COMMUNITY
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GILBERT SUN NEWS | AUGUST 1, 2021
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EV artist brightens the world with a brush BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI GSN Staff Writer
J
. Pierce sits on the sofa of his Gilbert home donning black pants, a playful Lolo’s Chicken and Waffles T-shirt he designed and colorful shoes that pop. The cream-colored walls are bare, which is surprising for the prolific artist who has sold his Keith Haring-like artwork to likes of rapper Rick Ross and the Arizona Coyotes president and chief executive officer Xavier Gutierrez. “Anytime I put up artwork, I always end up selling it,” Pierce
said with a shrug. He’s working on T-shirts for Monroe’s Hot Chicken, which is owned by Lolo’s. Pierce is one of Arizona’s best-kept secrets. Besides his work for Ross and Gutierrez, Pierce designed T-shirts for Samuel Jackson, and artwork for former professional baseball player Howie Kendrick, who lives in Phoenix. Pierce’s work, particularly for Jackson, led to mentions on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” “It was cool when Jimmy
J. Pierce is one of Arizona’s best-kept secrets. He discovered penciling and sketching at age 15, when he was in foster care as his parents were going through “tough times.” (Courtesy of J. Pierce)
Pierce designed T-shirts for Samuel Jackson, and artwork for former professional baseball player Howie Kendrick, who lives in Phoenix. Pierce’s work, particularly for Jackson, led to mentions see ARTIST page 18 on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” (Courtesy of J. Pierce)
Check out school artifacts at HD SOUTH GSN NEWS STAFF
H
D SOUTH, home of the Gilbert Historical Museum and an arts, culture and history center, has a full lineup of programs for this month. The programs are led by artists, historians, storytellers, health and wellness specialists, botanists and scientists – experts in their field who share their knowledge and skills with our community. Originally opened as Gilbert Elementary School in 1913, HD SOUTH is the oldest building still standing in Gilbert and is the only one on the National Register of Historic Places. Gilbert Museum is a repository of artifacts chronicling the town’s rich history, featuring newly remodeled exhibits and interactive displays. To register, visit hdsouth.org/calendar. Unless noted otherwise, programs are free but registration is required. All participants will be required to wear facial coverings and
Marshall Shore, “The Hip Historian,” will present a program on signs at HD South this month. (GSN file photo) adhere to physical distancing guidelines. HD SOUTH is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Gallery 4 features works by Kids
in Focus, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering and inspiring at-risk youth. It encourages children to use photography to build their sense of confidence and value. Gallery 4 admission is included in the price of museum admission. Information: hdsouth.org PROGRAMS Monday Yoga with Ginger 6:30-7:30 p.m. every Monday Ginger Smith guides the class on relaxation techniques and muscle conditioning. Smith is a certified yoga and group fitness instructor and her training includes restorative and yin flow, yoga and weights, and chair yoga. Her classes incorporate movement, breathing, and emotional balance. Open to all levels. Bring your own mat. Ages 16 and up. Members, free; non-members, $5 See It Saturday 10:30 a.m.-noon Aug. 7 Artifacts that are normally not avail-
able for public viewing are displayed once a month. This month the focus is on school room artifacts such as vintage primers, antique schoolroom chairs and various other artifacts found in the schoolrooms of yesteryear. Museum admission required. Golden Age of Signage in Arizona 10:30 a.m.-noon Aug. 14 This ivisual presentation explores the social significance of the rise of commercial neon signs and references the designers whose signs became iconic images that defined the West in the age of the automobile. Presented by Marshall Shore, Arizona’s “Hip Historian,” the program looks at the weird, wonderful and obscure treasures from our past: the semi-forgotten people, places, and events that have made us who we are today. Members free, non-members, $5 Native American Railroad Workers
see SOUTH page 18
