Artists of the Superstitions
Gallery Exhibit October, 2009

      November 7 and 8 visitors will descend upon Gold Canyon and Apache Junction on a self-guided tour, following maps to each of two dozen private homes -- all of them within a 15-minute drive of each other and open both weekend days for the annual Artists of the Superstitions studio tour. The weekend event is free, and showcases works by nearly 50 of the region's most talented artists, expressing their unique visions in a variety of media, with each home hosting a few different artists. Want a "sneak preview" of some artists you'll meet on the Nov. 7-8 tour? During October the visitor center gallery at Boyce Thompson Arboretum has photography and paintings by 15 of the featured artists -- nearly one-third of the diverse collaborative who comprise the Artists of the Superstitions (AOTS).

      AOTS was formed in 2007 as an loose-knit gathering of artists across a spectrum of media (painting, sculpture, fabric arts, ceramics and more) who wanted to to share their art, their techniques and background. Membership quickly grew as more artists from the community learned of the networking group, and in just two years AOTS has become widely acknowledged as the premier arts promotion collaborative of the Superstition Mountain region.

    One of the initial goal was to maintain the popular SALT (Superstition Area Land Trust) Studio Tour -- an innovative autumn art tour event they knew would be sorely missed after its cancellation in 2007. Taking the reins and continuing this event with many of the same artists and host houses was a success for both the participating artists and the visitors who attended to explore Gold Canyon and Apache Junction neighborhoods and meet the creative artists who live in this area -- making this a popular annual event held the first weekend each November. AOTS leaders have forged ahead with additional events showcasing the members, such as two annual member's only art shows held the last week of November and again on Palm Sunday -- both are arranged in the Big White Tent at the Gold Canyon Golf Resort on King's Ranch Road. These three distinctly different dates and venues provide the member artists an opportunity to show and sell their works, which range from woodwork to jewelry, gourds, glass, pottery, photography and painting.

         According to exhibit coordinator Deborah A. Lee, "the group's name, 'Artists of the Superstitions,' was selected to recognize the geographical area, this mountain range is a point of reference for where we all live -- but the Superstitions and this part of Arizona are also represented artistically in many of our paintings and photography. Several of the artists who are in the October show have had the opportunity to present solo exhibitions at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, but this is the first time we have come together as a group to show our unique and beautiful art at BTA. With the Arboretum so close many of us are annual members -- we come for the day to find inspiration for our work, to have lunch in the picnic area, or to enjoy the different events or guided tours each month. We hope that viewers who take some time to enjoy our gallery exhibition will see the flowers, birds, and mountain scenes that each of us incorporates into our art."

     Artists exhibiting works here during the October show include Deborah A. Lee (Watercolor), oil paintings by Sharon Sieben, photography by Barbara Cox, acrylics by Denise Landis, watercolor and pastel works by Marilyn Barton; watercolors by Dee Lane, etching and oil by Sherry Clouse, collage and acrylic by BJ Ludwig, photography by Eva Morgan, watercolor by Nan Lawrence, photography by Barbara Wilson, watercolor by Mollie Lyon, acrylics by Scott Taylor, ceramic masks by Kathy Moss and also works in acrylic, pen and ink by Julie Stubbs.

This exhibit remains in the Visitor Center Gallery through October 31. Works seen on this page include "Just Rusting", "Monument Valley", "Cactus Garden, (watercolor) "Fire Over Texas", "Sunset Blooms", "My Canvas", (photography) "Scrub Junipers", Sagraro Flowers", (acrylic) "Agave" (pen & ink), "Ready to Dance", (ceramic) "Flamenco Dancers", (oil).
Original works are priced from $200 - $2,000, prints from $100 - $175. To order prints or contact an artist email artistsofthesuperstitions@gmail.com


           

      Boyce Thompson Arboretum is at highway 60 milepost #223 near the historic copper mining town of Superior, a drive of about 45 minutes due East of Mesa. During September visitors are admitted daily from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., and the Arboretum closes at 5:00 p.m. (during Spring and Summer months the schedule is daily from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) New exhibits begin each month and may be seen daily during business hours; the Arboretum is an Arizona State Park and daily admission must be paid to enter the Visitor Center where our gallery is found. Admission is $7.50 for adults and $3 for ages 5-12. Annual memberships at the Arboretum begin at $45, and include a year's access, guest passes for your friends and family, along with many other benefits. A membership may be purchased in the gift shop on the day of your visit. To review other recent gallery shows from...


Marilyn Barton, September, 2009
Gila Community College, July-August, 2009
Margie Porter, June- July, 2009
Deborah A. Lee May, 2009
Mesa Arts League April, 2009
Bud Heiss March, 2009
Laurent Baig February, 2009
Timm Chapman January, 2009
Paul Kinslow December, 2008
Maggie Leef November 2008
Sharon Sieben October 2008
Nicole Royse September 2008
Gila Community College Art July-August 2008
Judy Bottler Photography May 2008
Bob Estrin Photography April 2008
Mary Isham Watercolors March 2008
Susan Strom and Cathy Franklin Lightning Photography February, 2008
Arizona State Parks Plein Air Paintings January, 2008
Carolyn Gray & Connie Thomas December, 2007
Jean Sullivan November, 2007 Sue Cullumber October, 2007
Adriane Grimaldi September, 2007
Pima College print-making students July-August, 2007
Mesa Arts League June-July, 2007
Fred Charlton May, 2007
Paul Mudersbach March-April, 2007
Linda Kaiser February, 2007
Edith Kreueger-Nye December, 2006 - January, 2007
Cindy Carrillo October-November, 2006
Bob Rice September, 2006
Bud Heiss July-August, 2006
Mesa Arts League June-July, 2006
Sandy Tracey April-May, 2006
CJ Rider March, 2006
Jessica Green February, 2006
Steve Davidson January, 2006
Don & Carole Schupp December, 2005
Carolyn Gray November, 2005
Martha Burgess October, 2005
Boeing Photographers September, 2005
Lightning Lady Susan Strom July/August, 2005
Mesa Arts League June/July, 2005
Jeanette Bronson May, 2005
Tom Stanley April, 2005
Kathy McClure February-March, 2005
Pam Smyth January, 2005
Tina Faust December, 2004