Author: Jenni Ward

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Last Chance for Open Studios 2016!

Last Chance for Open Studios 2016 | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculptureLast weekend of Open Studios was so fantastic! Thank you to everyone who came out to support the arts! I loved seeing old and new faces visiting me and exploring the new studio space. And pretty much everyone agreed that the parking is a lot better at the new space- if you’ve been to my old studio, you know what I mean.

Lots of art found new homes, but there is still more left waiting to find its space in your home. If you came last weekend and went home to measure and contemplate your space, come on back and join us on this rainy weekend. Looking forward to seeing you at the studio!

#228
2523 C Mission St Santa Cruz
Oct 15 & 16, 11 -5

I want to try that again

After a whopping 750+ people walked through my studio this weekend for the Open Studios Art Tour the most common phrase I heard when they were looking at my classroom area was, “I haven’t touched clay since I was in school. I want to try that again.”

I want to try that again | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

I started rock climbing about 5 years ago with a Climbing 101 class at the local rock gym. I’d wanted to do it my whole life, so I thought I’d give it a try. I wanted to see if it would scare me or challenge me- it did both and I love it. Now, it’s a part of my weekly schedule. I’ve built friendships and community from it, and I even created an installation from my Rock Candy Series at the gym.

We are much more likely to sign up our kids or give the gift of a class to someone else than we are to sign ourselves up for something we enjoy. Why do we deny ourselves these things as adults?

So, if you haven’t touched clay since you were young and you want to try it again, now is the time. I promise it will challenge you, you will make friends and it’s so much fun to get your hands dirty! Here’s the info…

Color at the UCSC Arboretum

Color at the UCSC Arboretum | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

Artist and curator Susana Arias has been working at the UCSC Arboretum to install her second show there titled ‘Color’. Work from 14 artists are exhibited within the South African Garden area and create eye catching moments around every corner. Be sure to check out this beautiful exhibit!

October 15 – January 10

First Friday Reception November 4th 4 – 6

UCSC Arboretum 

BUY ART

BUY ART | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculptureThere is a notion that buying art is only for the elite, those with large enough spaces to house art and that you must be educated in the field in order to make good purchases. All of that is wrong. One of the best lessons I learned wine tasting is that it doesn’t matter what the bottle costs or whose top ten list it’s on. What matters is that I like the way it tastes. Duh, right?

The same applies to art. If you like it, you like it. Maybe you can go deeper into figuring out why you like it, whether it’s an emotional connection to a piece or a connection to the material it’s made out of. Whatever the reason, if you connect with a piece you want to surround yourself with it, just like a wine you enjoy can round out a meal, a piece of art can round out your space.

Maybe you can’t afford the piece you connect with or you don’t have a wall big enough to hang it on, this happens to me all the time, but the good thing is that most artists make work in a variety of size and price ranges which can make taking home a piece of their work affordable to nearly everyone.

You are of course welcome to just come and look but for my Open Studios event this year, I have work priced from $15. and up, affordable for every budget. Thanks for supporting independent artists and buying art!

Hurricane Matthew and Haiti

As many of you know, I’ve made multiple trips to post-earthquake Haiti to work with artists, children and communities. In my time spent there, I’ve developed friendships and been honored to meet people who are doing an amazing job of being on the ground resources to help renew Haiti. The earthquake happened over six years ago and these people and organizations are still there making progress, everyday.

As I type, Hurricane Matthew is bearing down on the island and bound to leave disaster in its path. Many of these on the ground organizations have done what they can to help the people prepare for the storm, but the fact is that most of the residents don’t live in homes that can hold up to a storm like this and aid relief will be needed for thousands by the time this storm has passed.

If you are inclined to help, please consider donating to Haiti Communitere. I have worked with them and seen them in action, your dollars are very well spent here.

Hurricane Matthew and Haiti | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

 

This classroom is at a school in one of the most impoverished areas of Port au Prince and run by one of the most inspiring people I’ve met Winter Luc. The other photo is at Haiti Communitere’s base in Port au Prince where my good buddy Caleb is explaining to me what he’s learning in school and how he’s going to be a doctor someday.

Final Weeks of Sculpture IS: 2016

The 10th Annual Sculpture IS: at Sierra Azul Gardens is coming to a close. Be sure to get out there and check out the 50+ sculptures that grace the gardens before they’re all gone for the season. This piece from my Hive Series is there nestled into the redwood mulch with small vines starting to grow through and around the pieces. The exhibit is up until the October 31st.
Final Weeks of Sculpture IS: 2016 | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

Sierra Azul Gardens
2660 East Lake Ave
Watsonville CA

presented by PVAC Gallery

Sneak Peek of the New Studio

For all of you locals, I can’t wait to see you at my new studio when we launch in October for Open Studios! For all of you non-locals who can’t make it to the studio, I wanted to share a few photos of the new space and some of the installations that I’m working on. This photo shows my main exhibition area which will also double as a work area when the table spaces are cleared off and the bags of clay come out after Open Studios. I love having the high ceiling and huge walls to display all my work on.

Sneak Peek of the New Studio | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

Here is the new classroom space for Earth Art Studio, the big table made it’s way all the way across the county and was reassembled here ready to go. Reclaimed kitchen cabinets and handmade small drawers create storage areas for tools. Project examples and Art Hearts add lots of color and creativity to this area of the studio. I’m looking forward to classes starting next week at the studio!

Sneak Peek of the New Studio | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

I’ll be sharing new work from my Bone Series as well as recent work from the Lichen and Tide Pool Series. Works in progress and pieces from older series will also be on display. Join me October 8, 9 , 15 & 16 from 11 – 5 at the studio.

South County Open Studios This Weekend

South County Open Studios This Weekend | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculptureThe Open Studios Art Tour launches this weekend with South County Artists! Studios will be open October 1 & 2 from 11 – 5. Support your local artists and BUY ART!

With over 100 artists participating in the South County area, you can’t see them all so get your FREE guide or download the FREE app to start planning your tour today!

Be sure to include my studio in your North County or Encore Weekend Tour:
North County Studios Open October 8,9,15 & 16 from 11 – 5
Artist #228
2523 C Mission St
Santa Cruz CA