Jeff Arnett Sculpture

“Art completes what nature cannot bring to finish. The artist gives us knowledge of nature's unrealized ends”.-Aristotle

About Jeff Arnett

Sculptor, Writer

Jeff Arnett resides in Santa Cruz, CA, with his wife Patricia and his beloved 1960 Metropolitan classic car. His journey as both a poet and sculptor began after earning two BAs from UCSC, followed by a detour into the world of retailing with local stores the ID (Integrand Design) and the BX (Basic Exchange). However, his passion for writing reignited, leading him to pursue a master's degree in creative writing at the University of Colorado, Boulder. For 26 years, he dedicated himself to teaching writing at UCSC while nurturing his creative endeavors in both word and stone. Now retired, Arnett devotes his time and energy to crafting sculptures from stone, bronze, and wood.

Arnett's artistic journey took a significant turn when he became involved in Santa Cruz Open Studios a decade ago. Since then, he has sculpted over two hundred pieces while continuing to write and publish poetry. Reflecting on his early influences, Arnett recalls how the arrowheads his father discovered in Alabama sparked his initial fascination with shaping stone. It wasn't until his time at UCSC, however, that he truly embraced the tactile nature of working with clay, wood, and wax. Under the guidance of mentor and bronze sculptor Doyle Foreman, Arnett pursued a major in art, eventually delving into the realm of stone sculpture with the mentorship of local granite sculptor Peter Hanson.

Arnett's participation in Open Studios proved transformative, providing the platform to showcase his work and connect with the local art community. Encouraged, he honed his techniques and began tackling larger projects, ultimately leading to works placed in private collections across California, Utah, Texas, Louisiana, New York, and even France. Arnett's artistic journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication to both his craft and the exploration of creative expression through word and stone.

In the beginning…

Maybe the arrowheads my father found in Alabama as a child and later gave to me were my first inkling that stone could be shaped to suit our needs.  But it wasn't until I took a studio art class at UCSC that I realized how much my hands wanted to shape clay, wood and wax.  Bronze sculptor Doyle Foreman was an early mentor up there and I eventually majored in art.  Stone came later.  Local granite sculptor Peter Hanson taught me about using power tools and encouraged me to try Open Studios, which finally gave me the push to show my work.  The experience of meeting and talking to the local art public was invaluable and inspired me to refine my technique and take on larger work.  Since then, my sculpture resides in private collections in California, Utah, Texas, Louisiana, New York, and France. - Jeff Arnett

See also Jeffrey Arnett Extended Resume

Poetry Author - Jeff Arnett

In 2023, Jeff Arnett released a book of poetry inspired by his love of life and family. Similar to his approach as a sculpture artist, as an author he is unafraid of the depths and complexities. He bravely reveals the intimacy of a journey toward a deeper understanding of the people who have touched him most through expressive words that vividly emote. Visit the Blog for excerpts from Arnett’s debut book. In Another Life is available for purchase at Bookshop Santa Cruz and Two Birds (Santa Cruz, CA).