Jewelry Artist Featured in April 2026
The Village Gallery of Local Artists is delighted to introduce new member Julee Norton-Cohen. She brings her expertise in intricate beading techniques to the gallery, and will be the Featured Artist during the month of April. A reception will be held on Friday, April 3rd from 5-8PM.
Originally a mixed-media painter Norton-Cohen created ethereal abstract works that expressed her connection to the Universal Life Force. However, once she was introduced to the wide, wide wonderful world of beads, a new direction opened up for her. Norton-Cohen explains, “It was love at first sight. I love the history of beads. I love the color and texture of beads. I love the intrinsic properties of gemstone beads. In fact, to date, I have not met a bead that I haven’t fallen in love with.”
Using various bead sizes and shapes in vibrant color combinations, Norton-Cohen spends many attentive hours in meticulous handwork. She particularly enjoys off-loom bead weaving, a technique in which seed beads are woven together using a single threaded needle to create various stitches and patterns. Norton-Cohen says “For me, bead weaving is very meditative and I truly get lost in the process.”
Norton-Cohen’s precise jewelry creations include gemstone beaded necklaces, gemstone chokers, energy bracelets, earrings, and peyote stitch seed bead bracelets. She also creates miniature landscape and abstract framed paintings using tiny beads.
Norton-Cohen loves the creative process and the endless possibilities that life presents. She enjoys breaking boundaries, experimenting, and thinking outside of the box. While working on her BA in Art at California State University Northridge, a painting professor declared that Norton-Cohen was a conceptual artist. “That works for me,” she said.
Norton-Cohen has been active in the local art community for 21 years. She volunteered at the Sedona Arts Center, joined the Northern Arizona Watercolor Society and the Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition where she eventually became President.
The Village Gallery will host a reception for Julee Norton-Cohen on Friday, April 3rd from 5-8PM. The public is encouraged to come and experience this artist’s passion for beaded art. Light refreshments will be served.
The Village Gallery is located at 6512 State Route 179 in the Village of Oak Creek and is open 7 days a week from 10AM until 6PM; applications for new membership are available. For more information, stop by the gallery, call (928) 284-1416, or visit the website at https://sedonalocalartists.com.
