Artist makes jewelry inspired by Route 66

Kathy Sancken: Gemini Giant

Kathy Sancken recently created 50 pieces of jewelry inspired by Route 66 that are on display this month at the Community Art Center in Pontiac, Illinois.

The show is called “Encircled: Route 66 Travelogue — Necklaces Inspired by the Mother Road” in the center’s Joe Bailey Gallery. Pictured above is jewelry inspired by the Gemini Giant fiberglass statue in Wilmington, Illinois.

She told the Pontiac Daily Leader:

“Some are inspired by places I’ve actually visited over the years, others were inspired by the experiences of people close to me,” Sancken said. “From an artistic standpoint, I hope that people will look at what the necklace was inspired by.
“When you think of jewelry for Route 66, it’s easy to think Route 66 logo and that’s not what I wanted this collection to be. I wanted it to be more abstract with an open interpretation. So, maybe you could just walk by and think “oh, that’s nice,” but when you look at it closer, I want people to find the little connections to the road.”

Sancken said in her artist statement:

I thoroughly enjoyed researching the communities along Route 66 then deciding how to translate that inspiration into necklaces. The glass elements I made by melting and shaping glass rods in a torch flame. They were then kiln annealed for strength and durability. I also shaped and soldered the sterling silver work by hand. Occasionally my inspiration was a detour from the road. The Grand Canyon, for example, is not located directly on Route 66, but about an hour away and just too incredible to not visit as part of the trip. Information about each necklace’s inspiration has been included so you can share in the experience of discovery. The information is a compilation from many sources, and hopefully accurate, but often the sources had slightly different “facts.”

In an age where people often expect “canned” entertainment, there is something refreshing about the simple discovery of a sunset in the Painted Desert or the larger than life Gemini Giant. Like any great trip, I did not have time to cover it all and am left with a desire to keep exploring.

Sancken sent photos of a few of her creations that can be seen in the show. Here’s a piece inspired by Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas:

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Another inspired by the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma:

Kathy Sancken: Blue Whale

One inspired by Meteor Crater in Arizona:

Crater

The “World Best” jewelry is inspired by the diners found along Route 66. She also included an ice-cream cone in tribute to Pontiac Mayor Bob Russell, who’s been known to buy ice cream for tourists visiting his town.

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(Images courtesy of Kathy Sancken)

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