Haworth Gallery ready to launch; Middle School mural unveiled; ‘Beaux Cadeaux’ in Idaho Falls …

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

By Kate Balog

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-As usual, the Art Association’s annual “Out of the Woods” silent auction was a flurry of social activity and festive chatter. Some folks were there for the lively conversation and people watching; others actually seemed to be there for the art.
Those who were there for both purposes discovered at 7:50 p.m. that they had just 10 minutes to down two more glasses of free wine, elbow through the crowd, and bid on one of the hundreds of paintings, photographs, sculptures, mobiles, pieces of jewelry, dresses and ceramics offered for auction.

There were a few bidding wars, but many terrific pieces were unfortunately left with no opening bids. If you left empty-handed, there are a few more opportunities to buy affordable original art this weekend: at the Haworth Gallery opening and reception in Victor, Idaho, and at the “Beaux Cadeaux” shopping fair at the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls.

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Back in February, the Planet reported that Ryan Haworth was looking for a space in Victor, Idaho, for his own foundry after his successful show at the Art Association, “Oils and Bronze.” Recently, he discovered an “old shack” and – with a bit of TLC and help from his family, friends and fiancée, Sununta – transformed it into a studio and showroom, ready for a soft launch on Friday.

After graduating from Jackson Hole High School and working for the Jackson Hole Guide illustrating comics, Haworth traveled to London to further his fine art practice. He came back home to work odd jobs while showing his art at local places like Mountunes and “Out of the Woods.” His then began an apprenticeship with British sculptor and family David Wynne. Wynne felt he was too old to take on an apprentice, but he referred Haworth to Simon Allyson, owner of Lockbund Sculpture Foundry near Oxford.

Allyson and his wife taught Haworth the process of lost-wax casting for six months Haworth returned to Oxford in 2006 with about seven sculptures produced by JHHS students in their ceramics class and bronzed them at the foundry. He brought back their bronzed creations and asked the students to write their own descriptions for the exhibit, and opened the well-received “Oils and Bronze” at the Center for the Arts last February.

A quick and dirty description of the lost-wax casting technique must suffice for now, but Haworth is willing to describe the complicated process in more detail in person at his gallery. The process has been used for thousands of years to produce objects in metal which could not be produced any other way, due to the complexity of their form.

It essentially permits anything that can be modeled in wax to be turned into metal. Wax patterns may be modeled by hand or cast into molds. Modern synthetic rubbers or wet plaster may be used for the molds. The wax coats the inside of a mold, and then the wax model is surrounded with a material that can withstand high temperatures of a kiln. The kiln bakes away the wax residue until it disappears, hence the “lost wax” name. Melted bronze is then poured into the mold, the mold is broken away, and the detailed metal is revealed.

Haworth’s molds can be seen at his gallery. It is a tough process, he says. “If you mess up one thing, you may lose three weeks of work. When a piece breaks, you have to rework the wax and dip it into the plaster again.”

Haworth switches between painting and sculpture “to avoid becoming stagnant.” He occasionally uses acrylic and watercolor, but finds that oil is his favorite.
“Oil paint has rich values, a lot more depth, and moves around the canvas better,” he said. “It’s like sculpture: I can create strokes with my hands and fingers.”
Ciao Gallery co-op alum and Victor resident Steven Glass joins Haworth on Friday, complementing Ryan’s oils with his mixed-media paintings.

Inspired by Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol, Marcel Duchamp, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Dadaist Kurt Schwitters, Glass works with spray paint, found objects, and recycled glass and wood. His signature glass block paintings are wonderful, original and affordable, and he promises to bring 13 new ones to the show.

Also showing on Friday is mixed-media painter and Full Circle Frame Works owner Rocky Vertone, and painter and professional snowboarder Bryan Iguchi. Furniture designer Jeff Grainger, and painters Michelle Casper and Benjamin Dettinburn will come on board in the future in time for the gallery’s formal opening, slated for the end of the year.

This week’s party is set for 6-10 p.m. on Friday at 140 S. Main St., across from Wildlife Pizza in Victor, Idaho. Feel free to call Haworth directly at (307) 413-6237 with inquiries.

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“I’ll probably retire soon. I’ve almost reached the magic number of 85 – you know, your age plus the amount of years you’ve been teaching.”

Wendy Rominger has taught art in Jackson Hole for 25 years. And as for her age – well, you can do the math. Her retirement will be quite a loss for the middle school. This energetic, hands-on teacher is the creator of progressive middle school programs like the digital arts program, which teaches kids about digital design and production.

For her latest project, she collaborated with the Jackson Hole Middle School art department and the National Museum of Wildlife’s art education department, working with 78 sixth-graders to complete an enormous mural in their school’s multipurpose room.

The scene of Colter Bay and Jackson Lake at dusk was produced over three weeks from an 8-by-10 photograph. The canvas was entirely washed in blue, then the mountains, water, clouds and sky were added by the students in moody indigo-toned acrylics.

Now that the mural is finished Rominger is focused on submitting entries to the River of Words, a national contest that serves to educate students on water issues. One such hot spot is the Louisiana wetlands championed by Rhea Gary.

The science program used to be in charge of this competition, but parents complained there was too much art in the science classes. So now the art department has taken it over. With the help of pARTners, an organization that funds artists to come to schools to work with teachers and students, Rominger plans to submit a winning entry. This year poet Matt Daly will help the students with poetry, editing, and their submissions.
Call Jackson Hole Middle School at 733-4234 for more information on the mural, River of Words or pARTners.

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For many, off-season means 2-for-1 deals at restaurants, no lines at Pearl Street Bagels, and a shopping trip to Idaho Falls.

This weekend, be sure to put that last one on your list and visit the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho for its inaugural “Beaux Cadeaux,” a three-day shopping extravaganza that brings together some of the finest artisans in the area and gives shoppers an opportunity to buy hand-made gifts for the holidays.

Among those participating this year is Cathy Blust, an Oregon native who moved to Firth, Idaho, about four years ago. Using homegrown fruits and vegetables from her own garden, Blust makes small batches of gourmet jellies, appetizers spreads and chutneys to ensure freshness.

Also lining the walls of the museum will be quilts produced by Artists with a Common Thread. Original affordable artwork by museum artists will be for sale in the Studio Gallery for $200 and under.

Beaux Cadeaux runs 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursday, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Lunch will be served 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday. The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho is located at 300 S. Capital Ave. in Idaho Falls. For more information, call (307) 524-7777 or visit www.TheArtMuseum.org.

Courtesy Ryan Haworth
“Commanding The Cosmos: Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus” by Ryan Haworth.

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Haworth Gallery ready to launch; Middle School mural unveiled; ‘Beaux Cadeaux’ in Idaho Falls … | Planet JH News Article: Arts Beat

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