<![CDATA[AZ HANDMADE AND FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN GALLERIES

<![CDATA[AZ HANDMADE AND FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN GALLERIES - News & Events]]>Sat, 14 Mar 2026 21:33:02 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[October Events and News]]>Thu, 26 Sep 2024 20:58:30 GMThttps://www.azhandmade.com/news--events/august-events-and-news

The Pescatarian by Sky Black

We're so excited to feature painter and muralist, Sky Black for the month of October! Fascinated from a young age by the idea that anything is possible when you're a creator, his work is both highly technical and wildly imaginative. Never boxed in by a single theme or subject, his paintings cover a huge range - from fantastical scenes to people made of butterflies to hyper-realistic landscapes.

Born and raised in Flagstaff, Sky has been a professional artist for nearly 15 years. In 2016 he was hired to paint a mural in Germany and three years later he was asked to paint another in Switzerland. He has brought back inspiration from travels around Europe, and has also studied under local legends like Joe Sorren and Shonto Begay. Sky attributes much of his success to his hard work and listening to the advice of other professional artists.

"It is always my goal to challenge the viewer's perception of reality."
-Sky Black

Bird of Prey by Sky Black

Sky will be at ArtWalk on Friday, October 4th from 6:00-8:30pm with a show of original paintings and prints of his beloved older work. Jeannette Moore will be playing flute - come join us and enjoy a beautiful autumn evening downtown! You can also purchase a selection of Sky's work in the online store.

Moon Balls are back!

George Averbeck is once again making his Lunar Legacy ornaments (also affectionately called Moon Balls). He first made these to commemorate the fifty year anniversary of the Moon Landing, and he's bringing them back by popular demand. Starting in October, you'll be able to find them at Arizona Handmade Gallery and they will also be available through the Starry Skies Gift Shop at Lowell Observatory.

You can also order one online, but note that it won't ship until early October.
George made a moon ball on TV once! Watch it here on this segment of Seeing the USA with Brandy Yanchyk!

New Julie Williams Print
We wanted to share Julie's newest reduction woodcut. She told us, "There are 19 passes of color including 7 blend rolls (gradients)." The outcome is stunning! There are only 14 prints in this beautiful edition.

One Thread by Julie Williams

Sneak Peek
Next month we'll be featuring the steel jewelry and ceramic art of the multi-talented Sarah Harms. Mark your calendars for November 1st to meet Sarah!

Psst! If you subscribe to our newsletter you'll get these updates straight to your inbox! Signup is on the right-hand side of this page and on the homepage.

]]><![CDATA[BYOB Signup Is Open!]]>Thu, 12 Sep 2024 14:54:06 GMThttps://www.azhandmade.com/news--events/byob-signup-is-open

Blow Your Own Ball (BYOB)!
This is your chance to give glass blowing a whirl! In this annual event you blow your own glass ornament under the expert guidance of artist, George Averbeck. Sessions this year will take place on: November 8th, 9th, 15th and 16th as well as the 22nd of November

You'll select a 15-minute slot on one of those days to blow your ornament.
It costs $38 per ornament and you can pay over the phone or in-person at the gallery. You must pay when you sign up.
Ornaments need to be cooled slowly in a kiln and will be available for pickup the following day at the gallery.

Signup will open on Wednesday, September 24th and you can book your session by calling 928-779-3790 or coming into the gallery.

George is also open to orders again. If you want to gift his glass for the holidays, now is the time to start thinking about it - the earlier you get your order in the better.

You can shop handmade art from anywhere through our online store! Don't see what you're looking for? Call us at 928-779-3790 and we'll send you pictures of items in stock and process your order over the phone.

Sending love from AZ Handmade Gallery!
Psst! If you subscribe to our newsletter you'll get these updates straight to your inbox! Signup is on the right-hand side of this page and on the homepage.

]]><![CDATA[Dark Skies Show]]>Fri, 30 Aug 2024 18:25:37 GMThttps://www.azhandmade.com/news--events/dark-skies-show

Blown Glass Dark Skies Bowl by George Averbeck

In September we'll be participating in the wider Dark Skies Downtown event by featuring work from artists across the gallery that explores how Northern Arizona's dark nights inspire their art. George Averbeck will have his classic blown glass Dark Sky pieces, our painters have brought fantastically different perspectives, Sarah Harms has new Dark Skies ceramics, and that's just the start!

The show will open on Friday, September 6th during ArtWalk starting at 6:00pm. Emma Gardner will be painting live while Brian Sanders and Chase Coleman play moon-inspired classic songs. Come in to see how artists of all different mediums have interpreted the night!

We're always excited to celebrate that Flagstaff is the First International Dark Skies city. It's known for its impressive nightscapes with the Milky Way visible to the naked eye, but it isn't by chance that we can see the stars so clearly. It's because of the hard work of a small but dedicated group of individuals: The Dark Skies Coalition. They have labored for years to keep light pollution in the city of Flagstaff low so that astronomers at Lowell Observatory, local residents, and visitors can all enjoy and learn from clear night skies.

"Desert Nocturne" by Fred Calleri

"Night Prowl" by Elaine Dillingham

The Coalition is hosting Celebration of the Night events throughout September and October including Dark Skies Downtown, telescope viewings, talks with astronomers, the Star Party at Buffalo Park, and lots more! To learn about the Celebration of the Night and the Coalition, check out their site!

You can also read two articles in Flagstaff Business News about how artists are part of the the Celebration, including an interview with our very own George and Holly Averbeck and all about Dark Skies Downtown.

Dark Skies ceramic cups by Sarah Harms

Art in Recovery
We're so happy to share this article about Rob Lewis! Rob is George Averbeck's assistant in the glass studio and also helps with shipping at the gallery. A very successful graduate of the Back2Basics Adventure Recovery program, he is helping others overcome their addiction and growing a following as a glass artist in his own right. Check out his story here! You can find Rob's glass for sale at the gallery.

Jewelry Trunk Show
Nancy Foo's monthly Trunk Show will be on Saturday, September 14th. Come by from 11:00am-3:00pm to meet Nancy and see gorgeous new pieces - like these Chrysocolla in Gray Quartz earrings!

Sneak Peek
Our featured artist in October will be Sky Black! Put October 4th on your calendar when he'll be at the gallery for ArtWalk! Here's one of his contributions to the Dark Skies show called "Night Launch."

]]><![CDATA[August Artist News and Events]]>Sat, 27 Jul 2024 00:40:20 GMThttps://www.azhandmade.com/news--events/august-artist-news-and-events

"The Harvey Girls" by Fred Calleri

We're excited to feature Fred Calleri in August! He will be painting live at the gallery during ArtWalk on Friday, August 2nd from 6:00-8:30pm alongside music by the duo Wild Irish Fiddle.

Many may be familiar with Fred either artistically or professionally from his past years in Flagstaff. In 2001, at the age of 37, he moved to town with the goal of starting a career as a painter. He describes this move as basically being re-born. He took up residence in a cabin on the Stilley Ranch, located on a hundred acre property across the street from the Museum of Northern Arizona.

"Butterfly Whorls"

"Mary Colton"

Working at the Arizona Daily Sun for 8 years, Fred did graphic design and illustration for Flagstaff Live Magazine, Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine, and the Daily Sun Newspaper. Every free moment was used for painting, getting to know the Flagstaff scene, and camping and hiking the incredible outdoors of the southwest. His familiarity with, and love for, Northern Arizona's unique landscape and history is immediately recognizable from the paintings in his show, which feature portraits of Northern Arizona icons such as Mary Colter, John Wesley Powell, and the Harvey Girls.

"Fred Harvey Trading Company" by Fred Calleri

Fred is known for imagery ranging from historical to vintage to nostalgic. The process of creation often starts with a concept or a story and evolves into a larger theme. He has become an artist that tries to balance distortion of the figure with a representational style, and his unique approach has earned him gallery representation and collectors across the country.

Fred has been away from Flagstaff for a while but is excited to be coming back. Put August 2nd on your calendar! You can see his available originals and prints through our Online Store and of course, at the gallery in downtown Flagstaff.

"Thy Kingdom Come" by Sky Black

New Artists!
We're pleased to welcome Sky Black to the gallery! A truly local artist, Sky was born in Flagstaff and has been painting professionally for almost 15 years. He is well known for his murals - especially the epic 4,500 square foot mural on the side of the Orpheum that he teamed up with the Mural Mice to paint.

We currently carry an array of Sky's prints, but beginning in August we will also have originals in the gallery. When you're in during ArtWalk be sure to check out his paintings, and in the meantime you can shop his prints.

We are also happy to be showing the work of Teresa Michael Expressions! Teresa is both a practicing doctor of chiropractic for more than 40 years in Flagstaff, and a professional artist with an eye for detail and precision.

She is inspired by travels around the world, fascinated with natural structure, texture, vivid color, abstract form, and the light that nature displays which is incorporated in her glass fusion pieces.

Jewelry Trunk Show

Nancy Foo will be holding a Trunk Show on Saturday, August 10th! Come by from 11:00am-3:00pm to meet Nancy and see what beautiful, new creations have been coming out of her studio!

Sneak Peek
In September we'll be holding a gallery-wide show all about celebrating Northern Arizona's incredible dark skies and how they spark our imagination.

"Endless Night of Inspiration" by Daniel Josley

]]><![CDATA[July Artist Events]]>Sat, 29 Jun 2024 22:12:40 GMThttps://www.azhandmade.com/news--events/july-artist-events

For the month of July we're featuring Flagstaff painter, David Lash! He is most known for combining his highly detailed wildlife portraits with abstract or surreal backgrounds that invoke introspection about the natural world and our place within it. But David's broad skill-set and experimentation over decades has given him artistic dexterity: he paints just as beautiful expansive landscapes and has recently been pushing the bounds of his fantastical imagery.

A long-time conservationist, David has always used art as a bridge to help the viewer understand and appreciate the delicate ecosystems of the southwest. Although he admires the animals and landscapes that are his subjects, he holds no naïve nostalgia for his beloved places. The beauty of the wilderness, as represented in his works, is in its unpredictable, mercurial, and unharnessed nature that has the power to remind us of these forces within our own psyche. Our rhythms become apparent when we are in touch with the natural world, in its fertile creativity and ultimate compassion, and in its decay, death, and indifference. David's paintings express such fundamental experiences through color, representations of seasons, time, and space.

David will be painting live in the gallery during ArtWalk on Friday, July 5th from 6:00-8:30pm. As a retired teacher, he's a fantastic educator - whether about art or environmentalism. Come by to meet this engaging artist! Fellow artist, Bryan Cooperrider, and Jim DeBusk of the band Streetwise, will be playing live music and there will be events all around downtown!

Check out the ArtWalk map for more details and Downtown Flagstaff for all the happenings July 4th weekend - including Art in the Park!

Jewelry Trunk Show
Nancy Foo will be holding a trunk show from 12:00-4:00pm on Saturday, July 6th. She'll have her most recent additions to her Explore the Wild collection, and of course lots of hand-cut stone jewelry!

Sneak Peek
In August we'll be featuring Fred Calleri and he'll be painting at the ArtWalk on August 2nd. Put it on your calendar now!

]]><![CDATA[Joe Sorren at ArtWalk!]]>Mon, 03 Jun 2024 02:13:22 GMThttps://www.azhandmade.com/news--events/joe-sorren-at-artwalkWe're excited to feature world-renowned artist, Joe Sorren, for the month of June. He will be in the gallery painting during ArtWalk on Friday, June 7th from 6:00-8:30pm. In addition, he'll be releasing four brand new prints!

"Caterina" by Joe Sorren

Even if you're unfamiliar with Joe, you've likely seen his work. He painted the iconic mural on the side of the Old Town Shops, lovingly called the "The Veridic Gardens of Effie LeRoux." Born in Chicago, he grew up in Flagstaff and earned his BFA from Northern Arizona University. From there he has lived and shown around the world, had his work featured in publications like the New Yorker, Time, and Rolling Stone, and has become a leader of the American Pop-Surrealism movement.

We all know Flagstaff is a special place, though, and Joe returned to live and create in our beautiful mountain town. He currently has a studio downtown and that's where he painted the collection shown in his March 2024 exhibition, Between the Wrinkles, at Dorothy Circus Gallery in London. You might already be familiar with one of those paintings - this year's Hullabaloo poster features "Morning has Broken." And at ArtWalk on June 7th, we'll be releasing two prints from Between the Wrinkles - "Caterina" and "Portrait of Tom Waits."

Joe has brought two older paintings into the world as prints, as well. One of them is a crowd favorite - The Ramones! To see the other print, you'll have to come to the gallery. We hope you'll join us Friday evening to meet Joe and watch the unique way he layers paint to capture the fleeting emotions we all try so hard to hold onto.

Jewelry Trunk Show

Nancy Foo will be holding a trunk show from 12:00-4:00pm on Saturday, June 15th. She's been adding to her stamped and chased Explore the Wild collection, and her shows are the best time to see a wide selection of her hand-cut stone jewelry, like these Green Mountain Jade earrings. Come by to say hello to Nancy and see what she's been making!

]]><![CDATA[May Artist Events]]>Tue, 30 Apr 2024 21:22:51 GMThttps://www.azhandmade.com/news--events/may-artist-events

"Ancient One" Sterling Silver Necklace by Nancy Foo

From the Earth with Heart
Many of you know Nancy Foo, our featured artist for May, as a staff member at AZ Handmade Gallery, but she's also the woman behind Canyon Flower Jewelry. A versatile artist, she makes both delicate, mixed-metal jewelry and bold, hand-cut stone pieces which highlight each stone's unique color profile and matrix.

Having been an artist for decades, Nancy loves to try new things. Her most recent collection, Explore the Wild, is a line of stamped jewelry inspired by the forests of northern Arizona. That's where Nancy feels most at home; she spends hours and hours on the trails of the San Francisco Peaks, accompanied by her energetic pup, Bella.

"I design jewelry for the spirited wanderer, and for you who keep nature close to your heart."

Nancy will be holding two trunk shows at AZ Handmade Gallery in May. The first will be during ArtWalk on Friday, May 3rd from 6:00-8:30pm. Armand Ramirez will be playing live music for us and over 25 businesses are participating, so come downtown to enjoy some art along with the spring weather!

Nancy's second trunk show will be on Saturday, May 11th from 12:00-4:00pm. That's right before Mother's Day and it's graduation weekend - the perfect time to find a gift! The Explore the Wild collection will be front and center at both shows.

Vases and Flowers for Mother's Day

Have you seen the glass work at the gallery by Rob Lewis? Rob is George Averbeck's studio assistant and a glass artist himself. He got his start in the Pacific Northwest, working in production-style studios in Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett. Now he's beginning to grow his own body of work, specializing in the Murrine technique of cane creation and application.

Rob will be in the gallery with Nancy on Saturday, May 11th with a special for Mother's Day: When you purchase one of his vases, you can take home the flowers in it, too. Come early before all the flowers are gone!

"Yeii Beii Cheiis" by Frank Fowler Jr.

Frank Fowler Jr. Exhibition for ArtX
We're excited to have guest artist, Frank Fowler Jr., show his paintings in an exhibition as part of the city-wide ArtX event. Born and raised in northwest Arizona, Frank Fowler Jr. is a self-taught artist specializing in heavy body acrylics. His Navajo culture and the landscapes of his home are the influences that most often direct his brush. When Fowler was a child, his father took him to the Winter Navajo ceremonies and those experiences inspired his many works depicting the Yeii Bei Cheis. “I love to capture the lighting from the full moon and bonfires in my Yeii Beii Cheii paintings and I love to paint my childhood memories as well.”

Fowler’s art has won numerous awards at top Native American Art Markets across the country, such as Best of Show at Litchfield Park Gathering Indian Market and Best in Division at Heard Museum Indian Market.

His work will be on display from May 17th-26th at AZ Handmade Gallery and Frank will be painting live in the gallery on Friday, May 17 from 11:00am-5:00pm. Come watch him work and learn about his art!

You can find more information about ArtX (over 100 experiences throughout 10 days!) on their website.

Sneak Peek
Internationally renowned artist and Flagstaff local, Joe Sorren, will be our featured artist in June! He'll be painting live in the gallery during First Friday ArtWalk and releasing new prints.

Put June 7th on your calendar!

You can shop handmade art from anywhere through our online store! Don't see what you're looking for? Call us at 928-779-3790 and we'll send you pictures of items in stock and process your order over the phone.

Sending love from AZ Handmade Gallery!
Psst! If you subscribe to our newsletter you'll get these updates straight to your inbox!

]]><![CDATA[April Events and Joe Sorren Prints]]>Wed, 27 Mar 2024 23:46:45 GMThttps://www.azhandmade.com/news--events/april-events-and-joe-sorren-prints

Traditional Hopi Silversmithing
Our featured artist for April, Darren Seweyestewa, has been handcrafting metal for over 30 years and has become a highly respected Hopi silversmith. He is proudly continuing the tradition of his tribe's overlay technique. In this style of metalwork, a designed is hand-pierced into a layer of silver, which is then soldered flat onto another layer of silver beneath it. The metal showing through the design is textured and oxidized to bring out the crisp lines of the piercings - creating a striking piece of wearable art. Each piece requires precision and high attention to detail.

"I usually use traditional symbols in my jewelry-making, such as water, cloud, feathers and animal designs," Darren says. If you've ever wanted to learn more about Hopi art, First Friday ArtWalk on April 5th is the perfect time to come to the gallery! Darren will be at ArtWalk from 6:00-8:30pm with a large variety of his jewelry and is happy to share about the culture and inspiration behind his work.

There will also be live music by Pablo G! All stops for the April ArtWalk can be found through the map online.

"Is Anyone Still Jazzercising?" by Joe Sorren

Joe Sorren Prints
We're pleased to now offer Joe Sorren's Limited Edition prints through our online store. Many of the prints are almost sold out of their editions (including the three pictured here), so if you love one don't let it slip away! We ship domestically and internationally.

Joe Sorren will be our featured artist in June, and will be doing a live painting event at AZ Handmade Gallery during ArtWalk on June 7th. Put it on your calendars now.

Nancy Foo Trunk Show

Nancy Foo will be holding a Trunk Show with her mixed metal and hand-cut stone jewelry - like this lovely Larimar and Aquamarine necklace. Come by on Saturday, April 13th noon-4pm to meet the artist and peruse her current collection!

You can shop handmade art from anywhere through our online store! Don't see what you're looking for? Call us at 928-779-3790 and we'll send you pictures of items in stock and process your order over the phone.

Sending love from AZ Handmade Gallery!
Psst! If you subscribe to our newsletter you'll get these updates straight to your inbox!

]]><![CDATA[March Feature and Glass Order Deadline]]>Fri, 23 Feb 2024 21:10:06 GMThttps://www.azhandmade.com/news--events/february-feature-and-glass-order-deadline

Welcoming a New Artist
We're excited to feature our newest jeweler, Zac Kothrade! A longtime Flagstaff local, Zac earned his Jewelry and Metalsmithing degree at Northern Arizona University and has been honing his craft ever since. From making special clasps designed to be fastened with one hand, to brooches that can be changed effortlessly into pendants, his careful attention to wearability and versatility can be seen across his elegant work.

"I strive to discover simple shapes and forms that are unique, fascinating, and look stunning when worn. Natural shape, pattern and texture are central to the inspiration for the aesthetic of my pieces." - Zac Kothrade

Zac works in Argentium Silver, an alloy made especially for jewelers. With a higher silver content than Sterling, Argentium Silver has a whiter color, doesn't tarnish as easily, and can be hardened to be more durable and scratch resistant. In addition, Zac also uses gold and precious stones as accents on many of his pieces.

Zac recently added a large selection of gorgeous new pieces to his case! Due to an unexpected conflict, he won't be able to attend ArtWalk on Friday, March 1st, but we'll be open with live music by Jim DeBusk starting at 6:00pm. Come by the gallery to see Zac's exquisite craftsmanship in person and enjoy a night out!

A full list of ArtWalk stops and events can be found on the digital map.

Spring Order Deadline for George Averbeck Glass
Due to travel, George will be shutting down his furnace the months of April and May.
Glass orders placed in-person or online through March 8th will be fulfilled within his normal 2-4 week time frame.

Any orders placed after March 8th will be fulfilled in June. Click here to place an order online or contact the gallery with any questions at 928-779-3790!

Scenic Vase by George Averbeck

We have work from over twenty artists available in our online store - including "Nightfall," the newest woodcut by Julie Williams! Blown glass, ceramics, jewelry, original paintings, prints, and more can be ordered anytime.

"Nightfall" by Julie Williams

Sending love from AZ Handmade Gallery!
Psst! If you subscribe to our newsletter you'll get these updates straight to your inbox!

]]><![CDATA[February 2024 Artist Events]]>Sat, 27 Jan 2024 20:20:34 GMThttps://www.azhandmade.com/news--events/february-2024-artist-events

Storm Blossom by Elaine Dillingham

Featuring Elaine Dillingham in February
We're excited to be kicking off 2024's ArtWalk season with the lovely Elaine Dillingham! If you're unfamiliar, Elaine is an artist right here in Flagstaff who speaks poetry with her brush. Her work is often based on a soft palette punctuated by bursts of bold color.

Houseplants at Night by Elaine Dillingham

Elaine doesn't limit herself to one style, medium, or subject matter. Having lived in Flagstaff since 1989, she sometimes draws inspiration from the natural world of northern Arizona, like her depiction of the Sacred Datura in Storm Blossom. Other paintings recreate still lives, but in her work, whimsical lines distort, anthropomorphize, and enliven everyday objects until they have a voice of their own. In her words: "I draw and paint from life, then interpret. I like to glide on the edge of abstraction. Acrylic, watercolor, ink – I love them all."

White Bird by Elaine Dillingham

Elaine will have original paintings up for her show, and is also offering prints which she has individually painted with an iridescent acrylic overlay - making each print one-of-a-kind. Elaine will be at ArtWalk on Friday, February 2nd starting at 6:00pm, along with Craig Yarbrough of the Grand Canyon Guitar Society who will be playing live music! If you're far away, you can view and order her work via our online store.

Parrot Wing Chrysocolla necklace by Nancy Foo

Mokume-gane earrings by Nancy Foo

Valentine Jewelry Trunk Show!
Nancy Foo will have her hand-cut stone and mixed-metal jewelry, including new mokume-gane pieces that are oxidized to bring out the stunning, wood-grain affect of the metal.
Pam Gemin will have a huge selection of bracelets and earrings. Her new gemstone bracelets are made with stones like jade, peach moonstone, and smoky quartz. She'll have charms at the Trunk Show and can attach them on-site for a personalized piece!

Join us to meet the jewelers and shop their new work on Saturday, February 10th from 12:00-4:00pm!

Psst! That day is also the Chocolate Walk in downtown Flagstaff!

Winter Hours:
We're back to our normal hours of 10:00am-5:00pm Monday-Saturday and 10:00am-4:00pm on Sunday. We're generally not daunted by the snow, but if there are any unexpectedly crazy storms, we'll post any closures on our social media.

We have work from over twenty different artists available in our online store - like Chandra Hemminger's mug on the left and Mark Arnegard's mug on the right. Blown glass, ceramics, jewelry, scarves, and more can be ordered for a special Valentine's Day gift.

Sending love from AZ Handmade Gallery!

Psst! If you subscribe to our newsletter you'll get these updates straight to your inbox!

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