Tucson Art
by Charles Spillar on Nov.17, 2009, under Tucson Art, arts
New Book Highlights Public Art In Oro Valley
The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) have published the first-ever catalogue of public art in Oro Valley. The book, Excellence by Design: A Visual History of Public Art in Oro Valley, Arizona,” features detailed information about more than 70 works of art scattered throughout the town.
Entries include biographical information about the artists, personal statements from artists about their work (wherever possible) and the location of each piece. This volume also features artwork at Oro Valley’s town government campus, various roadway art displays and several projects completed under the auspices of the Pima Association of Governments Transportation Art by Youth Program. Since Oro Valley adopted its 1% for Public Art Program in 1997, artists have created more than 100 unique works of art throughout the town.
In the following slide show you will see some of our local artists featured within the book.
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by Charles Spillar on Nov.14, 2009, under Tucson Art, arts
DON’T MISS THIS ARTIST AT OPEN STUDIOS !
Full of It by Art Toones
Award winning artist Art Toones is opening her studios this weekend as part of the TPAC Open Studios Tour this Saturday 11/15 and Sunday 11/16. There are over 167 artists this year opening their studios to the public.
On Thursday, November 12, I attended the Open Studios exhibition at Gallery 801 Main St. put on by the Tucson Pima Arts Council. Art professor, Alfred Quiroz, of the University of Arizona was chosen as judge to pick the “best of show.” Art Toones , ceramic creation was selected for first place and receives a check for $500. Out of all the great art at this exhibition this piece really stood out as exceptional.
The winning ceramic sculpture titled ” Beneath” is the creation of professional Tucson artist Art Toones. I was so impressed with her work I immediately called her and received information for this article and recommend art patrons to visit her at her studio called Reality Check Studios. Her location and that of the other artists participating this weekend can be seen at at: http://www.tucsonopenstudios.com/ost/ost-online-program-2009.pdf
by Charles Spillar on Nov.06, 2009, under Tucson Art, arts
FEATURED ARTIST: Photographer, Karen A. Dombrowski-Sobel
From the moment she saw a print developing in a tray years ago she was entranced with the magic of photography. She learned early on to handle a negative in the darkroom and make it speak from her soul. Ever since that moment, she has followed her passion with her camera.
Karen’s award winning work certainly speaks for itself. Her vision seems to always come from somewhere inside herself as each of her subjects speak through her, revealing some meaning of itself and herself in the finished photograph.
She says the process of selecting the precise second to expose the film comes through a meditative process where her intuition takes over and light, form and feeling are transposed through her camera and herself. Her spiritual insight has given her an eye for the unusual from the ordinary. By viewing the images below you will SEE the unique professionalism she has achieved.
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by Charles Spillar on Nov.06, 2009, under Tucson Art, arts
Former Zee’s Warehouse SOLD at Auction!
The former Zee’s Warehouse located at 1 E. Toole Ave. (Stone/E. Toole) was auctioned off the morning of November 6 by the Arizona Department of Transportation. The former occupant Zee was forced out in late 2007 due to safety issues at the historic building.
For several years the City of Tucson has made gestures to help save the historic warehouse district by trading ADOT for city owned property which would have included 1 E. Toole. Anyone knowing anything about the arts district in Tucson knows the City talks more about preserving the arts district than actually doing any positive action. With the present economic situation they perhaps have an excuse for not implementing their Master Plan created by the city over 5 years ago.
At this mornings auction there were three bidders. The starting price was $165,000 and the final selling price was $252,000 offered by Patricia Schwabe of Peach Properties. Peach Properties has a good reputation for supporting the arts district and owns several art related properties in the area.
by Charles Spillar on Oct.29, 2009, under Tucson Art, arts
Piñatas: A Unique Art Form Made To Be Destroyed
Sponge Bob as Dracula
For weeks I traveled by a little shop on N. Stone and kept noticing paper maché sculptures drying outside. Recently I ventured into the shop called the Party Factory to discover a fun new world: The world of Piñata creation.
Paper Mache Sculptures Drying Outside The Party Factory
Sculptures Drying Inside Party Factory
This family operated store specializes in making over 250 different Piñatas in about every shape imaginable. The family business is third generation Piñata craftsmen. They are originally from Aqua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico and their family has been master Piñata craftsman for over 75 years. A fourth generation is learning the trade today from the father.
by Charles Spillar on Oct.20, 2009, under Tucson Art, arts
MAGIC CARPET CHAOS AT HISTORIC VALLEY OF THE MOON!
Tucson’s historic Valley of the Moon is continuing its 36th annual Halloween show at the famous fantasyland this month. It started on October 14 and will continue up until October 30. The reviews from visitors I talked with have been impressive. This year’s performance is titled Magic Carpet Chaos at the Haunted Ruins
The EVIL ONE! Photo by (halfpricecarboncredits.com)
The Evil One has returned and his minions are trying to hijack the new Magic Carpet Land from the Genie. Will the Wizard and the Genie have enough power to stop him? Return to the land of fairies and gnomes and embark on a mystical adventure armed with nothing more than your Magic Stone to help protect you and the Valley of the Moon from the forces of evil. The play is spooky but not frightening to younger children. (continue reading…)
by Charles Spillar on Oct.06, 2009, under Tucson Art, arts
Magic Carpet Icon Is Saved!
The Magic Carpet Sign
On Monday, October 5, the neon sign from the closed Magic Carpet Golf property on Speedway was removed and transported to storage. Within the next six months the sign is scheduled for restoration and to be reconstructed at a public location in the spring of next year. It took over 8 hours to remove it by the De La Cruz Neon Sign Company of Tucson.
Hooking up for removal
Prep for removal of sign.
The Magic Carpet neon sign was a beacon for the past 40 years to the popular miniature golf course. Hundreds of thousands of Tucsonans have enjoyed this unique facility and it had become an icon for Tucson before its closure in December of 2007. (continue reading…)
by Charles Spillar on Sep.22, 2009, under Tucson Art, arts
Featured Artist: Gonzalo Espinosa
OVER SEAS by Gonzalo Espinosa
Art is as much a part of his life as the air he breathes. The art and the artist have become one. Gonzalo Espinosa considers his work as a passage between his life experiences and their translation into his art.
TWO PERFECT SKIES by Espinosa
Espinosa merges the light and energy he witnesses in Arizona with the magical realism he witnessed growing up in Acapulco, Mexico. He considers his images as paths into his world of youth and masked heroes that live in the realm of his imagination and perception. (continue reading…)
by Charles Spillar on Sep.22, 2009, under Tucson Art, arts
HAVE FUN! Make Art for All Souls Procession!
Paper Mache head by Matt Cotten
A great opportunity for family fun has arrived again this year with a new mask and giant puppet workshop started September 22 and it is FREE! The workshop is being held at Splinter Bros. and Sisters Warehouse every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6:00-9:00 PM. The address is 901 N. 13th Ave.
12 ft. Puppet by Matt Cotten
This is a great opportunity for the whole family and individuals to work under professional instruction designing, constructing, and decorating a mask or big head puppet to wear or carry in the 20th All Souls Procession Sunday, November 8, 2009.
Angela Walker and sculpted bike. Photo by Susan K. Tiss
These workshops will also help people build their own altar, float or bicycle decoration for the procession. These workshops run from September 22 until November 12th. (Clean up after the parade) (continue reading…)
by Charles Spillar on Sep.14, 2009, under Tucson Art, arts
LONELY GHOSTS NEED NEW HOME!
Ghosts photo by John Meyer
The two ghosts from the closed Magic Carpet Golf property on Speedway have found themselves left all alone and are desperately needing a new home. A private party had originally adopted them but due to severe health problems are unable to take them home.
Besides the giant Sphinx, these 40-year-old statues find themselves totally alone since all the other figurative sculptures have been adopted. These two unique creatures are probably two of the easiest to remove and the lightest of all the giant statues on the former miniature golf course.
These Ghosts are very happy gentle creatures and are not meant to scare anyone. They just need a new loving home. For more details please contact me at cspillar@q.com for more details.
Make these GHOSTS happy again by adopting them!
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