Fine Arts at the County Fair

Fine Arts at the County Fair | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

If you’re headed to the Santa Cruz Fairgrounds this weekend for the pig races, the corndogs and the quilts, don’t forget to swing through the Fine Arts Building too! There are some amazing pieces of art in there created by kids to professional adult artists. All Earth Art Studio students that participated in our 2016 Summer Workshop Series have a piece entered in the fair. Last year we racked up the ribbons, see if you can find the talented mixed media and ceramic sculptures we entered this year!

Last Chance to See SCULPTURE at the Arboretum

Last Chance to See SCULPTURE at the Arboretum | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

 

There are only a few weeks left to see SCULPTURE at the UCSC Arboretum in Santa Cruz. This exhibit, curated by Susana Arias showcases Santa Cruz sculptors Jamie Abbott, Jeffrey Arnett, Jennifer Hennig, Coeleen Kiebert, Marilyn Kuksht, Anna Martin, Kirk McNeil, Christie Thomas & Scott Lindberg, and Jenni Ward. The 9 pieces are displayed throughout the Aroma Garden. Be sure to check it out before it’s gone!

May 18 – October 10, 2016

UCSC Arboretum

Open Studios Preview Exhibit

Open Studios Preview Exhibit | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculptureDropping off art for the 2016 Open Studios preview exhibit at the Santa Cruz Art League today and picking up my big green signs! Be sure to pick up your FREE guide or download the app and grab artist’s postcards to help you chart your tour!

The exhibition is open September 24th – October 16th
Reception September 25th 3 – 6pm
First Friday Reception October 7th 5 – 9pm

Santa Cruz Art League
526 Broadway, Santa Cruz CA
www.scal.org

To learn more about this event visit: Arts Council of SCC

Classes Start Soon!

Classes Start Soon! | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculptureClay classes at the new studio start up again in a few weeks, are you signed up?

Adult Clay Classes:

October 4, 2016 – December 15, 2016
(no class Thanksgiving week)
Tuesdays 7 – 9pm
Thursdays 10am – 12pm

Click here for more details…

Private/Semi-private Kids Classes:

October 4, 2016 – December 15, 2016
(no class Thanksgiving week)
Tuesday | 12:30 – 2, 2:30 – 4 or 4:30 – 6
Wednesday | FULL
Thursday | 12:30 – 2, 2:30 – 4 or 4:30 – 6

Click here for more details…

Classes are located at:
Earth Art Studio 2523 C Mission St Santa Cruz CA 95060

Ceramics Monthly: Studio Visit

Ceramics Monthly: Studio Visit | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

I am thrilled to share that my Studio Visit article has been published in the October issue of Ceramics Monthly. This article is a regular portion of the magazine and features an in depth look into a different artist’s studio life each month. Artists discuss where they work, how they take care of their mind and body, how they market and sell their work as well as advice to younger artists. It is such an honor to be selected especially at such a transitional time in my studio life. Read on here…

Studio Visit: Jenni Ward, Santa Cruz California

Open Studios 2016 is coming!

Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture | the dirt | Open Studios 2016 is coming

I’m so excited for my 12th year participating in the Santa Cruz County Open Studios Art Tour. On typical years it is a huge effort to prepare for this event, but this year, building out the new studio space and getting everything set up has been a monstrous undertaking. But, it’s really starting to come together and I can start to imagine making work in this space.

I hope you can join me on October 8, 9, 15 & 16 from 11 – 5 at the new studio location:
2523 C Mission St Santa Cruz, Artist #228

Keep an eye out for these postcards around town and be sure to pick one up at the Santa Cruz Art League preview exhibit.

For more information about Open Studios visit: Arts Council of SCC

Studio is Closed for Moving!

August is our normal break time from classes and we usually plan an epic trip somewhere but this year, our epic trip will be to the other side of the county! We will be very busy moving the whole studio to our new westside location, so The Dirt will go on hiatus while we move but you can still keep in touch over the next few weeks:

Add yourself to the mailing list so you get updates on reopening of the studio & upcoming classes and events

Follow my Instagram account @JenniWardArt

BUY ART! The online shop is open 24/7 with discounts on the Specimen Series for just a few more days!

Join me August 5th for First Friday at the UCSC Arboretum

Visit my Bone Installation at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts

Studio is Closed for Moving | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

Thanks so much to all the students, visitors and art patrons for 12 years of creativity at Earth Art Studio in Aptos. See ya in September on the Westside!

Bone Installation Portfolio

A new portfolio page of my Bone Series Wall Installation at the Healdsburg Art Center has been posted to the website. Here’s a teaser, but check out more images here…

Bone Installation Portfolio | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture

 

First ‘First Friday’ at the Arboretum

Mark Your Calendar: August 5 is ‘First Friday’ at the Arboretum!

The Arboretum will host its first ‘First Friday’ free event on August 5 from 2:00 pm–7:00 pm. Visitors can meander the paths of the Aroma Garden to view the beautiful, one-of-a-kind outdoor sculptures by nine local artists: Jamie Abbott, Jeff Arnett, Jennifer Henning, Coeleen Kiebert, Marilyn Kuksht, Anna Martin, Kirk McNeill, Cristie Thomas/Scott Lindberg, and Jenni Ward. Two of these artists will offer workshops or demonstrations.

WORKSHOP:

artistJamie Abbott’s sculptures are inspired by biomorphic forms, which he encapsulates with organic elements. Using thin gauge wire and wire tools, Abbott will guide participants in the wrapping and connecting of branches, pods, leaves, and many other materials collected from the Arboretum gardens.

• Sessions at 2:00-3:15 pm and 3:45-5:00 pm;
• Limited to 20 persons per session; to sign up, call the Arboretum office at 831.502.2998;
• $10 for Arboretum members; $20 for non-members;
• Participants are welcome to take their sculpture home or have it installed in the Art in the Arboretum exhibition until it ends October 10.

artistDEMONSTRATION:

Kirk McNeill is the artist-blacksmith of Freedom Forge, located on Santa Cruz’s West Side; McNeill works with hot forged iron, bronze, and copper, creating unique sculptures, in both modern and historical designs, to enhance buildings and landscapes. He will bring his portable forge to give blacksmithing displays.

• Demonstrations from 3:00-5:00 pm; visitors will be able to watch how an artist uses his skills and tools to create pieces of art.

Susana Arias, the curator of the exhibit, will be on hand to answer questions about Art in the Arboretum, an on-going event showcasing local sculptors and their work.