Did you know the Tucson J is home to one of the largest public sculpture gardens in the state? The Jill Rosenzweig Memorial Sculpture Garden is home to over 40 large-scale sculptures, and, in addition to revolving exhibits in the Fine Art Gallery, and a variety special events throughout the year, the Garden has helped to put the J on the map as a premier destination for arts in Tucson. To mark both the closing reception for the indoor Tucson J Fine Art Gallery sculpture show, “Sculpt: A Celebration of Sculpture,” and welcome new temporary and permanent pieces in the Sculpture Garden, each year, the Tucson J holds a celebratory sculpture event.
“The Jill Rosenzweig Memorial Sculpture Garden opening event has grown from a private event for limited attendees to a celebration open to the entire community,” said Jennifer Selco, Senior Director of Jewish Living + Engagement. “Artist talks and demonstrations continue to be important staples of the event in addition to live music, delicious food, and time to stroll the Jill Rosenzweig Memorial Sculpture Garden to view the sculptures.”
With a focus on reflection and connection, this year’s event, “Sculpt: Sculpting the Season, An Evening of Art, Intention & Renewal,” will be Sunday, September 14 from 4-6pm at the Tucson J.
“This year, Sculpt falls right before the High Holidays, so I drew a lot of inspiration from the month of Elul, which is understood as a time of reflection, introspection, and teshuvah (return). I hope this year’s event encourages people to pause and truly engage with the works and with themselves,” said Chloe Loos, the Director of Arts + Culture at the Tucson J.
Behind the Selections
A juried show, each piece was chosen with careful consideration by fellow artists. These jurors include:
- Joan Rudd, a seattle-based figurative sculptor and curator.
- Andy Iventosch, a Tucson potter, specializing in domestic ware and larger pieces, such as pots, vases, and jars.
- Amy Pozez, an artist and former art teacher, focused on custom art for common spaces of multi-family developments.
“I made a point to view and review the entries multiple times in order to familiarize myself with the work in a variety of contexts,” said Ivantosch. “I tried to discern what kind of story each entry is trying to say. What kinds of expression are the artists trying to convey in their pieces. I reviewed the entries with considerations towards their uses of materials and craftsmanship with the chosen materials.”
The jurors agreed that sculpture offers guests a unique and, in some ways, a more immersive experience than a traditional 2D exhibition. “Sculpture is an artistic feat of engineering, said Pozez. “It’s a blend of expression and structure. Which to me, adds a whole layer of awe and creates more questions. How does it stand? What is it made of? Is there something inside? Why did they choose that material? How did they make it? What does their studio look like? How did it get here?”
While each juror has a favorite piece chosen for the show, Pozez put it best, “Each time I consider this question, I pick a different piece, which tells me we picked some good stuff.”
Five new pieces have been chosen to be added to the Jill Rosenzweig Memorial Sculpture Garden for a one-year residency. Guests are invited to view them beginning August 14.
Previous Sculpt events in the Jill Rosenzweig Memorial Sculpture Garden.
An Invitation to Pause
“We are often go-go-going all the time, and the idea of taking intentional time for reflection and contemplation while surrounded by these beautiful works of art and really letting them to speak to us is exciting to me,” said Chloe.
“It is my hope that this event serves as an oasis in the whirlwind of post-summer, back-to-school, new Jewish year timeline and reminds us to slow down, observe both ourselves and the things around us, and reflect.”
Sculpt: Sculpting the Season is free and open to the public. Along with viewing the sculptures and meeting the artists, guests will be able to participate in creative reflection-based activities and enjoy wine tastings, charcuterie from Humbleboard and music from local musicians, Leila Lopez and Rebecca Foreman.
Please reach out to Chloe Loos with questions.
