Exhibitions

Announcements of new shows and exhibitions.

In Progress – Sculpture Update

Jerry Ward Fourm1

On the immediate horizon is my only outdoor art show this year, Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff, in St. Joseph, MI.   I want to present for this show  very best of what I have to offer and therefore am working diligently to the purpose.  Faced with the challenge of producing at least five new works in the next six weeks has left me charged with enthusiasm and I find myself working late into the evening in fervor. and anticipation of what I might accomplish. The piece shown in the image here is titled “Fourm Factor” specifically to interplay with the words four, form and factor as the image itself does.  Form being the factor,  while four serves as the backdrop.  The shape embellishes on the four enhancing it’s value as an abstract form.  It all works together nicely as a package.  The reality of four dissolves, and the form becomes the only thing of value.  The subtleties of volume and shape come to the forefront in a residual way.

Making Fourm Factor

This piece is being carved from spaulted elm and the spault has created some magnificent nuanced changes in coloring to leave a complex underlying variance of tonal splendor.  In order to make this richness of tone show in the piece, I must first  painstakingly level all surfaces, removing bumps and shallows left over from the use of the more aggressive tools used in the development stages.  To do this I use a tool, shown here, known as a cabinet scraper.  Just a flat metal blade with a very sharp edge.  It works similar to a wood plane in removing wood in minute curly shavings. Using this in a crisscross manner, pulling it over the wood, produces the desired result.  A smooth level surface.  Wood never disappoints, it just keeps giving and giving.

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Wood Sculpture by Jerryward

ArtPrize at Amway Grand Plaza

Wood Sculpture by Jerryward

A Union in Stress

It gives me the greatest pleasure to announce that the ArtPrize Selection Committee for the Amway Grand Plaza has determined to include me among the artists who will be showing their work at that venue.  The Amway Grand Plaza is at the very center of downtown Grand Rapids, putting it at the center of ArtPrize itself. The Grand Plaza is a luxury hotel part of Marriott Hotels.  It has existed as a historic landmark of downtown Grand Rapids for over a hundred years.and dominates the skyline of the city.  Located on the corner of Pearl and Monroe streets, it occupies an entire block of the city.  With the Pearl Street bridge being a vital connection across the Grand River which divides the city east from west, it would be difficult to see any of ArtPrize without passing by this prominent hotel.as it stands right across the river from the equally imposing Gerald R. Ford museum.  I am excited to once again to be showing my sculpture at this great event.  ArtPrize begins Sept. 21 and runs until Oct. 9.  For more information follow this link: ArtCompetition

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Wood Sculpture by Jerryward

It’s Artprize time!

Uninon in StressTomorrow Artprize artists and venues will begin making connections.  Artprize is conducted in a novel way, quite different than most other art shows or festivals in case you were not aware.  The Artprize organizers do not select the art that goes into the event.  That privilege goes to the individual venues which sign up for the event.  In effect each venue, comprised of businesses, schools, banks, restaurants, etc, operate there own art show as part of Artprize.  Artprize itself orchestrates the connection between the artist and venue.and registers the connection into the event so all entries are eligible to win the prize money put up for the event..  You can find out more by going to this link: ARTPRIZE

This year I have decided to enter the same work I entered last year.  I made several mistakes when I entered last year that caused me to miss the chance to get the piece into the event.  The most glaring among however was when I got an invitation and affirmation from a host venue, I neglected to notify Artpize that I had a venue before the deadline.  As a result my entry, “A Union in Stress”, a piece I made especially for Artprize, never got to see the light of day,  I believe this work carries a profoundly strong message considering the political/social climate in the US and the world today, and I fervently want it to get an audience, so I am re-entering it this year.  You can read a description of it on my Artprize entry page at this link: Jerry Ward at Artprize.

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