Sunday, December 14, 2014

While at the laundry, a neighbor told me about another Art Show, this one much closer, in downtown Mesa, AZ.  Late morning turned out to be a perfect time since there was no problem parking close and the crowds were relatively light.  It was a beautiful, clear morning, although it was a bit cool (maybe high 50's).  One vendor commented we couldn't be locals in our short sleeved T-shirts - locals were wearing jeans and coats. 

Joani really liked this artist's technique of photographing cut crystal glassware with different colors behind it.  The setup was pretty easy, while the results were wildly varied with only a slight change in angle.  

"NewAwlins" by Diane Kempton

The three young ladies below, all dressed in silver, walked the art show from end to end in slow motion.  I guess they represented Winter.  They certainly reminded me of cold.  I never found out exactly why they were there, some art forms are meant to be experienced without asking any questions.  Every now and then they attracted a little too much attention like this little girl who kept trying to talk to them.

I think there were three artists who were selling turned wood pieces. They were far more interesting after my neighbor introduced me to pen turning.  We did not take pictures of their work, but with bowls and boxes and plates there clearly are a lot of projects beyond pens.

The art museum was open, so we took a break from the vendors and wandered through a few of the exhibition halls.  One artist worked with colored pencils on Birch panels.  I can't decide if I liked the medium or not, but it was certainly different.

Fascinating, yet creepy - the skull and legs are real bunny bone.

While we were in the museum store, I nearly missed the belly dancers - luckily I caught the show from a window.

Mesa Arts Center hosts a large variety of classes. Offerings include ceramics, drawing, glass, jewelry, metals, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and more.  Many local artists were in the classrooms working.   They were all eager to answer any questions or just fill you in on what they were doing.  I'm sure facilities like this attract a lot of people to this area.  OK, the weather helps, too. 

Having an open house is brilliant!  It makes you want to sign up for classes.

There was a very active group of spinners and weavers demonstrating a variety of things you can do with wool.  Guild members were spinning wool into yarn, knitting, weaving rugs and "felting" wool.  Yet another multi-faceted hobby that could take many years to thoroughly explore.  

A kind gentleman was willing to explain the felting process.

Time to get back to Sam, so I'll close with a shadow good-bye wave from the Mesa Arts Center water sculpture.