Page 14 - the NOISE December 2013

14 • DECEMBER 2013 • the NOISE arts & news • thenoise.us
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While she enjoys working on her own paintings, Ms. Rogers has been teaching as well. “Since so many folks have expressed in- terest in learning about watercolor, I’ve been teaching small classes called, ‘Watercolor & Wine,’ which is a fun, no fear, and a relaxed approach to watercolor,” Ms. Rogers tells me.
“Everyone becomes so involved with painting that they forget the wine.”
Ms. Rogers has been traveling far to teach her skills, she tells me a little more, “One of my interests has been teaching art in Sa- sabe, Sonora, Mexico,” she says. ”We collect donations of school and art supplies and deliver them about once a month. The stu- dents are sweethearts and enjoy the art les- sons as they are not available in Secondaria. Here is where a picture is worth a thousand words. We have done pinch pots in clay, wa- tercolor, drawing and plan on portraits this year.”
The paintings of Roberta Rogers will be on display along with the photography of her son Brandon Oberhard at Brandy’s Restaurant, 1500 E. Cedar Ave. BrandysRestaurant.com
IT’S ELEMENTAL IS MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
by Natasha Reeves
Many local artists from all across North- ern Arizona were able to showcase their art at the fine crafts exhibition “It’s Elemental.” The exhibit had its opening reception on No- vember 16 at Coconino Center for the Arts, and runs until December 20. While the show
“It’s Elemental” has been running for twelve years, its concept originally began in the mid-80s under the name “Wood, Fiber, Clay,” and had a brief hiatus when the Center reor- ganized in 1999.
“It’s Elemental,” features 3D work by crafts people who are essentially “working with the elements.” There is a lot of diversity at the show and many pieces relate back to our
Southwestern environment. For example, Daniel C. Pierre’s Arizona Animals is a set of hand raised copper that displays javalina, ravens, rabbits, coyotes, and other native species.
Brenda Smith’s artwork won best in show for fiber. Her creation Strata 19: Tsegi Can- yon creatively displays the earthy colors of the Tsegi Canyon along with fluid turquoise shapes and colorful geometric forms resem- bling cliff dwellings.
One piece that stood out was Kyle Hutchi- son’s steel work, Sail Away. This piece won best in show in foundations and emanated a sort of dreamy feel, with a yellow sail boat floating out at sea near an isle, clouds and water appearing as in motion while contrast- ed with dynamic greens and browns.
John “JT” Tannous, executive director of Flagstaff Cultural Partners states the show is beneficial to both the community and the artist. “It’s about the community celebrating itself, the community can come and witness this incredible work and support the artist by purchasing their pieces. The artists get the opportunity to show their work in a profes- sional gallery and have their work raised up and put on a pedestal.” Mr. Tannous says he always sees the artist come to the table with new and exciting works of art every year.
One artist who has been a part of “It’s El- emental” since it was renamed and reopened is Cathi Borthwick, who shares her experi- ence of being involved in the show for so long. “After the show had been up and running for a few years, Joanne Tallarovic and Carolyn Batchelor, who were the com- mittee chairs at the time, decided to put to- gether a collection of work in a dining room setting,” said Ms. Borthwick. “The idea was to show the work in ‘It’s Elemental’ as beautiful and functional, that it could be placed and used in your home.” That particular show ended up with all of the artists talking and cooperating to create a beautiful dining
Northern Arizona’s preeminent watercolorist Roberta Rogers returns to Brandy’s this month.