Neighborhood ARTwalk brings neighbors together

Linda Shannon-Hills

The neighbors of SaddleBrooke Ranch enjoyed a wonderful Arizona day touring the many homes of the Artists of SaddleBrooke Ranch displaying some of their fantastic work during the second SaddleBrooke Ranch ARTwalk on Saturday afternoon, November 15. The ARTwalk is an open-studio tour where artists display and some sold their work from their home or studio. It is a great opportunity for residents to find some special gifts and additions to their homes. The ARTwalk also provides an avenue to meet more neighbors in our wonderful community.

Twenty five artists participated in the ARTwalk, with talents that ranged from oil and watercolor painting, jewelry and beading, gourd design, wood bowl turning, pottery, glazed ceramics, glass designs, paper crafting, pet and landscape photography and various fiber arts, which included needlepoint, crocheting, knitting, sewing, quilting and clothing designs. It was required that all items displayed must be made or created by a SaddleBrooke Ranch resident only. Many residents purchased gifts for family and friends or additions to their new homes.

Over a hundred residents toured, and many commented on how “wonderful” the artwork as well as “impressive,” “outstanding” and “amazing” were heard a lot. All would agree, SaddleBrooke Ranch has a talented group of artists.

Some artists have been doing their craft for many years while others are relative neophytes. All are very talented in their craft.

The following artists participated in this SBR ARTwalk:

Sharon Morey, watercolor painting; Bill Harrant, pottery and sculptures; Larry Richter, watercolor painting and colored pencil flowers; Ellyn Biggs, miniature replicas of real life; Cheri Alfrey, watercolor painting; Larry Strugala, woodworking/carving and wood turned bowls; Linda Strugala, jewelry, beads and chainmaille; Sharon Olivia Marchant, sewing embellishment, jewelry, bead and glass artist; Larry Marchant, fused glass art; Martha Sampson, jewelry, Kumihimo Japanese braiding technique; Raynelle Duhl, fiber arts, cross stitch;

Donna Norris, jewelry, beaded bracelets and necklaces, crochet, cross stitch; Lydia Reichard, jewelry, sewing, needlework, paper crafting; Linda Gorman, pet art portrait photography on canvas; Peter Brats, photography, water abstracts and landscape photo cards; Raeone Gilison, pencil drawings, color pencil drawings of symbolic spiritual content; Loretta Johnson, oil painting; Kerstin Seifert, sewing, custom garment sewing utilizing specialty fabrics; Carol Andrews, knitting sweaters, hats, purses, puppets and baby things; Bob Hills, nature photography on FotoSlates, canvas and duraplaq; Cheri Utsler, photography on canvas and paper craft cards; Pat Kanitz, watercolor painting, landscape and wildlife; Priscilla Meier, gourd design, painted, carved and wood burned gourds, metal sculpture; Alice Terry Memorial, oil painting; Cliff Terry, wood frames and cards.

Special thanks go out to Bob Johnson and Cliff Terry for volunteering their help with signs; Sally Carstens, Sandy Noble, Camille Hovmiller, Craig McHugh, Karen Rassmussen, Mary Hoover, Nancy Gallant and Ross Messer assisted artists during the ARTwalk; Alex Meece and Andrea Marchus for office assistance and ARTwalk director, Linda Shannon-Hills.

This event was promoted to only SaddleBrooke Ranch residents.