Mark Hemleben’s new painting “Nested in the Apple Tree” will be on view at his gallery in The Old Jerome High School.

First Saturday Art Walk in Jerome on June 7th is a cultural feast

Jerome, AZ - May 20, 2008 - Warm, easy nights of June in Jerome will set the perfect mood to welcome art lovers to stroll the lovely galleries and studios that circle the town from the Old Jerome High School to Stahlkraft by the Surgeon’s House. This first Saturday Art Walk on June 7th will continue to delight the growing group of people who are regulars as well as newcomers to this wonderful evening.

During the June 7th Jerome Art Walk, Pura Vida Gallery is excited to present the latest fashions in hand-crafted fiber art by Cyndi Buck. From the mountains of Colorado comes clothing with a contemporary flair, yet a timeless heirloom quality. Silk velvet and silk rayon charmuese tops and skirts are first sewn in pure white fabric and then hand-dyed in subtle blends of unique color combinations.

Pura Vida Gallery will host its infamous champagne and chocolate reception during the Artwalk from 5-8pm to welcome Cyndi Buck's exclusive designs to Arizona! Pura Vida Gallery is located at 501 School Street, just three doors down from the Red Rooster Cafe. You may contact the gallery at 634-0937.

The lingering spring was perfect for the Plein Air Painters at the Old Jerome High School. Not too hot, so the days were spent absorbing the environment and capturing the subtleties of light and shadow. New paintings at the Hemleben Gallery are from Lake Tahoe, camping trips to the Grand Canyon, and remote reaches of the Sycamore Wilderness. Along with Derryl Day, these painters head off road every week to discover new red rock formations and old ruins. The results will be in their galleries at the Old Jerome High School.

Alan Johnson surprises everyone, including all the regulars that see him daily pulling perfect expressos at the Flatiron Cafe. His art is making waves far and wide, and this year he has been selected by the Phoenix Art Museum to be one of the six recipients for a grant from the Contemporary Forum. You can see a selection of the art that gained this respect in his studio upstairs in building A at the High School during the first Saturday Art Walk, or at the Raku Gallery. For more of his work, explore Alan's website www.alanburjohnson.com

The Jerome Artists' Co-op will continue its show of the digital photography of Patrick Lincoln. Lincoln is an interesting character and has led an interesting life –his story includes past incarnations as a registered nurse, and bronco buster, not to mention a great background in spoken word and poetry slams. His artwork captures a quality of light and color not often evident with the naked eye, taking scenes and ideas we may be familiar with and enhancing them in incredible ways. His work is available in many sizes, ranging from grand scale to small, with prints and cards. “I am a gypsy grasshopper growing old, living from hand to mouth and month to month,” says Lincoln, “I am 58 years old with no wife, no pets, no MBA, no 401K, no health plan, no life insurance, no dental….but….I got a head full of hair, an eye full of art, a pocket full of poetry and damn few regrets!”

Stahlkraft is pleased to offer new exquisite velvet mesquite pieces including coffee tables/benches and unique must-see metal finishes that enhance any décor. Stahlkraft’s featured artist is Bhash, who creates intricate images of western themes using the oldest medium, charcoal. Jack Blum’s beautiful turned wooden bowls are on display. Edelweiss hand knit scarves for summer add a splash of color and style for summer.

This month, Spirit Art Gallery will be featuring three artists that have specialized in jewelry as wearable art, from earrings to zipper pulls to ankle bracelets and everything in between. At an early age, Vivianne Poe, a native of Washington State, experienced an interest in the fiber arts, expressing herself through knitting and crocheting. She relocated to Jerome, Arizona, in 1995, where she experienced an evolution in fiber artistry, in which she incorporated beads in fiber for the creation of fiber jewelry. This provided the transition into beaded jewelry. Vivianne uses the beautiful Swarovski crystals, along with semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls, glass, and Japanese Tensa beads, to create her wearable art.

Patricia Priolo is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, and now resides in Sedona, Arizona. She studied art and design, in various mediums, at both the University of Oregon and Oregon State University. She returned to the Bay Area where she spent 10 years designing, creating and teaching others to create wearable art, quilts and fabric crafts. Because of her extensive art background, Patricia brings a very strong sense of color and design to her jewelry creations. Her necklaces, earrings, and arm and ankle bracelets are unique and feature beautiful natural stones, freshwater pearls and glass.

Suzann Trout, who received her BA and MA from the University of New Mexico, taught for many years in Albuquerque, New Mexico, before making her home in Cottonwood, Arizona. She enjoys making jewelry, and is amazed and gratified by the concept of art as wearable personal embellishment for those who buy her jewelry.

The Spirit Art Gallery is happy to have local musician and jewelry artist, Doug Downer playing this evening. Doug has entertained in the Verde Valley for 20 years, performing at many local establishments.

Gallery 527 will be bidding farewell to founding member Mary Phoenix who is moving to Asheville, NC. Her ceramic work will remain in the gallery but her presence will be missed by the group. Mary has been an active and prolific artist in Sedona for 13 years and was a participant in The Javelina Project and well-loved artist showing her work in Hummingbird House, The Clay Pigeon and Santa Fe Savvy. See her stunning new torso, “Rose” and a lifelike iguana on a sphere. Music by Dave Rentz will add to a lively party as usual at Gallery 527.

Join Jerome Art Walk on June 7th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM for a night on the town. For more information, visit www.jeromeartwalk.com or call Donna at (928)649-2277.

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