For the week of June 19 - 25, 2002

Valley artists are featured in upcoming HGTV spots

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By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

For the second time this spring the cable television station House and Garden TV found its way to the Wood River Valley.

Leslie Jago works in her studio on a trout mural while camera man Bill Ward shoots her for an HGTV program. Express photo by David N. Seelig

Early this spring they shot footage for a segment of the show "If Walls Could Talk," at the Povey Pension in Hailey. For the Sunday evening "Modern Masters" program, a crew shot several artists in the valley last week for the show, which highlights those who make functional work for the home.

After shooting Dave Lamur’s work in Twin Falls last Wednesday, the duo proceeded to Indian Creek, north of Hailey, to shoot tile artist Leslie Jago.

Denver-based High Noon Productions producer Gay Pinder and cameraman Bill Ward arrived at 8:15 a.m. and worked with Jago in her studio, and on location in East Fork and Ketchum, for shots of some of her finished work at various locations until 7 p.m.

"It was quite an honor for them to choose me," Jago said.

Pinder said she usually finds artists for the shows by doing on-line searches and by checking art magazines and fairs.

First they shot Jago walking to her studio, which is a charming cabin not more than 25 feet from her home. The path has a spectacular view west, surrounded by hills of flowers, and meanders under a hops-covered arch.

"It was like a cooking show, with me reproducing what I’ve already done." She worked on one of her signature wildlife murals used as backslashes behind stove tops.

"They showed me rolling clay, cutting tiles, drying, bisqueing and painting the underglaze. Then I brush clear glaze, and low fire the earthen ware tiles."

They also shot footage inside Jago’s home where liberal proof of her work is evident. While in the valley, the crew also interviewed and shot footage of the work of rocksmith Don Fraser and sculptors Jack Burgess and Russ Lamb.

When High Noon produces each segment, artists from the same area are put into separate shows, so they will not all be on one show. The programs will air either late fall or early winter.

High Noon Productions also produces the HGTV programs "If Walls Could Talk," "The Secret Gardens of…" and "Dream Drives."

 

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