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Ranch Gate with Wild Turkeys by Andy Rush
Margie Buchanan, whose piece is pictured above, will be one of the artists on the Oracle Tour. Submitted
Jill Caid, whose piece is pictured above, will be one of the artists on the Oracle Tour. Submitted
Carolann Small, whose piece is pictured above, will be one of the artists on the Oracle Tour. Submitted
Oracle has been a center for artists for more than 50 years, and this year the town’s art scene is easier than ever to visit with the 22nd annual Artist Studio Tour, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, April 12 and 13. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Start at the Welcome Center, 1995 American Ave., where you can pick up a self-guiding map and see examples of work by all the participating artists.
Follow the purple directional signs to visit the studios, winding through the oaks and hillsides of cool Oracle to see the work of 47 artists and artisans at 20 locations — their own studios, shared venues and historic ranches and barns.
You will find a wide range of art techniques and media — paintings in oil, watercolor, acrylic, encaustic and pastels, steel and found-object sculpture, clay figures and functional pottery, custom wood furniture, landscape photographs, artists’ handmade books and botanical papers. You will find jewelry with semi-precious stones in sterling silver and vermeil, lace tapestries, quilts, decoupage candles, fabric wall art, glass work and gourd craft.
Three artists will show at the Medley Studio: Alicia Bristow (jewelry), Megan Corder (repurposed crafts), and Karen Medley (clay sculpture and functional pottery).
At Triangle L Ranch, Sharon Holnback will show glass and steel sculptural objects, Patricia Katcher will show photo artwork and Suzie Daigneault will show bee-keeps for native bees.
Four artists will show work at the Creighton Studio — Judith Walsh in encaustic and jewelry, Diana Creighton in oil painting, Joel Nilsson in pottery and Ned Creighton in whimsical steel sculpture.
At the Cowlin Studio, Barbara Cowlin will show water-reflection and other paintings in acrylic and Jim Cowlin will show his landscape photographs and artist-made books.
The Wilson Art Barn will feature five watercolorists of the Oracle WEGO group: Margie Buchanan, Nyla Butler, Jill Caid, Pat Hardin and Rachel Opinsky. Also at the barn: Carol Mahoney’s clay sculpture, Elvia Acuna Schwenke’s decorative arts and Anna-Maria Dickinson’s paintings in oil. On the east-side field see the “Peaceful Warriors” installation.
Quentin and Julie Branches’ home is itself a sculpture, a work in rammed earth, and two artists will be showing there as well: Val Bembenek (handmade paper) and Bunny Bunzel (welded steel).
Other artists showing at group and individual venues include Ethel Amator, Colin Budd, Susie Cochran, Deborah Currier, Joy Fox, Karen Guss, Patty Guertin, Christopher Holleman, Elizabeth Manfredi, Kimberley Mosher, Glennda Neff, Frank Palazzolo, Jerry Parra, Jack Roszko, Laurel Roth, Andrew Rush, Lew Schnellmann, Carolann Small, Laura Stiltner, Linda Tabler, Linda Valder, Valeska Victoria, Rich Vokoun and Judith Zehner.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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