FAMoS - First Fridays - Meet the Artist "Mastery in Motion"

"Mastery in Motion" touches on the fundamental paradox of sculpting: the artist’s goal is often to take a cold, heavy, and completely rigid material like bronze and trick the eye into believing it is fluid, breathing, and alive. "Mastery in Motion" ultimately means that neither the artist, the medium, nor the viewer is ever truly sitting still.

The title Mastery in Motion also perfectly encapsulates the profound, real-world connection between the late John Soderberg and his protégé, Jill Trenholm.

To understand the meaning of the exhibit's theme, we must look at both the physical characteristics of their art and the generational transfer of their skills.

Here is a breakdown of how the exhibit “Mastery in Motion” pertains to both artists:

1. The Figurative "Motion": A Legacy Passed On

At its core, Mastery in Motion represents the continuous flow of artistic knowledge. Jill Trenholm is famously known in Sedona as John Soderberg’s protégé. She studied under him, mastered the bronze creation process through his mentorship, and was even trusted by Soderberg to reproduce his iconic Merlin sculpture before he passed.

• The Motion of Mentorship: The "mastery" did not end when Soderberg passed away; it remained in motion, living on through Trenholm. Today, she honors his legacy by teaching his exact bronze-making methods to new artists in Sedona.

2. John Soderberg’s Style: Fluidity and Human Spirit

John Soderberg was a master of making a heavy, rigid medium like bronze appear as though it were breathing, moving, and feeling. His work is characterized by physical and emotional dynamism.

• Captured Kinetic Energy: Whether he was sculpting mythological figures, historical icons, or symbols of the human condition, Soderberg’s pieces are never static. They feature flowing garments, outstretched limbs, and expressive postures that capture a snapshot of action.

• Emotional Movement: His mastery lay in his ability to move the viewer. His realistic, emotive style was designed to evoke empathy, struggle, triumph, and grace, putting the human spirit itself into motion.

3. Jill Trenholm’s New Style: The Rhythm of Nature

Trenholm’s background is rooted in whimsical, highly detailed illustration and miniature giftware design (including work for Disney and Maruri). However, her transition into fine art bronze under Soderberg’s tutelage has resulted in an entirely new, elevated style. For Trenholm, Mastery in Motion reflects her evolution as an artist and the thematic focus of her new bronzes.

• Marrying Humanity with Nature: Her unique, evolving style beautifully combines the human figure with the natural world. Instead of Soderberg's purely classical or historical realism, Trenholm incorporates the "magic" of nature—such as fairy figures (like Terra Verde), acorns, and monuments blending human hearts with growing trees.

• The Motion of Life: The movement in Trenholm's work is cyclical and organic. It represents the kinetic energy of the earth, the sprouting of flora, and spiritual unity. She brings the enchanting, story-driven elements of her past into the enduring, serious medium of bronze she learned from Soderberg.

Ultimately, Mastery in Motion celebrates a beautiful synergy: John Soderberg’s ability to freeze human emotion in time, and Jill Trenholm’s ability to carry his techniques forward while breathing her own natural, mystical life into the bronze.

Fine Art Museum of Sedona (FAMoS) is located at 735 Jordan Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336-3576 (Co-located at the Sedona Heritage Museum).

Open Daily from 11am to 3pm.

FAMoS exhibits explore the many different types of art that has been inspired by Sedona and the Verde Valley and gives the guest an in-depth education about the art and the fascinating artists who have lived and worked in Sedona.

A multimedia room shows continual videos about local artists and the museum and potential future museum designs.

The current exhibit is free and donations are accepted to the not for profit to help in the mission of establishing our permanent facility.

Please contact info@fineartmuseumofsedona.org or +1 888 602 2667 if you would like to schedule a group tour at times other than the current hours of operation. The maximum capacity for tours is 15 people.