“Chiron” horse sculpture above by artist Pat Frederick, out of steel & copper.

Sculpture Garden at Tucson Jewish Community Center (TJCC), 3800 E. River Rd. (north of Dodge Blvd.)

Opening of 4th Annual Juried Exhibition
Sunday, November 4 • 1 p.m.-3 p.m. reception
Exhibition runs November 4, 2012 – March 15, 2014
All sculptures will be for sale with 35% commission to the TJCC.

Click here for photos of their permanent collection.

The Garden was years in the making and generously brought to life through private donations. What began as a wonderful gift to the JCC has become a gift to the Tucson community – a place to come, enjoy, and celebrate art.

Thanks to our wonderful Sculpture Garden Task Force, headed by Jill Rosenzweig, this group of volunteers has worked hard to ensure that the Garden is a premiere arts venue in Tucson.

In addition to the JCC’s permanent collection, artists from around the world submitted pieces for consideration. The final pieces were selected by a jury and the inaugural temporary exhibition debuted in November 2009. All pieces from the juried exhibition and some of the permanent acquisitions are for sale with a portion of the sales going back to the JCC.

Each year the exhibit will change in November and new pieces will be installed. What this means is the committee will review pieces and refresh the Garden with new art every fall.

This beautiful outdoor space is also the perfect setting for cocktails, wedding receptions and offers unlimited seating options. For rental information, contact Shelley Fitzgerald at 520-299-3000 x121.

Sculpture Garden Hours:
Sunday: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Closed Saturdays and Jewish holidays

Tours led by a docent are available by reservation. Please call Lynn Davis at 520-299-3000 x106.

Donations to the Sculpture Garden

Thanks to the generous support of donors to the Sculpture Garden, the JCC was able to be the home for art from around the world with no effect on our annual operating budget. We feel fortunate to be able to support the arts, especially during this tough economy.

Every dollar makes a difference. From infants to seniors and everyone in between, your gift helps provide an aesthetically gorgeous place for the many faces of the J. There’s no better time than now, and there’s no better reason than the Sculpture Garden!

For prospectus and other pertinent applicant information, contact sculpture@tucsonjcc.org, or call Lynn Davis at 520-299-3000 x106.

My husband and I attend events at the Tucson Jewish Community Center, and we especially appreciate the eclectic art sculptures in this beautiful garden. Photo (courtesy of TJCC) of one of my favorite sculptures “Itselfness” by Kosso Eloul made of painted steel. Enjoy the garden, and the new exhibition.

Tonight is the night for the Full Moon in October. Celebrate along with others from 5 to 8 p.m. — enjoy live music, wine tasting, a cookout (hot dogs/chips), other sweet goodies at the Metal Arts Village, 3230 N. Dodge Blvd. (north of the NE corner of Ft. Lowell and Dodge) in midtown Tucson. We’ve been a few times to this monthly event, and it’s definitely a fun evening under the Full Moon.

There are eleven artists’ studios in this “village” with hand crafted sculptures, decorative home decor, gates and art for your landscaped yard. Some of the metal artisans do live demonstrations of their art during this event, so its like an open studio tour.

A creative sculpture garden is in front of this locale, with imaginative pieces in mostly metal, some glass & ceramics. And don’t overlook the charming coffee shop “Coffee Loft” that’s tucked in the heart of the village, with its extra upstairs loft seating.

I did report on that coffee shop almost two years ago when it was named “Spill the Beanz” (click here).

Next full moon events in 2012: Wednesday November 28 and Friday December 28.

More info on their website, www.metalartsvillage.com, their Facebook page, or call 520-975-9792. Go online to their website for a list of their artists and photos of their metal creations.

Please remember to attend the 6th Annual Memory Screening Day at the Tucson Jewish Community Center (TJCC), on Tuesday, November 17, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

Seems that lots of people are more and more concerned about losing memory, doing things to exercise their brains to retain memory, etc. I confess I even attended a workshop this summer called “Exercising the Brain”, where I learned some memory training tips and the usefulness of “neurobics.” *

This event features memory screening, healthy lifestyle sessions, and education about Alzheimer’s disease, with diagnosis and prevention as well—all free. The sponsors are primarily the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation, www.alzheimersprevention.org, and lots other co-sponsors listed on the website.

For those of you without a computer, call 520-749-8374, x 2 for information. RSVP is recommended.

The Tucson Jewish Community Center has an informative, colorful website at www.tucsonjcc.org about their center’s multiple programs. TJCC is located at 3800 E. River Road, at Dodge and the Alvernon Overpass.

They just recently celebrated 60 years of their center in Tucson, and 20 years at their beautiful Dodge location, with a new, unique sculpture garden. (Incidentally the grand opening of that garden is today from 2 to 4 p.m. with complimentary refreshments and a cash bar. RSVP to 520-299-3000).

* “The term neurobics was coined by late neurobiologist Lawrence Katz and Manning Rubin to describe mental exercises designed to keep the brain alert.”

2010 UPDATE: 7th Annual event on Tues. Nov. 16, 8 to 12 noon at Tucson Jewish Community Center.