MCE exhibit ‘dream come true’ for local artist

By Adam Wolfe

The Maricopa Center for Entrepreneurship will be displaying the quilling masterpieces of Deborah Jay for the month of September.

The works of art are actually thousands of tiny pieces of paper that are rolled up and put together to create an image or sculpture.

“I call myself a paper artist,” Jay said. “I first went into quilling when I saw an article in Workbasket Magazine in 1992. The very first thing I did was a heart, and after that I was hooked and I just started rolling paper. After I left my position back in Chicago, I came out here and started doing it on a daily basis.”

MCE will host a reception for Deborah Jay at 20800 N. John Wayne Parkway, Suite 108, on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Appetizers and drinks will be served.

Jay’s art ranges from animals such as eagles and wolves to cowboy boots and figurines. She said the most unique thing she’s made was a pair of cobras. The owner wanted a portrait of his snakes, so she had to make sure the markings on each were exact so he could tell them apart.

“I always wanted to have my own art show, so this is a dream come true,” Jay said. “This is just amazing. I thank MCE for all the help and encouragement they have given me.”

For the MCE, the choice to use Jay’s art as the monthly exhibit was simple. As long as the art meets the criteria of being local and catching the eye of the MCE staff, the organization is proud to display in their offices, Executive Director Dan Beach stated

“We found it fascinating that [Deborah Jay] rolls up tiny pieces of paper and makes these pictures,” Beach said. “You’d never believe how these tiny pieces of paper can become something so beautiful. Part of art is the magic of making something ordinary become phenomenal. DJ’s art is unique and we wanted to share it.”