Gratitude

gratitude | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculptureI spend a lot of time sharing new work, events and ideas with you, but I want to take a moment to share my gratitude. This year Open Studios was unbelievable. From the masses of people the first weekend to braving the rain the second weekend, it was really an incredible year. Thank you, thank you, thank you to ALL of the patrons, students, friends, family and fellow artists who came to the studio to see my studio, who bought art and who brought me gifts and good wishes. I can’t do this event without you!

If you came to the studio on the first weekend, you probably met my parents who flew out from the east coast just to help me with the event. The shopped for me, set up art, cleaned, put up signs and worked both days of the event all day long. I overheard someone ask my mom is she had ever worried about me being an artist and the answer was ‘Never!’ Can’t get more supportive than that- thanks mom & dad!

You probably also met my amazing husband who despite being a just a week past a minor surgery and having to get up early to go to his real job the next day, was at the studio all day greeting you as you came in on sunny days and on the second weekend was running around fixing signs in the rain. His unbelievable support for my art and business is really what makes it all happen and I’m so grateful.

with much gratitude for all of you,

-j

 

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!

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

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

Open Studios 2016 Reminder!

Open Studios 2016 Reminder! | the dirt | Jenni Ward ceramic sculptureJust a reminder that Santa Cruz Open Studios is just around the corner and I’m looking forward to seeing you at the new studio! I’m looking forward to celebrating my 12th year of participating in the tour. I will have installations & individual pieces in a ranges of sizes and prices so there will be something for everyone! When you arrive at the studio make sure to sign up on the mailing list to get your free BUY ART sticker!

Open Studios 2016
October 8, 9, 15 & 16 11 – 5
Artist #228
2523 C Mission St
Santa Cruz

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

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

Open Studios 2016

SAVE THE DATE! So excited to launch the new studio space with my 12th year participating in the Santa Cruz County Open Studios Art Tour. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Jenni Ward ceramic sculpture | events | Open Studios 2016

 

Artist #228

October 8,9, 15 & 16 | 11 – 5

Join us at our NEW LOCATION:
2523 C Mission St Santa Cruz

For more information about the art tour visit:
Arts Council of Santa Cruz County