JoanJones Stages Her Last Hurrah--all Over Again
July 21st, 2014 - Lompoc, CA
With apologies to Yogi Berra, the Dodger catcher who once said, “It's like déjà vu all over again,” Joan Jones announced the theme for her upcoming art show at the Grossman Gallery in Lompoc 's Library, 501 E. North, throughout August as “My Last Hurrah – All Over Again.” Gallery hours coincide with those of the library, which are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays.
In February, 2011, when she staged her original “last hurrah,” Jones claims she left the door open for future shows by referring to others --not necessarily in her profession -- who'd come out of retirement, to perform at least once more. These included professional quarterback, Brett Favre, singer Barbra Streisand, and actress, Sarah Bernhardt, who, as a friend noted recently, was well-known for her “farewell tours!”
Jones explained that when she heard that this year August will have five Fridays, five Saturdays, and five Sundays, a phenomenon not nearly as rare as some money-grubbers on the internet would have you believe, she was glad she'd picked that month nonetheless. The fact that there are five three-day weekends made it easier, she said, to pick a time for an opening reception, which will be Saturday, August 9, from 2 – 4 p.m. Jones plans to show both her jewelry designs and note cards at that time.broihier Because Jones says she's certain this will indeed be her final one-person show, she's invited family members from all parts of the country to come and celebrate the occasion with her. So far, the only committals have come from her niece and nephew from Missouri.
Included in this “last hurrah” will be not only a few new paintings but also several old favorites, including prints of some in various sizes. “Having recently moved from a large home to a more modest-sized condo, we were confronted with the problem of downsizing. And since that included wall-space, some of the works may look familiar – especially to those who've been guests in our home,” Jones said.
Her lifelong interest in things artistic began when Jones was 10-years-old, growing up in Iowa with a younger sister and brother, and her grandfather gave her an easel to help pass the time while she recuperated from poliobroihier At Grinnell College (Grinnell, IA), she pursued her passion and majored in fine art. Later, during an l8-year, professional Public Relations career with the YWCA in Iowa, Texas, Virginia, and California and the American Red Cross in Los Angeles, she honed her graphics skills.
For fun, she designed costumes for a professional theatrical company in Hollywood.
Recently, Jones has participated in group shows at the Elverhøj Museum in Solvang (currently through Sept. 28) and the Faulkner gallery, the Meisel Gallery, and the Cabrillo Pavilion, all in Santa Barbara. Also, she’s held one-person shows at The Bookstore in Lompoc, Shepard Gallery in Santa Maria, and Carina Cellars, and The Los Olivos Cafe, both Los Olivos.
For the last more than 40 years, she’s been doing what she enjoys most – “painting and when I can manage it, working from live models -- the ultimate challenge as well as the ultimate pleasure, for me,” Jones said, adding that “the Lord has blessed me with good health, good teachers, and the support of family and friends in the pursuit of my craft.”