Photos by Christiaan Blok Lisa Paulick and Mary Kay and Tom Obert pose with Apple of My Eye, a Zimbabwean Springstone sculpture by Dominic Benhura; it measures 27"H x 58"W x 11"D.

Zuva Gallery

PRINCIPALS—Mary Kay and Tom Obert, founders and co-owners; Lisa Paulick, director and co-owner (left)

OPENED—1996

LOCATION—El Pedregal, 34505 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite J7, Scottsdale

HOURS—Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m.

PHONE—(480) 488-6000

WEBSITE—zuvagallery.com

BACKGROUND—Mary Kay and Tom Obert began collecting traditional African stone sculptures while on their first trip to Zimbabwe in 1988. In 1996, the couple decided to open their own gallery, dedicating it to the Zimbabwean sculpture that captivated them.

The Oberts named the gallery Zuva—which in Shona (a Zimbabwean people and dialect) means “sunshine”—and moved into a storefront in north Scottsdale aptly named el Pedregal, which is Spanish for “place of many stones.”

Finding artwork to display in the gallery is no easy task. Paulick and the Oberts spend three to four weeks at a time traveling throughout Zimbabwe, developing relationships with artists and hand-picking each piece of artwork. “Sometimes it’s a wild goose chase, and sometimes it’s a gold mine,” Paulick states, noting that despite scouting up to 15 hours a day, the process is “always thrilling.”

The gallery showcases an array of sculptures, weighing from 10 to 8,000 pounds, as well as abstract African paintings. Featured sculptures are created much like they would have been 1,000 years ago—with hand tools only. Tom Obert says the process is a spiritual one that requires immense patience. He explains that artists allow a boulder to inspire them, then, using the natural lines of the material, chisel it away to “release the spirit from the stone.”

In an effort to educate clients about the art form, the gallery owners display carving tools and partially completed works. The gallery also hosts exhibitions where guests can watch visiting Zimbabwean “rock stars” sculpt pieces. Paulick comments on the difficulty of organizing such events. “It’s not like bringing an artist from Flagstaff,” she points out. “There are visas, and shipping sculptures overseas. And, you always have to remember that everything moves slower in Zimbabwe.”

SPECIALTY—Zuva Gallery features one of the largest collections of handmade African stone sculptures in the U.S., as well as paintings from Zimbabwe and other parts of southern Africa.

ARTISTS—Dominic Benhura, Keith Joubert, Bernard Matemera, Lawrence Mukomberanwa, Nicholas Mukomberanwa, Jonah Runyanga, and Lori Schappe-Youens.