside a few other amazing sculptors from our talented county! Save the Date and come hear me talk about taking my work out into nature!

Thursday May 5th, 2:30
Cabrillo Gallery
Cabrillo College Aptos CA

Art to Go Video

Take Aways: Art to Go opened this Sunday at the Pajaro Valley Arts Council Gallery in Watsonville. If you were at the opening, you know it was swamped with artists and art supporters and work was flying off the walls. I took a quick video walk through of the exhibit but I think I captured more people than art- so you’ll have to check the show out for yourself. Remember that this exhibit is constantly changing as work is sold, new work replaces it, so check it out – often!

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