Lithia Artisans Market, just down from the Oregon Shakespearean Festival, is blessed this season with loads of new artists. I wrote about the “fun” new artisans last week. This week I will concentrate on some of the new artists at the market making fine art, leather belts, and beautifully original stained-glass.
Gene Nawrocki is a leather worker who shows at Lithia Artisans Market in Ashland, Oregon. He is a veteran artisan of 34 years.
Gene is a leather worker. He has been making belts, wallets, and bracelets out of Oregon grown leather for over 34 years. He’s a veteran of the artisan world. I met Gene at the Rogue Valley Mall over the Christmas holidays. He had a kiosk set up in the mall with his belts — quite the display. We talked and I realized he was probably the only kiosk in the mall making the items he was selling. I was impressed and told him about Lithia Artisans Market. I was pleased to see Gene setting up earlier in the season. His workmanship is top-notch. If you need a new belt, Gene is the man to see.
The abstract art of Alexandra Fox. This piece is entitled "Bliss".
It was the weekend before the 4th of July. I was walking to get my morning coffee at Mix when a piece of art literally pulled me into a new booth. I told the new artist that I am an abstract art collector, and I was very taken with her display. Alexandra Fox was very easy to talk with and obviously an extension of her art-form. She is excited by her own art and it shows in the product. The painting that caught my eye was gone before the end of the day. Another piece will catch my eye soon. I hope to own one of these abstract paintings before the end of the season. For more about Alx, go to www.alxfox.com.
The Glass Art of Jannie Ledard can be seen at the Lithia Artisans Market in Ashland, Oregon.
Two weeks ago I slowed down enough to really appreciate the stained glass art of Jannie Ledard. Jannie is another of those talented Talentonians from the little town of Talent, Oregon. So many of us artists and artisans reside in the tiny burg of Talent, Oregon. The town seems to live up to its name. Jannie has a real eye for design. When Jannie is set up next to Alexandra (the aforementioned abstract artist) it is like you are in an outdoor, high end gallery. I love the fact that the artisans market is attracting such fine artists as we grow and evolve in our downtown Ashland home. Jannie creates her art by mixing agates with glass to create wonderful pieces that play with light in dramatic ways. Take the moment to check out her work, it is delightful. For more on Jannie go to www.jannieledardglassart.com.
We have many new artists at the market this year. These are just a few. Next week I will concentrate on the new jewelry artists at the market.
Here is the music schedule for the weekend.
Here is a fun shot of Gene Burnett after his set the last time he showed at the market. The dancers making the arch are Hannah and Ax. Joyous moments at the Lithia Artisans Market.
Saturday, July 23
11:30 – 1:30 Gene Burnett
3:00 – 5:00 Bridget Wolf
Sunday, July 24
11:30 – 1:30 Jon Galfano
3:00 – 5:00 Quartet of Two