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Arts in Jerome
By Roger Naylor
Jerome is many things but convenient isn’t one of them. The former mining town clings to the crumbling shoulder of Cleopatra Hill along a twisted, tortured highway a mile in the air.
No one, not even artists, end up in Jerome by accident. They are drawn there. It’s not surprising when you see views that stretch forever and light that always seems slanted—like everything else in town—adding warmth and depth to all it touches. You can spend a lifetime trying to capture that light, to get a handle on that scarred landscape, to understand what the ghosts are whispering. And that’s exactly what dozens of artistic souls do with their days.
Many communities boast galleries displaying the work of artisans living three time zones away. Walk into any gallery in Jerome and chances are the person who greets you is the one whose work adorns the walls. Mining copper gave birth to Jerome; mining the creative spirit keeps the town thriving.
Jerome Art Walk began in 2006 and almost immediately became one of Arizona’s premier getaways for art lovers and collectors alike. They come for the quality and diversity of the work and for the delicious charm of Jerome bathed in twilight. The Art Walk takes place the first Saturday of every month from 5:00-8:00 p.m. There’s plenty of parking and a free shuttle transports visitors to the dozens of participating studios and galleries. Click here for more information or call Donna at (928) 649-2277.
Here are just a few of Jerome’s outstanding galleries and studios.
Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery – Pick a medium, any medium—paper, wood, fiber, paint, glass, jewelry, whatever—and you can rest assured that one of the members of this co-op has mastered it. The rambling space is manned and managed by an eclectic group of 30-plus artists. Regular exhibitions are a highlight of Jerome’s artistic and social scene. 502 Main St., (928) 639-4276, jeromeartistscoop.com
Gallery 527 – Owner Donna Chesler serves as president of the wildly successful Jerome Art Walk and was one of the founders. Which should give you a sense of the vision and appreciation of diverse styles that guides this gorgeous gallery. You’ll find photography, painting, ceramics, fused glass and jewelry from top regional artists housed in a lovingly-restored 100-year old building. Don’t miss the outdoor sculpture garden. 527 Main St., (928) 649-2277, gallery527jerome.com
Made in Jerome Pottery – When you absolutely need to take a little hunk of Jerome with you, grab some of the beautiful stoneware from this studio and showroom. Every piece is made using native clay, dug from Mingus Mountain, then after aging, hand-formed on foot-driven potter’s wheels. The resulting plates, vases, bowls, pitchers and cups are beautiful and functional. 103 Main St., (928) 634-2962, madeinjerome.com
Nellie Bly – Learning that Nellie Bly is the largest kaleidoscope gallery in the world might come as a shock. Yet after spending time in Jerome you realize that whimsical kaleidoscopes and the slightly skewed, joyful little sidehill burg called Jerome are indeed a perfect match. Not to be mistaken with the plastic kid’s toy, these are handcrafted elegant glass tubes that somehow contain the wonders of the cosmos. 136 Main St., (928) 634-0255, nellieblyscopes.com
The Fool on the Hill – Local designer Christy Fisher puts the “fun” in funky with her wearable art, jewelry and accessories. For years Fisher worked in the fashion industry, designing for rock bands like Derek and the Dominoes and Frank Zappa. Innovative technique combined with a flair for the dramatic still infuses her work. She designs stuff that makes you smile. And that never goes out of style. 507B Main St., (928) 649-0334, thefoolonthehill.com
Raku Gallery – The work in this gallery has to be electrifying, otherwise it wouldn’t get a second look. Soon as you walk in, a lavish, sweeping view pulls you to the back. There, a wall of windows allows the entire northern portion of the state to pour through. Stand for awhile and soak it in, then check out the vibrant collection that includes paintings, ceramics, sculpture and furniture. Don’t be surprised if you become so engrossed in the art you forget to glance out the window again. 250 Hull Ave., (928) 639-0239, rakugallery.net
Old Jerome High School – Instead of chalkboards filled with fractions and drowsy students, this stately cluster of buildings at the base of town houses a range of galleries and studios. High ceilings and big window with light streaming in, adds a nice bit of drama to the paintings, sculptures, photography and hand-dyed silks as you wander between studios. Somewhere the spirits of underappreciated art teachers are smiling. (928) 821-3993
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