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September 2015
Feature Toscana Studio & Gallery Oro Valley, AZ by C.J. Shane |
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Toscana Studio & Gallery
Toscana Studio and Gallery in Oro Valley, Arizona, emerged from one artist’s personal response to the needs of children. Artist and Toscana gallerist Linda Ahern had only recently returned to her native Arizona after 20 years in California. In the Bay area, she worked as a visual merchandiser and display manager for retail/department. All the while, she continued sculpting and painting in her own studio. Ahern, her husband, and two children moved to Tucson in 2003 to be nearer family.
“I volunteered often at my children's elementary school, and they invited parents to come in and teach a small group of kids a particular expertise or passion. I hauled clay into a small room in the library and with 6 children, together we sculpted, molded, casted a sculpture of a girl with school books. It was so fun and successful, I was invited back to teach 28 kids how to sculpt life sized portrait busts, and from there I started teaching kids to sculpt from my garage.
After several months of that I decided to open Toscana as a studio where children could sculpt, and learn many techniques that are not taught in a large school environment. My first year of summer camps for kids, I had 2 students. Today, 9 years later, our summer program drew 170 children.”
The classes for children continue to this day, and classes for adults taught by Ahern and other teaching have been added as well. “I hire instructors to teach all kinds of media for weekly classes and workshops. I teach oil painting and figurative sculpture to adults.”
“I volunteered often at my children's elementary school, and they invited parents to come in and teach a small group of kids a particular expertise or passion. I hauled clay into a small room in the library and with 6 children, together we sculpted, molded, casted a sculpture of a girl with school books. It was so fun and successful, I was invited back to teach 28 kids how to sculpt life sized portrait busts, and from there I started teaching kids to sculpt from my garage.
After several months of that I decided to open Toscana as a studio where children could sculpt, and learn many techniques that are not taught in a large school environment. My first year of summer camps for kids, I had 2 students. Today, 9 years later, our summer program drew 170 children.”
The classes for children continue to this day, and classes for adults taught by Ahern and other teaching have been added as well. “I hire instructors to teach all kinds of media for weekly classes and workshops. I teach oil painting and figurative sculpture to adults.”
Linda Ahern
Ahern named Toscana after the province of Tuscany in Italy where she studied during her BFA program. “I went to school in Florence, Italy, at Gonzaga in Florence my junior year. It was there that I sculpted for the first time, and I fell in love with it. It made sense to call my studio Toscana since that was where I was most inspired sculpturally.”
The original Toscana may be best known for its Renaissance art, but the gallery that Ahern opened in Oro Valley carries an eclectic selection of local artists, among them Susan Adler, Steven Gruenau, Lisa Agababian, Melissa Johnson, Judith Kramer, Aureleo Rosano, David Schwindt, and of course, Linda Ahern’s own paintings and sculpture. She opened Toscana Studio and Gallery in 2006.
As one might guess, Ahern is one busy woman.
The original Toscana may be best known for its Renaissance art, but the gallery that Ahern opened in Oro Valley carries an eclectic selection of local artists, among them Susan Adler, Steven Gruenau, Lisa Agababian, Melissa Johnson, Judith Kramer, Aureleo Rosano, David Schwindt, and of course, Linda Ahern’s own paintings and sculpture. She opened Toscana Studio and Gallery in 2006.
As one might guess, Ahern is one busy woman.
LAhern_Wind Spirit_
“I sculpt and paint every week at Toscana in addition to running the fine art gallery and the art school. We hire models weekly and offer non instructional sessions where I, too, get to make art. That is really the only time I create, but have a studio at home where I spend many hours finishing what I start at Toscana.”
Toscana holds two major shows each year in addition to bi-annual Open Studios tours. This year, Toscana is participating in Art Trails, the newly organized west/northwest Tucson, Oro Valley, and Marana Studio Tour. She is also planning to participate in the newly revived Tucson Pima Arts Council Fall Open Studios tour.
"I do really like the idea of Open Studios being over several weekends and in different parts of the city. We’ve struggled on one weekend. Most people head downtown. There’s a lack of traffic It’s a great idea to keep it local, bring people out and bring to our part of town,” Ahern says.
(click on all images to enlarge)
Toscana holds two major shows each year in addition to bi-annual Open Studios tours. This year, Toscana is participating in Art Trails, the newly organized west/northwest Tucson, Oro Valley, and Marana Studio Tour. She is also planning to participate in the newly revived Tucson Pima Arts Council Fall Open Studios tour.
"I do really like the idea of Open Studios being over several weekends and in different parts of the city. We’ve struggled on one weekend. Most people head downtown. There’s a lack of traffic It’s a great idea to keep it local, bring people out and bring to our part of town,” Ahern says.
(click on all images to enlarge)
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Ahern also has a Featured Artist series at the gallery. “Every 2 months I select one of the gallery artists to be featured and show samplings of their work through my advertising and website and newsletters,” she explains. Toscana’s featured artist for this fall is Chris Harvey. “We have a big show of Chris’s work titled “A Painter’s Life” planned. This is a one-man exhibit,” Ahern adds. “Chris has a BFA and MFA and owns and operates Blue Coyote Painting (house painting). Chris is very prolific. His series is made of paintings of his Blue Coyote employees.” The opening for Chris Harvey’s exhibit is October 17 from 5 to 9 p.m. “We’ll have live music, good food and wine. Toscana has wonderful events,” Ahern adds. “We have trails in the desert next to the gallery that are lit at night similar to Tohono Chul. We’ll have spotlights on the paintings for this event. Toscana is a very unique environment.” |
CHarvey_Cutting Edge_
CHarvey_Soul Painter_
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LAhern_Cloud Color_
Any thoughts on the arts in southern Arizona or advice for artists?
Ahern says, “It is very important for artists and community to come together to keep the arts alive! The tours usually generate some sales, and I always meet so many great people during the tours. I have developed a clientele that always comes back to see what's new in the gallery. Together we have developed a community of art lovers.”
For artists, Ahern advises, “Keep at it and stay devoted. Be around other artists because it is very inspiriting. “
For more about Toscana Studio and Gallery and Linda Ahern’s artwork, go to https://www.toscanastudioandgallery.com/
Ahern says, “It is very important for artists and community to come together to keep the arts alive! The tours usually generate some sales, and I always meet so many great people during the tours. I have developed a clientele that always comes back to see what's new in the gallery. Together we have developed a community of art lovers.”
For artists, Ahern advises, “Keep at it and stay devoted. Be around other artists because it is very inspiriting. “
For more about Toscana Studio and Gallery and Linda Ahern’s artwork, go to https://www.toscanastudioandgallery.com/