Ashland Art Works
Ashland Art Works may escape your notice, blending in with the residence along oak street at the edge of the Historic Railroad District. This is why those who know about it use the words “hidden” or “secret” when describing it. These descriptions are also full of words and admiration, even affection, so it will not be secret for long and you might as well know about it too.
It is an artists cooperative that has been slowly growing since 1995, when eight ceramic artists built a studio in an old carriage house on the bank of Ashland Creek, what is now Thrown Stone Pottery. Brad Roupp, Randy Warren and Brent Gorman remain from the original group. Over the span of 10 years, salvaged structures were brought in, carefully placed and lovingly renovated to form their village like environment, knitted together by flower gardens along pathways. Ceramic art ornaments the landscape along with clever construction in iron, steel and wood, indicating the presence of artists. The place has been evolving for so much of its life: it would be surprising if it were to stay the same for a whole year.
Among the structures you will find gallery spaces, studios, and now a meeting room ready for workshops and open to the art community. There is a deck overlooking the wooded creek with a cool breeze on a hot summer afternoon. In the spring and autumn the outdoor raku kiln might be fired up for the First Friday Art Walk for demonstrations.
The member artists contributed their opinions for this delightful place. Most of them concur on many of the attributes; one being that there is an enormous amount of talent concentrated here. They thrive on the “exchange of influence among colleagues,” painter Michael Gibson says. “It is the ambience and mix of historic dwellings and galleries along side Ashland Creek that ’gets me.’ I moved to Ashland five years ago from Bainbridge Island and was immediately taken with the dramatic landscapes. Ashland Art Works gave me a guest artist show during A Taste of Ashland festival in 2005. I joined the co-op and the participation with the gallery has helped with my own discipline.”
Many artists noted the boost that this cooperative has given their art practice through comradely and moral support. They look forward to the new directions in their creative process and support their fellow artists. “As a newcomer to the Rogue Valley,” Annette Trujillo, ceramic and lamp-work artist writes, “ I am finding the large group of artisans in southern Oregon to be very welcoming, nurturing and encouraging since my move to Ashland in June, 2005. Ashland Art Works is my newest ’family’ and I am very grateful to be a part of it!”
As the artists tend the galleries, they encounter art patrons and enjoy giving a more in-depth story behind their works. Ceramist Lorene Senesac writes, “Being a member of AAW helps balance the solitary nature of being an artist. I am always pleased to be able to personally talk to patrons about my art work as well.”
Elin Babcock, sculptor and jeweler, was glad to leave the isolation aspect of her creative process behind. “Membership in this art cooperative affords me the luxury of working, surrounded by many talented people. Conversations with AAW members have helped me formulate and verbalize much of the philosophy behind my art. I explore new artistic avenues in an atmosphere of safety and respect. The guests who come to our galleries appreciate the unique opportunity to meet the artist. They go home not only with a work of art, but also the insight and vision expressed by the artist. For me, that’s Ashland Art Works at its best.”
Marcia O’Rourke, sculpture and graphic designer, is pleased to witness as visitors “return often to visit or purchase art for home, office or as gifts. They like connecting with the artists, look forward to new work and to being there as member-artists grow and explore new forms. They proudly bring friends to this artist cooperative. Ashland’s hidden treasure...”
Being one of the founders of Ashland Art Works and experiencing its growth first hand, ceramic artist Randy Warren has come to realize that “what was once a dream has come to fruition. It has been quite an adventure, with the rewards being realized every time I set foot on the grounds. The energy and elevated level of awareness of the arts can be felt as one tours through the galleries and gardens. The restored cottages and tightly knit community of artists have preserved the richness of Ashland’s heritage. Being a native of Ashland, I find this to be very comforting. With the final phase our workshop space completed, the artists can now share their talents with the community. It truly is a haven for art and the artist.”
Any group of people working together finds that it takes intention of harmony in each group decision. Cheryl Kempner, ceramic artist, speaks as a pragmatist. “Being part of a cooperative offers and demands much: new ideas bounce from person to person, new skills are shared, words of support have helped me during periods of personal distress. But because we are a group, it also takes effort to process ideas and listen to various perspectives.”
For ceramist Brent Gorman, AAW is a sanctuary of sorts, “a community where the most important contribution to my work form my fellow members is their enthusiasm and encouragement. All this and the opportunity to play with mud and fire too!”
Donna Marie has been a Thrown Stone Potter for the last two and a half years. “It has been a life-long dream of mine to work in a cooperative environment and it was a natural evolution to join this group of working artists, whose dedication to the arts and community continues to amaze me.”
“There is no other place I know of where an artist can be surrounded by his peers and ask the important questions.” Nelson Davis is a wood sculptor. He feels, “To be put into an environment where artistic opinion is truly given from the heart is a godsend. I find myself unafraid to ask for a different view on a piece that has temporarily baffled me. Ideas that I have dismissed or put aside reemerge for consideration. Re-enforcement of the importance of artistic creation in continually nurtured in an environment of love and encouragement.”
Joy Light, textile designer, also enjoys the growth she felt. “Having been part of the co-op for three years, my creative work has grown from hobby to a full time occupation, expanding beyond wearable art into frame works for the wall.” Her painted silk reflects her inspiration from the garden setting. “the beauty of nature here is strong and present in Ashland Creek. I enjoy the way the various media play off each other in the four niche galleries at the Art Works.” She will be focusing on administrating a workshop series, which will attract artists, craftspersons and participants for around the country. See their website www.ashlandartworks.com.
Ashland Art Works harbors artists of diverse disciplines sharing a common appreciation of the place itself and each other. Michael Walsh, sculpture and teacher, speaks of each artist when he writes: “Above all it is a place for me to work. A beautiful studio; quiet, good light, surrounded by nature, within easy reach; other artists to laugh with, question with and hang out with. It’s a public place for everyone to visit, and on a frosty morning, or late at night, a worksite to come to, or a place to put out the lights and go home.
It is an artists cooperative that has been slowly growing since 1995, when eight ceramic artists built a studio in an old carriage house on the bank of Ashland Creek, what is now Thrown Stone Pottery. Brad Roupp, Randy Warren and Brent Gorman remain from the original group. Over the span of 10 years, salvaged structures were brought in, carefully placed and lovingly renovated to form their village like environment, knitted together by flower gardens along pathways. Ceramic art ornaments the landscape along with clever construction in iron, steel and wood, indicating the presence of artists. The place has been evolving for so much of its life: it would be surprising if it were to stay the same for a whole year.
Among the structures you will find gallery spaces, studios, and now a meeting room ready for workshops and open to the art community. There is a deck overlooking the wooded creek with a cool breeze on a hot summer afternoon. In the spring and autumn the outdoor raku kiln might be fired up for the First Friday Art Walk for demonstrations.
The member artists contributed their opinions for this delightful place. Most of them concur on many of the attributes; one being that there is an enormous amount of talent concentrated here. They thrive on the “exchange of influence among colleagues,” painter Michael Gibson says. “It is the ambience and mix of historic dwellings and galleries along side Ashland Creek that ’gets me.’ I moved to Ashland five years ago from Bainbridge Island and was immediately taken with the dramatic landscapes. Ashland Art Works gave me a guest artist show during A Taste of Ashland festival in 2005. I joined the co-op and the participation with the gallery has helped with my own discipline.”
Many artists noted the boost that this cooperative has given their art practice through comradely and moral support. They look forward to the new directions in their creative process and support their fellow artists. “As a newcomer to the Rogue Valley,” Annette Trujillo, ceramic and lamp-work artist writes, “ I am finding the large group of artisans in southern Oregon to be very welcoming, nurturing and encouraging since my move to Ashland in June, 2005. Ashland Art Works is my newest ’family’ and I am very grateful to be a part of it!”
As the artists tend the galleries, they encounter art patrons and enjoy giving a more in-depth story behind their works. Ceramist Lorene Senesac writes, “Being a member of AAW helps balance the solitary nature of being an artist. I am always pleased to be able to personally talk to patrons about my art work as well.”
Elin Babcock, sculptor and jeweler, was glad to leave the isolation aspect of her creative process behind. “Membership in this art cooperative affords me the luxury of working, surrounded by many talented people. Conversations with AAW members have helped me formulate and verbalize much of the philosophy behind my art. I explore new artistic avenues in an atmosphere of safety and respect. The guests who come to our galleries appreciate the unique opportunity to meet the artist. They go home not only with a work of art, but also the insight and vision expressed by the artist. For me, that’s Ashland Art Works at its best.”
Marcia O’Rourke, sculpture and graphic designer, is pleased to witness as visitors “return often to visit or purchase art for home, office or as gifts. They like connecting with the artists, look forward to new work and to being there as member-artists grow and explore new forms. They proudly bring friends to this artist cooperative. Ashland’s hidden treasure...”
Being one of the founders of Ashland Art Works and experiencing its growth first hand, ceramic artist Randy Warren has come to realize that “what was once a dream has come to fruition. It has been quite an adventure, with the rewards being realized every time I set foot on the grounds. The energy and elevated level of awareness of the arts can be felt as one tours through the galleries and gardens. The restored cottages and tightly knit community of artists have preserved the richness of Ashland’s heritage. Being a native of Ashland, I find this to be very comforting. With the final phase our workshop space completed, the artists can now share their talents with the community. It truly is a haven for art and the artist.”
Any group of people working together finds that it takes intention of harmony in each group decision. Cheryl Kempner, ceramic artist, speaks as a pragmatist. “Being part of a cooperative offers and demands much: new ideas bounce from person to person, new skills are shared, words of support have helped me during periods of personal distress. But because we are a group, it also takes effort to process ideas and listen to various perspectives.”
For ceramist Brent Gorman, AAW is a sanctuary of sorts, “a community where the most important contribution to my work form my fellow members is their enthusiasm and encouragement. All this and the opportunity to play with mud and fire too!”
Donna Marie has been a Thrown Stone Potter for the last two and a half years. “It has been a life-long dream of mine to work in a cooperative environment and it was a natural evolution to join this group of working artists, whose dedication to the arts and community continues to amaze me.”
“There is no other place I know of where an artist can be surrounded by his peers and ask the important questions.” Nelson Davis is a wood sculptor. He feels, “To be put into an environment where artistic opinion is truly given from the heart is a godsend. I find myself unafraid to ask for a different view on a piece that has temporarily baffled me. Ideas that I have dismissed or put aside reemerge for consideration. Re-enforcement of the importance of artistic creation in continually nurtured in an environment of love and encouragement.”
Joy Light, textile designer, also enjoys the growth she felt. “Having been part of the co-op for three years, my creative work has grown from hobby to a full time occupation, expanding beyond wearable art into frame works for the wall.” Her painted silk reflects her inspiration from the garden setting. “the beauty of nature here is strong and present in Ashland Creek. I enjoy the way the various media play off each other in the four niche galleries at the Art Works.” She will be focusing on administrating a workshop series, which will attract artists, craftspersons and participants for around the country. See their website www.ashlandartworks.com.
Ashland Art Works harbors artists of diverse disciplines sharing a common appreciation of the place itself and each other. Michael Walsh, sculpture and teacher, speaks of each artist when he writes: “Above all it is a place for me to work. A beautiful studio; quiet, good light, surrounded by nature, within easy reach; other artists to laugh with, question with and hang out with. It’s a public place for everyone to visit, and on a frosty morning, or late at night, a worksite to come to, or a place to put out the lights and go home.
posted by Verin @ 1:08 PM
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