Page 23 - The Noise September 2016

WiTh niKKi chArnSTrOM
WINGS OF FANTASY
Dreams of soaring through the air fill the wildest imaginations of photogra- pher, Andrea J. sharon as she stills the wingspans of birds and butterflies in her latest series “Flights of Fancy.” Her images reflect the splendor of inter- acting with the natural world and the magnificence of the color, design and diversity of each species.
Based in Santa Fe, the photographer spent 32 years with the national Park service. As a field photographer docu- menting for scientific purposes, this opportunity furthered her abilities and widened her perspective to the possi- bilities of the art. She now spends her time traveling, consulting on interna- tional preservation projects, instructing
photography workshops, and focusing on her personal artistic endeavors. Essentially a self-taught photographer, she seeks to involve herself in courses and workshops regularly to keep her skills current. As of late, her work has expanded into the realm of mixed media and encaustic medium (bee’s wax and tree resin), in
an effort to create one-of-a-kind artwork.
“The goal of my work is to awaken a sense of wonder in the viewer, fostering
appreciation and ultimately preservation of our environment,” Ms. Sharon explains. “Flights of Fancy” will be on display throughout the month of September at west of the Moon Gallery, 14 North San Francisco Street, Flagstaff. For more information on the gallery visit WestOfTheMoonGallery.com. To learn more about Ms. Sharon
A NEW LOOK AT THE RAVEN
“A New Look,” the new exhibit at The raven café, opens Monday, September 12 and runs through Sunday, October 16, featuring the work of Dana cohn’s stu- dents, many of whom will be present for a Meet the Artists re- ception on Wednes- day, September 14, from 5-7pm.
Betsy Dally and Maria Lynam are the art directors for the Raven Café and ar- range for a variety of art to be exhibited in the main restaurant space. They both have
taken drawing, painting, printmaking, and digital arts at Yavapai College; in fact, they met in a drawing class.
“We are bringing a cross section of work from artists from the tri-city area. So many of our friends and acquaintances have started their careers at the local col- leges. Both Yavapai College and Prescott College are fortunate in having inspired in- structors. Dana Cohn teaches painting at both institutions and we thought it would be a good introduction to the community to show them what can be achieved,” says Ms. Lynam.
Adds Ms. Dally: “Once we decided on a show featuring the art inspired by Dana Cohn’s painting classes, we selected work that includes oils, acrylic, watercolor and pastel. It is from students who are in their teens to those whose interest in art blos- somed in retirement.”
Emma Fenton, who painted The Missing Sock, is a part-time undergraduate stu- dent at Yavapai. This is the second semester she has taken painting. She states that she took Mr. Cohn’s class to “experiment and to see if I could develop my skill. But I can honestly say I would not have continued painting, I know I would have given it up by now, if it hadn’t been for Dana’s constant encouragement and the feedback in his class.”
cappi comba, who has two works in the exhibit, is a retired psychologist and Expressive Art Therapist. She explains, “I practiced psychotherapy for over 35 years, but I have always wanted to be a really fine painter. I have taken Dana Cohn’s paint- ing class a number of times because I find his style of teaching to be very beneficial to me. I learn something new in each class and I find him positive and supportive yet able to give me objective criticism and to nudge me along to greater excellence in my work.”
Billly rose graduated from Yavapai two years ago and in May he graduated from ASU’s Herberger Institute with a BFA in Printmaking. He explains, “I took Dana’s painting class for two semesters in the 2013-2014 school year. There are too many reasons to say why Dana was an inspiration in my continued art education, but if you have ever experienced his stare that he does when he is really considering some- thing, especially a piece of art (visual, literature, audio, whatever), you probably get the unquantifiable gaping importance of art.”
visit AndreaJSharon.net.
BOWL FOR BOWL
When local Prescott artisans and chefs join together with one vision, an event to benefit the hungry becomes a reality with the 19th Annual Empty Bowls Event. Established by the non- profit organization Imagine/render Group, this worldwide event is de- signed to increase awareness, under- standing and promote action on the complex issues of food security.
Organized at nearly no cost, dona- tions from community artists, restau- rants and local businesses enable the Prescott Unitarian Universalist Fel- lowship and Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist congregation to spon- sor this outreach. Nearly 700 bowls are
crafted by ceramists of the region, including Heath & cathy Krieger, Deanne Brew- ster, David McDonald, the Yavapai college ceramic & Art Department, Prescott Area wood Turners, and many more make this event possible.
For a $15 donation, select a soup bowl, savor two helpings of gourmet soup pre- pared by over a dozen restaurants and chefs of the area. Gather at courthouse square for an afternoon of music, community, artistic appreciation and hunger awareness September 11 from 11AM-2PM.
MArie GeArhArT
23 • {www.thenoise.us} SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE BEST OF ARIZONA | the Nöísẽ