Log in

entertainment

Winter events showcase locally handcrafted artworks

Shows in Florence, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, Apache Junction and Queen Creek

Posted 11/2/20

Several art shows will be held in Pinal County and eastern Maricopa County in November and December, including one each in Florence, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, Apache Junction and Queen Creek.

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor
entertainment

Winter events showcase locally handcrafted artworks

Shows in Florence, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, Apache Junction and Queen Creek

Posted

Several art shows will be held in Pinal County and eastern Maricopa County in November and December, including one each in Florence, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, Apache Junction and Queen Creek.

The events, which have artists spread out to encourage social distancing because of the COVID-19 pandemic, are a fall studio tour Nov. 7-8 and a holiday art show Dec. 12, both by the Artists of the Superstitions; an arts and culture festival Nov. 7-8 by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce; and a holiday art and gifts market Nov. 14 by the San Tan Artists Guild.

Florence arts and culture festival

The Historic Florence Arts and Culture Festival is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 7-8 on North Main Street between Ruggles Street and 11th Street.

The road will be closed to vehicle traffic, with the exception of load-in and load-out of the festival. An information booth, manned by festival volunteers, will be at Main and Ninth.

“The Historic Florence Arts and Culture Festival is one of the newest festivals in the West with booths and original fine works of art in every price range — sculptures, paintings, clothing, jewelry, crafts, local food and more. Live music and demonstrations will make this a truly cultural experience that will celebrate all that is wonderful in the Great Southwest,” according to a statement at zapplication.org seeking artists for the event.

“We are working with our state and local agencies regarding COVID-19 for policies and procedures following their safety guidelines,” it states.

Go to the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce’s website at florenceazchamber.com.

14th Annual Fall Studio Tour

The Artists of the Superstitions is hosting its 14th Annual Fall Studio Tour 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 and Sunday, Nov. 8 in Apache Junction and Gold Canyon.

“Join us for two beautiful fall days to enjoy the outside and this free self-guided annual studio tour which has become an anticipated event for art lovers since it began in 2007. This will allow you to visit many of the artists’ studios, which are scattered in front of the awesome Superstition Mountains,” according to a release.

The juried artists offer their creativity in clay, copper, fabric, glass, gourds, jewelry, painting, photography, pottery, sculpture, wood and more.

“You will be treated to unique locally handcrafted wearables, home decor and more,” the release states. “You will have a wonderful opportunity to just relax and spend the weekend in the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon area, driving roads less traveled, visiting studios, meeting with the artists and watching them demonstrate their creativity. While visiting each studio, take some time to really see the artworks these artists create and you might find a special piece that speaks to you.”

The Superstition Mountains have inspired people for many years in different ways. The Tonto National Forest brings with it not only saguaros, but a wide variety of wildlife that freely roam the area and which many artists include in their art, according to the release.

Maps for the tour are available from the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce, 567 W. Apache Trail; and at www.artistsofthesuperstitions.com. The map includes the addresses of each studio on the tour, the names of the artists and each artist’s special medium. Maps will also be available at each studio.

This year’s tour is expected to feature 50 artists in 14 studios. They are, by studio number on the map:

  1. Alison Williams, fiber art, wet felting; Kim Nelander, silver gemstone jewelry; Amy Trowbridge, wheel-thrown pottery; and Annie Loyd, stained glass, photography.
  2. Bill Agard, photography on metal/glass/canvas; DeWanda (Dee) Perdue, acrylic painting; Shirley Arsenault, pottery; and Phyllis Joos, litho prints, etchings.
  3. Jane Hayes, watercolor, acrylic, watercolor jewelry; Jeff Hayes, photography; Sharon Elliot, woodcarving, painting; and Brian Davenport, silver gemstone jewelry.
  4. Don Lawrence, digital photography; Sandra “Sam” Chavis, gemstone jewelry; and Deborah Mullins, alcohol ink, jewelry.
  5. Kimmberly Ioane, raku fired clay; Lori Berry, fused glass art; Mike and Dehlia Davis, woodworking; and Diane Haugen, drawings, watercolor, gourd sculpture.
  6. Jennifer Kennard, silversmith, jewelry; Vanessa Ortiz, mixed media; and Larry Larson, fused glass art
  7. Bob Chrisman, woodworking; Mary Etta Chrisman, pastel paintings; Ragena McSherry, stained glass, mosaics; and Windee Clement, mixed media, polymer jewelry.
  8. Suzanne Lowry, copper sculpture and jewelry; and Cheri Reckers, silk paintings/wearable art.
  9. Charlene Rule, framed copper impact art; Mattie Gadd, cabochon jewelry; Janie Grosman, carved organic gourd vessels; Sue Roake, leather goods; and Jan Ryan, flame-painted copper art.
  10. David Huffman, acrylic on canvas; Lisa Manifold, photography; and Eileen Pieczonka, author children books.
  11. Dave Watkin, stained glass; Kathleen McDonald, acrylic paintings; and Donna Vogel, jewelry.
  12. Julie Hathaway, gourd art; Barbarann Mainzer, nature oil paintings; and Kathy Mitchell, acrylics and silk.
  13. Jerry Cave, acrylics; Ed Welsh, wood art; Diane Kinzell, gourds; and Maryann Erickson, jewelry.
  14. Joanne West, landscape, nature and wildlife photography; Barbara Beavers, hand-built pottery; Janna Blok, dichroic fused glass; and Sharon Gilbertson, acrylic, primitive drum art.

“Although this is a smaller group than prior years due to the COVID-19 virus and artists not returning to our area as early as usual, our artists are spread out at each studio so that you can practice social distancing while visiting. Hand sanitizer will be available and masks are recommended. We are following guidelines to protect all of you and us,” the release states.

More detailed information may be found at the Artists of the Superstitions website or email questions to artists.superstitions@gmail.com.

Holiday Art and Gifts Market Nov. 14

The San Tan Artist Guild is holding its fall juried fine art festival 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Queen Creek Olive Mill, 25062 S. Meridian Road in Queen Creek.

There will be more than 20 booths of fine art by local artists, according to a release.

“Cheri Reckers, a Queen Creek painter whose bold colorful work often includes San Tan Mountain vistas, will be exhibiting her silk paintings and wearable art. Other mediums you’ll see at this outdoor show include acrylics, pastels, watercolors, ceramics, jewelry, mixed media, photography and glass,” the release states. “Barbara Usey from Gilbert will be showing her award-winning colorful abstract paintings and mixed media pieces. She’d love to tell you about the techniques she’s mastered and used in creating her unique work. Also at the show will be Valerie Done, who creates most of her oil paintings of Arizona landscapes on location en plein air.”

All booths are out in the fresh air and will have extra spacing, so patrons can view the art while safely distancing.

“After enjoying the art festival you can grab a bite to eat at the Queen Creek Olive Mill restaurant and shop for your favorite flavor of extra virgin olive oil made from Arizona-grown olives,” according to the release.

Admission is free. For more information, go to santanartistsguild.com.

Holiday Art Show

The holidays are coming and it is that time of year for art lovers to view and select original, unique and juried art for the season.

The Artists of the Superstitions invite all to a fine art show 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, on the grounds of Mountain View Lutheran Church, 2122 S. Goldfield Road in Apache Junction. The show is offered free to the public.

“A diverse selection of artwork — ceramics, fiber, glass, gourds, jewelry, painting, photography, woodworking and more — will be represented by member artists whose art will be presented at the show and some examples are provided here,” according to a release.

“This is a great indoor and outdoor event on the corner of Apache Trail and Goldfield Road so the visibility will be great,” it states.

“Our artists are separated inside and outside so that you can practice social distancing while visiting. Hand sanitizer will be available and masks are recommended. We are following guidelines to protect all of you and us,” according to the release.

For more information on the Artists of the Superstitions Holiday Art Show, go to www.artistsofthesuperstitions.com.