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James Cowlin-Desert Spring – Color photographic print of spring in the desert in Saguaro National Park
Nearly 40 artists and artisans will present their works at home studios, historic ranches, and group venues for the annual Oracle Studio Tour, set for Saturday and Sunday, May 4-5. Seventeen locations throughout this picturesque foothills community northeast of Tucson will greet visitors from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. Admission is free at all locations.
Visitors are invited to stop first at the Gallery Welcome Center, 1880 W. American Ave., to view work by all participating artists and pick up a self-guiding map brochure which contains full artist information and notes about special demonstrations. The brochure, which also lists local restaurants, can be downloaded in advance at www.oraclestudiotour.com.
Professional art works and fine crafts — from contemporary to traditional, functional to whimsical — are for sale. Visitors will find wall art in oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, and encaustic; plus photographs and prints. Jewelry selections feature a variety of styles using semi-precious stones, beads, sterling and other metals.
Wood arts are represented with painted furniture, clocks, lamps, and boxes. Pottery, glass, ceramic, and clay artisans are showing new creations, as are fabric and papier mache devotees. Sculpture art, gourd art, artists’ books and cards, and rammed earth further show the imaginative diversity of Oracle’s artists.
Demonstrations will include pastel drawing techniques, how to make an “instant book”, turning a green log, and blacksmithing techniques.
In addition to artists who are group-sponsored at Rancho Linda Vista and My Cousins Closet Shop, the following are participating:
Val Bembenek, Quentin Branch, Alicia Bristow, Jill Caid, Barbara Kemp Cowlin, Jim Cowlin, Diana Creighton, Bette Jean Cundiff, Deborah Currier, David Flynn, Pat Hardin, Christopher Holleman, Sharon Holnback, Dan Johnson, Belinda Kirkpatrick, Jack LouDon, Christopher Lucic, Elizabeth Manfredi, Karen Medley, Diana Mueller, Glennda Neff, Frank Palazzolo, Jean Robinson, Elvia Schwenke, Carolann Small, Laura Stiltner, Valeska Victoria, Rich Vokoun, Risa Waldt, Judith Walsh, Dawn Weiss, Vonnie West, and Laurel Wilson.
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