The Story
The late Jerry Kencke of Mountain Home, Idaho, was one of the premier photographers of the Western Landscape. He passed away in 2019 at the age of 82, and his wife, Cindy, maintains his photographic legacy. In June, Crossroads will host a retrospective of Jerry’s work, many in the frames he constructed himself.

Jerry was very proud of this photograph, “The Belgian Stud,” a stunning image of beauty, strength and the wildness in this beautiful Belgian horse. Jerry printed this image on a large scale, 4 feet by 5 ½ feet, and built a custom frame for this photograph.

It was chosen to be displayed in the office of Governor Butch Otter at the Idaho State Capital from January 2007 to December of 2009. Cindy has donated this piece to Crossroads to raffle off to support our ArtSpeak Program, with a percentage going to Jerry’s estate and a percentage going to ArtSpeak.

ArtSpeak was created over 30 years ago to support at-risk Baker County youth to receive free after-school art classes. Today we continue to fulfill that mission, and we have expanded our offerings, as funding allows, helping other specific groups of people who are at risk of isolation, loneliness, and despair.

Click Here to Purchase Tickets

 

Raffle Rules
Crossroads will sell only 250 tickets at $20.00 apiece. This beautiful work is valued at over $5,000. When we have sold the 250 tickets, the raffle will automatically close. If by July 31, 2021—the end of Jerry’s Retrospective show, Crossroads has not sold all 250 tickets, the raffle will be extended until all tickets are sold or October 17, 2021, at 9:00 pm. If we have not sold all 250 tickets, we will return the funds to you as we are required by Oregon Law.

The Raffle winner will be notified, and if this piece needs to be shipped, Crossroads will contact the new owner to cover the costs of packing and shipping.

About the Artist
Jerry Kencke (1936-2019) was born in Great Falls, Montana but raised in Idaho and grew up an avid outdoorsman. Jerry’s primary profession was as a Master Electrician, and he volunteered as a fireman in Mountain Home.

He was a self-taught photographer and roamed near and far for over 50 years earning critical acclaim for his style, subject matter and composition. He had invitational or juried shows in over 15 galleries and was represented by four galleries, including Crossroads. His work has been part of numerous group shows, including the Wallowa Valley Festival of the Arts. He served as a juror for Crossroads “Cascadia” photography exhibition and won numerous awards for his photography around the Western United States.

He was select as a “Western Master Artists” in 2013 by Western Masters Artists of Great Falls, Montana, being the first and only photographer ever accepted in this fine art organization’s 40+ year history and partnership with the Charles M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana. He was the proudest of this award as it was from his hometown but honored his clear western vision in his photography.

 

An Open Letter from Cindy Kencke

Did a particular image or framed work capture your attention….did it spark a personal memory….did you wonder about the picture’s back story….did you want to talk to the artist?

 

Throughout Jerry’s years of displaying his work, whenever a piece held meaning for someone, he loved learning about the connection for this person….what was their story.   It always meant more to Jerry to know that a piece was going to a “good home”, to someone who truly connected to his work in some way. 

 

For Jerry, growing up Western carried a responsibility and tradition of helping each other…of being part of a community where you looked out for each other.    An electrician by trade and a volunteer fireman in his younger years, he earned the trust of the ranchers and farmers.  Then, as his talent in photography became known, those same ranchers and farmers would call him when they were branding calves, herding sheep or harvesting a special crop and invite him to bring his camera.  They knew he knew how “not to get in the way” and still get authentic portraits of their life’s work.

  

This collection of Jerry’s photography reflects not only his passion for both the beauty and the toughness of Western Life, but also his respect for those ranchers and farmers.  He poured his heart and soul into each of his hand-crafted frames, with wood often sourced from someone’s old fence. 

 

In keeping with Jerry’s commitment to his community, and his final wishes that we continue to show his work, it is our hope to find “good homes” for his Legacy work.  We are honored to offer special pricing to the loyal community of supporting members of Crossroads Carnegie Art Center. 

 

And as a tribute to Jerry’s memory, if you are moved by one of his works, we would love to hear your story. 

Thank you,

Cindy Terriberry (Kencke)

 

Please note, due to the nature of our e-commerce platform and the special values extended to our members it would be simpler to make a direct transaction with the Community Art Director, Crystal Rainwater. If there is something you have taken an interest in, please do not hesitate to contact us at 541-523-5369 or email the CAD at crystal@crossroads-arts.org

Wildlife

Archival Inkjet               $900

  Crossroads Members Pay      $720

• 2002, High on a mountain road, Jerry knew these elk were bedded down below him.  He lay a long time in the snow and was rewarded with this iconic image of 4 bulls breaking trail in the deeply patterned snow.

Archival Inkjet               $995

   Crossroads Members Pay     $796

• 2000, a young doe in early morning

Archival Canvas           $295      

   Crossroads Members Pay     $236

Archival Inkjet               $140

   Crossroads Members Pay     $112

• 2012, Outside our small cabin ….aka “The Shack”….in Featherville. Jerry built several bluebird boxes and placed them around the property.  His patience and timing were rewarded with this image.

Sheep

Archival Inkjet                 $95     

   Crossroads Members Pay        $76

• 1983, Near Pine Idaho. This became an iconic image for Jerry & was one of his favorites because of the unique lighting.
• Emilio Andrenna, a Basque shepherd, is “on trail” with one of the Hammett Livestock Bands coming up the road above Anderson Ranch Reservoir.  Today, 2 generations later, the Basque community is an essential part of this region.  And now the sheepherders are from Peru and Chile.

Archival Canvas            $285

   Crossroads Members Pay       $228

• 2014, Oh the innocence of young lambs as they are gathered up, sorted and the ram lambs are prepped for a rite of passage…..

Ilfochrome                    $250

  Crossroads Members Pay     $200

• 2002, This is the only Ilfochrome print of this image.
• Ilfochrome is considered “gold standard” of wet lab printing. The Ilford Company discontinued the process in 2004 yielding to the age of digital printing.  A few photographers immediately bought up all the remaining supplies.  As their supplies dwindle, pricing has risen 30-50% a year.  Current value of just the print of this piece: $450.

Archival Canvas           $285

    Crossroads Members Pay     $228

• Jerry planned this image for several years. What you don’t see is the 150-foot basalt cliff he climbed to gain this vantage point.

“The shepherds today are mostly Chilean and Peruvians which makes taking pictures fun since I don’t speak Spanish and their English is limited.  But we communicate:  I give them pictures to send back home to their families, and they, in turn, let me know where they will be with their dogs and bands of sheep.”

Archival Canvas            $135

    Crossroads Members Pay      $108

• Jerry originally named this “Sheep in Headlights”, but I suggested we could try having a naming contest….so for 25 cents a vote, kids at our local library came up with over 60 names, from “Children of the Shorn” to “Creepy Sheepy”. We settled on using both “Ghostly Flock” …Jerry’s preference… and “Night of the Zombie Woolies”….Cindy’s choice
• People’s reactions to this photo have ranged from hilarious to puzzled. We could always tell by a person’s response whether they grew up in the country or the city!!
• And the money from the votes?…We it donated right back to the library. The 2 winners each got a copy of the photograph.

Old Buildings

Archival Canvas           $750

   Crossroads Members Pay      $600

• 2004, Tuscarora, Nevada
• Tuscarora was an active silver mining town in the late 1800’s. Described as a Ghost town with a handful of year-round residents, it is also known for its Tuscarora Pottery School.  The school was founded by internationally renowned ceramicist, Dennis Parks, in 1966 and is still holding Summer residencies.
• Jerry was struck by this old door given its oversized resemblance to a giant keyhole.

Ilfochrome                   $700

 Crossroads Members Pay     $560

• 2000, Prairie Idaho
• This is actually, 3, 8x10 Ilfochrome images skillfully set together manually, not digitally. Look closely to see the scenes drawn on this old shop door.
• This is the only Ilfochrome print of this image. Ilfochrome is considered the “gold standard” of wet lab printing.  The Ilford Company discontinued the process in 2004 yielding to the age of digital printing.  A few photographers immediately bought up all the remaining supplies.  As their supplies dwindle, pricing has risen 30-50% a year.  Current value of just the print of this piece: $525.

Archival Inkjet               $725

   Crossroads Members Pay     $580

• Owyhee County, Idaho. This is a film capture of this unusual pole corral.
• Jerry handcrafted the custom old wood frame, with a finished size of 24 x 32 inches. To protect the image, he treated it for UV light and used conservation clear glass.  This was his standard practice for all of his custom framed images under glass.

Ilfochrome                       $375

   Crossroads Members Pay        $300

• 2000, Cook’s Ranch on Smith’s Prairie, Idaho
• This is the only Ilfochrome print of this image. Ilfochrome is coveted by photographers and collectors as the “gold standard” of wet lab printing.  The Ilford Company discontinued the process in 2004 yielding to the age of digital printing.  A few photographers immediately bought up all the remaining supplies.  There are less than 5 full-time practitioners of the Ilfochrome process in North America and as their supplies dwindle, pricing has risen 30-50% a year.  Current value of just the image print of this piece: $450.

Western Culture

Archival Canvas           $435

  Crossroads Members Pay       $348

• 2009, Jerry’s was personally invited to this private horse roping in Burns Oregon.

Archival Canvas            $435

    Crossroads Members Pay      $348

• 2007, Castle Rock area in Idaho

Archival Inkjet                 $395 

    Crossroads Members Pay       $316

• 2010, Elko Nevada during the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Georgie came through our booth and recited her poem, Housewife. Jerry asked permission to take her photograph & she agreed.  What she was really doing in this image was ….adjusting her dentures for a perfect shot!! 
• She was wasn’t happy with his timing, but delighted once she saw the picture.

Ranching

Archival Canvas            $400

    Crossroads Members Pay      $320

• 2010, a 3^rd generation rancher, Jeremy is riding Roan Annie and working with a young dog, whom his boys named, (to Jeremy’s embarrassment), “Snuggle Pup” to bring in a young Corriente bull.

Archival Canvas           $1,200

   Crossroads Members Pay      $960

• 2011, An early March blizzard in the Owyhee Desert was no fun.
• In the yellow slickers are a mother and her daughter bringing up the rear. Look closely between them…..the blur is one of the cattle dogs racing to do his job.

Archival Inkjet              $1,195

  Crossroads Members Pay     $956

• 2007, Bennett Mountain near Mountain Home Idaho

The Land

Ilfochrome                     $850   

   Crossroads Members Pay     $680

Archival Inkjet               $995

   Crossroads Members Pay     $796

• 2009, Helmville Montana
• We were on our way home from an art show in Kalispell, MT & decided to take a scenic route. We were in the area of Helmville with this massive storm coming over the mountains and this classic old barn….too good a photo op to pass up!

Archival Inkjet               $450

  Crossroads Members Pay      $360

• 2000, The rich golden lines of the grain field and the startling blue sky poised against the history of the old, but functional barn symbolized for Jerry the heart of Palouse Country.

Rodeo

Archival Canvas           $240      

   Crossroads Members Pay     $192 

• One of 3 images Jerry selected when he first went “REALLY BIG”
• The Story: This young Belgian draft horse at the 2003 National Western Stock Show in Denver was showing off for the team of Budweiser mares going past his corral….and Jerry was “in the way” at the fence….so the young stud was charging Jerry.  No one was hurt and the Budweiser ladies ignored the youngster.
• A smaller version of this image, #11/250, in a hand-wrought custom frame made by Jerry, took First Place at the 24^th Annual Wallowa Valley Festival of the Arts (June 2006) in Joseph, Oregon.

Archival Canvas           $75

  Crossroads Members Pay       $60

• 2001, Bruneau Rodeo, Idaho
• This image was originally printed and custom framed as part of the initial Rodeo Series.
• It was also one the 3 images Jerry selected when he decided to go REALLY BIG and created the unique size and framing as seen in the large Belgian Stud up for Raffle to benefit the Art Speak program hosted by Crossroads Art Center.
• This much larger version, Parting Ways, Artist Proof 1/10 is currently available separately from this show. A commission will be paid back to Crossroads if a sale occurs as a result of this show.

Archival Canvas            $75

   Crossroads Members Pay       $60

• 2002, Bruneau Rodeo
• This image was originally printed and custom framed as part of the initial Rodeo Series.

Archival Canvas              $75

    Crossroads Members Pay        $60

• 2002 at the Bruneau Rodeo
• It took us several years to find out who was this rider. Finally at a Cowboy Poetry event in Elko, we learned that “Jake the Snake” was the rider and was from the Reservation, where he sometimes spent part of the winter in the local jail. We eventually made contact and Jake now has his own print of this image.  Jake went on to learn horse dentistry.

Archival Inkjet, Sepia        $550

   Crossroads Members Pay         $440   

• 2002 at the Bruneau Rodeo
• It took us several years to find out who was this rider. Finally at a Cowboy Poetry event in Elko, we learned that “Jake the Snake” was the rider and was from the Reservation, where he sometimes spent part of the winter in the local jail. We eventually made contact and Jake now has his own print of this image.  Jake went on to learn horse dentistry.

Archival Inkjet, Sepia       $550

    Crossroads Members Pay        $440           

• one of the 10 works in the initial Rodeo Series. The only other one in the show from this initial series is “High Horse #1/250”
• 2004, Jordan Valley Rodeo.

   

Archival Inkjet                 $725

   Crossroads Members Pay        $580

• 2004, Jordan Valley Rodeo
• Take a good look at the rider and the horse. Now step over and take another look at the other image, in Sepia, call “Bareback Bronc Rider”
• Yep, you got it …. Same rider and horse … barely a second apart!
• This is the only one of Jerry’s rodeo images he decided to print in color rather than Sepia.

Archival Inkjet               $475

   Crossroads Members Pay     $380

• 2003, Mountain Home High School Rodeo
• This image was originally printed and custom framed as part of the initial Rodeo Series.
• As the rider went around the pole, her horse is laid way over, her foot almost touching the ground and her upper body perfectly positioned to counter-balance.

The whole audience gasped in silence as they saw how close this was and erupted into cheers and applause when she made it around.

Archival Inkjet, Sepia           $550

    Crossroads Members Pay             $440         

• one of the 10 works in the initial Rodeo Series. The only other one in this show from this initial series is “Bareback Bronc Rider #1/250”
• 2004, 4^th of July Indian Rodeo at Duck Valley Indian Reservation
• one of the 10 images in the initial Rodeo Series