KITE by Charles Rogers

Fill up the gas tank in your car, load up your family and friends and head out to one of Tucson’s most popular events. It is the Tucson Open Studios where you will get to meet some of Tucson’s finest artists in their studios and homes this weekend and see their unique creations. The event takes place this coming Saturday and Sunday, April 13 & 14 from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm in over 75 locations with more than 140 artists participating.

It is happening all over Tucson. Expect to see about every kind of art medium you can imagine from oil or acrylic on canvas, glass, textile art, jewelry, ceramics, print making, sculptures in different mediums, photography, and more.

Janet Burner in her studio

Tucson Open Studios event is funded and promoted by the artists themselves as it has been for the past number of years.  This year there are a number of new professional artists that have not been seen by the Tucson public prior to this weekend.

The advantage to viewing work in this open studios format is to see work as it is being created and to be able to talk to the creative person about it.  By just looking at a blank canvas or a bag of clay you realize that without the creative energy and passion of these artists nothing would appear.

“Two Chickens” by Brenda Huettner

Two new professional artists that have studios near mine in Dunbar Springs are Charles Rogers on University Blvd. (painting at top of this article) and Brenda Huettner on 9th Ave.  When visiting Brenda’s display in her Dunbar Springs home be sure and check out the Poo Monkey from the closed Magic Carpet in her side yard. She and her husband had it totally restored.

For participating artists and the location to their studios visit the Tucson Studio Tours website that lists all the artists on tour with a sample of their work and directions to their studios. http://tucsonopenstudios.com

Birthmark by Kyle Johnston

In the printed April issue of  Zocalo magazine a majority of the artists are listed with their locations. This year the event has attracted lots of media coverage in Zocalo,Tucson Weekly,  the new Tucson Happenings magazine, the Arizona Daily Star (Sunday 4/7/13 issue) and on several radio stations. It is obvious this is a much-anticipated event.

I highly recommend you taking advantage of this great opportunity to see great art, meet the creators and buy a piece for your own collection this weekend.

Simon Leach Workshop

YouTube sensation Simon Leach, will be teaching an  intensive two day workshop concentrating on wheel throwing, from bottom to top at the Romero House Potters studio this coming Saturday April 13 and Sunday April 14^th.

You will learn  production techniques passed down through generations of British. Visit YouTube, Keep Practicing with Simon,http://www.youtube.com/user/sleachpots/videos.

Interested students are invited to a free Slideshow Friday April 12 from 6 pm -7 pm at the Romeo House Studio.

For more information http://www.romerohousepotters.org., 624-4287 or contact Brenda Arwood at 465-4004 or barwoodart@hotmail.com.  Register soon—space is limited and spots are filling up!

Location:

The Romero House Potters, Inc,

102 W. Washington Street

Tucson Artist Eneida Colon Sculpting A new Work

The Lacey Jarrell Foundation  will be presenting an exhibition & sale of award winning artwork by National and International artists at the Ward 6 Gallery beginning April 6.  The title to the exhibition is The Melange Art Show. Their opening reception is April 6 from 5-9 pm at the Ward 6 office.

The Foundation was developed in memory of Lacey Jarrell, a young artist who died in a tragic car accident at the age of 16 in Tucson, AZ in 2006.

The Lacey Jarrell Foundation is a 501 3C non-profit organization whose mission is to help aspiring student artists ages 13 –21. The foundation provides support with tuition, book expenses, art supplies and promotes educational lectures in our schools, art classes and other artistic related endeavors. The Foundation also provides up to six pro bono counseling sessions for the artists and their families.

Candela by Victor Navarro

This fund-raising exhibition features work by carefully selected artists from Arizona, Texas, Brazil, Mexico and France. The participating artists come from diverse backgrounds and will present varying styles created in a number of different mediums. All of the artists are participating to benefit The Lacey Jarrell Foundation and artistic culture. The art seen here is just a sampling of the great work available for sale to benefit this important organization. Great art and great prices.

Magia de Jujer by Lucy Cruz

The art exhibition will be on display from April 6, 2013 through May 30^th, 2013. Artists will share their knowledge in creating art in different mediums. Each weekend the event will include special art demonstrations, interactive group projects, music, and other entertainment.

 The Lacey Jarrell Foundation representatives will be available at the front desk for more information. Admission is free for all guests.

EXHIBITION DATES: APRIL 6 – MAY 30, 2013

OPENING RECEPTION: SATURDAY, APRIL 6 FROM 5:00 –9:00 PM.

Location: Ward 6 Office

3202 East First Street

Tucson, AZ 85716