Chorus

Born of a searing 2000-degree forge fire, Blacksmith Jill Turman’s 16 ½ ft x 7 ft creation takes shape on the entrance wall to the Firehouse Arts Center at 4444 Railroad Ave. Perhaps drawing from her early interests in glass blowing and classes at Cal Poly, Jill’s ornamental metal creation graces the wall with flow and musical quality. Simple in design, the metal sculpture is anchored to the wall. The linear lines resemble a music staff, connecting the names of donors who made the Firehouse a reality. The extended scrolling on the staff displays the love of the curve and brings forward an abstract cleft.

Chorus is aptly named since it reflects singular donors coming forward in a vocal chorus which gave rise to the building of the Firehouse Arts Center. Look carefully at the back plate of each donor’s plaque. Notice the texture. Each texture relates to the donor’s level of giving.  On the right side of the art piece is a “key” showing the donation amount for each metal plate texture. There is space for future donors if you are so inclined.

The Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council created a non-profit Pleasanton Cultural Arts Foundation soliciting 2.5 million dollars of public and private contributions in addition to the 10 million the Pleasanton City Council eventually authorized for the complex.

Maybe, Jill Turman’s ornamental art was affected by her few years in the Los Angeles music business and managing logistics for artists such as George Michael and Megadeth before becoming a blacksmith. Jill’s education and life experiences are varied, as you will see when you observe her three outdoor art installations at the Firehouse-Entwine, By the Letter, and Spiral.

Jan Coleman-Knight