Upcoming Gatherings

Our next gathering is this Saturday at Streamside Art in Granby from 9-11am. Corinne Lively will talk about creating a digital portfolio and Patty Madison will give tips on photographing artwork. You don't want to miss this - it should be very informative!

Our March gathering will be on Thursday, the 26th from 5:30-7:30pm at Caroline's Cuisine. If anyone is interested in setting up a blog of their own, I'll bring my laptop and show you just how easy it is.

We're trying to get a September open studio tour going, if you're interested please email me at palander@rkymtnhi.com or call 627-0517, or email Donna Lyons at onahu@rkymtnhi.com or call her at 627-8523. If you don't have a studio but would like to participate, please let us know and we'll find a space you can share with other artists. We'd like to know if there is interest by March 15th to know if we should proceed.

Don't forget to check our blog to keep up to date on everything that's going on!

Hope to see you on Saturday,

Patty Alander

Coming up at Circle H

This Thursday, February 26th at the Circle H the musical entertainment is Trisha Leone & Mickey Sandora of “3 Time Lucky”.

The visual artist is John Elliot working with “Trashy Thangs”. He works with recycled drywall, drywall mud, and paint. He does some amazing things with it - it should be a very interesting show. His work will be on display Thursday - Sunday. He also did some of the cool faux painting on the walls at the Circle H.

If you have the chance you should check out these "Audio & Visual Enlightenment" events. They attract a large crowd - it's a fun evening.

The doors open at 5pm and the music starts at 5:30. Circle H has a full bar, a barista, and snacks. They're located at 6732 Hwy. 34 on Lake Granby. For more information, call April at 531-1267.

Here's one more picture of John's work:

Don't forget - 2 great events tonight...

You have your choice of going to the Lisa Tarr & Justin Matott book signing, click here for the details, or the latest Audio Visual Entertainment event at the Circle H Lodge, details are here.

Either way, please get out and support the arts! You'll have a great time, too.

Ready to show your work?

The Hilton's are looking for artists for their Thursday night Audio Visual Events at the Circle H Lodge.

Next Thursday, the 26th, Trisha Leone and Mickey Sandora of Three Time Lucky are playing and they have a great following. Would you like to be part of the show?

These events have been very popular and you'd have a good sized audience to show and sell your work. April would like to have someone in place so she can have fliers ready to give out at this week's show. Give her a call at 531-1267 or send an email glass@rkymtnhi.com.

Picturing America Series event at Juniper Library

At 6:30 P.M.On Wednesday, February 18th, an informal discussion for interested adults regarding some of the works currently on display from the Picturing America Series will be held at the Juniper Library in Grand Lake. Artist's works which will be discussed will include Thomas Hart Benton, Dorothea Lange, Romare Bearden, and Jacob Lawrence, all of whom were part of the WPA Project involving the arts.

Jeanne Kafer will be the facilitaor of the discussion.

Alpine ArtAffair is looking for local artists

I received the following from the organizers of the ArtAffair - please be sure to email them if you're interested. It would be quite a cost savings and a lot less hassle setting up if a group of locals got to share one big tent.

The Winter Park Alpine ArtAffair is scheduled for July 25-26. The 36th annual event is a favorite summer activity of locals, second homeowners, and tourists. The juried art show also features local non-profit organizations and entertainment (and is organized/run entirely by volunteers). Proceeds from the 2-day event benefit local art/music/theater students, schools, and arts organizations.

The Alpine ArtAffair would like to encourage more local artist involvement and is considering this year having a special "locals" area that would feature local artists/interests. This area could feature artists sharing booths, possibly a "large" tent area with multiple artists, and single booths--perhaps all at reduced fees. If there is interest shown by local artists, the Alpine ArtAffair committee will pursue this avenue further. Please visit the Alpine ArtAffair website at www.alpineartaffair.com or email alpineartaffair@yahoo.com. Applications may be downloaded from the website and are due April 30.

Another event for this Thursday

When I started this blog I envisioned doing 1 or 2 posts a week - there's a lot happening lately!

This Thursday, the 19th, at 6 pm local artist Lisa Tarr will join author Justin Matott for a book signing at Grand Lake Elementary school. Justin has written numerous books and Lisa illustrated two of them. On her website tarrart.com, Lisa describes Justin as being one of the funniest men she knows, so this should be an entertaining evening. Here's a link to his site: justinmatott.com.

Teacher Angie Brown got a grant for this event and the Grand Lake Rotary is offering a free chili dinner. Please call Angie at 627-3466 to RSVP for the dinner if you're going to attend.

An easy way for us to help the hungry in the county...

At the end of last year, Greeley artist Annie Surbeck donated a beautiful, framed original watercolor to be awarded to the winner of a drawing at the Grand Lake Art Gallery. In order to be entered into the drawing, you had to donate two items to the Mountain Family Center Food Bank. This was a very successful event for the food bank - it generated 12 large boxes full of donated food.

I thought this was such a great idea then and now I think it would be wonderful if AOTA members continued this throughout the year. I'll start by donating one of my carved vases.
Since I'm starting mid-month, I'll go through the end of March. Donna Lyons volunteered for April. If you're interested in being the May artist, please let me know or call Liza at the gallery 627-3104.

If you'd like to donate some food and get into the drawing, bring at least two (more would be better!) non-perishable food items to the Grand Lake Art Gallery at 1117 Grand Avenue in Grand Lake. Any donations are appreciated, however, they are in dire need of the following:

• Mac & cheese
• Soups
• Tuna or hamburger helper
• Rice
• Spaghetti
• Ramen noodles
• Peanut butter
  

For more information call the gallery at 627-3104.

Co-op Meeting Reminder

If you're interested in being a part of this new co-op opportunity, don't forget the organizational meeting is tomorrow, the 15th, at noon.

In case you missed it the first time, here are the details:

The Brooks Gallery is looking for artists to join an artisans co-operative in Grand Lake. Base rent and commission will be based on footage. We are looking for unique, local, original, handmade art or crafts. Our goal is to give artist an affordable place to show and sell their art and to have the gallery manned by local artists whenever it is open. We will be featuring every artist on a rotating basis every weekend throughout the summer months. Working members can have classes or work live when they are working at the gallery at no additional cost. If the artist does not want to work at the gallery there will be a consignment program also.

For complete details, please email gallery@brooksphotography.com, or call 627-8347, or show up for the organizational meeting on February 15th at NOON at the Brooks Gallery, 1036 Grand Avenue, above the Grand Lake Emporium with a sample of your art.

Next Up at Circle H

It's exciting to see how the Hilton's "Audio Visual Event Nights" have taken off. This Thursday, the 19th, they're featuring music by Tight Like That with Lynnea Godfriaux on flute and vocals, Brad Pregeant on piano and vocals, and Patrick Brower on drums.

Gail and Lenny Brooks will have their photography, pottery and jewelry on display.

Horse Pals by Lenny Brooks

Pottery by Gail Brooks

You can see more of their work on their website: www.brooksphotography.com/

Circle H is located at 6732 Hwy. 34 on Lake Granby. Doors open at 5pm and the event is from 5:30-7:30 pm. The cost is $5 Adults and $2 Students. This week they're offering a door prize of a $50 gift certificate for Caroline's Cuisine! Circle H has a full cash bar, snacks & barista. For more information call April at 531-1267 or visit www.circlehretreat.com.

Elizabeth Kurtak's opening...

...was really nice. There was a good crowd, delicious food, and her paintings look great. Looks like she sold quite a few, too!

If you're thinking it might be about time to start showing your work, the Fraser Valley Library is a perfect place for your first show (not that this was Beth's first show!). The staff is extremely helpful. They have a good-sized mailing list for their shows and generally attract a crowd.

Beth's work will be on display until the end of the month.

You can also see her work at her gallery in Fraser in the old Mercantile Building. Just give her a call to make an appointment at 531-0230. Her website is www.Kurtak.com.

Another event for this Thursday

April and Ken Hilton are hosting another "Audio & Visual Enlightenment" show tomorrow night at the Circle H Lodge at 6732 Hwy. 34, Granby. They're featuring the music of Steve Cormey and jewelry by Nona and Janzy Crane of The Coulter House in Granby. The event is from 5:30-7:30 and doors open at 5pm.

Here are a few pictures of their beautiful Jewelry:

Above bracelet by Janzy
Pendant by Nona
Necklace by Janzy

For more information, you can contact April at glass@rkymtnhi.com. Do try to attend; I hear their last one was a huge success.

Streamside Art...

...is closing. This is such sad news for the art community. Corinne has been a strong supporter of the arts and a huge help to all of us artists. She's so helpful she is still going to host our February meeting on the 28th from 9-11 am even though she's closing. Here's a copy of the letter she's sending out:

February 10, 2009

Dear ,

Thank you for the pleasure of your business.

We will always treasure fond memories of the beautiful works of art you brought us, the smiles you left us, and the joy of being part of the Grand County business community.

The economy, the grandkids, and the ever-growing list of things to do and see have brought me to the decision to close Streamside Art April 30^th.

As a preferred customer we are offering you the opportunity to take advantage of our "Celebrating Four Great Years" specials before our broadcast mailing next week.

INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNING CUSTOM PICTURE FRAMING

• We will be accepting framing orders until March 15th

• Take advantage of your last opportunity to have our Certified Picture Framers give your artwork the best design, materials and craftsmanship.
• Need a little extra incentive? How about 30% off our in stock mouldings and mats.

ART SUPPLIES

• 40% off art supplies in stock

• 15% off + free freight on special orders

IN STOCK MERCHANDISE

• Readymade frames from $5.00 - $69.00

• Unframed posters and prints - $1.00

• All of our framed artwork has been marked down for quick sale.

Come celebrate with us, we look forward to seeing you!

Yours truly,

Corinne Lively

We wish everyone at Streamside all the best in their future endeavors - you'll be sorely missed!

Donna Lyons' trading cards

Donna gave a fun demo at the Grand Lake Art Gallery last night. It's always interesting to watch another artist at work.

She brought several of her beautiful journals, works of art on their own:


Here's one of her trading cards:

Hard to believe this little beauty is only 2" x 3"!

It's wonderful that Liza and Jim host these events at their gallery. I really appreciate all the support they give to the local art scene.

This evening's art event

Donna Lyons will be creating and talking about artist trading cards at the Grand Lake Art Gallery today from 4-6 pm. These trading cards are not only traded among artists like baseball cards, they're also sold. They're about the same size as baseball cards - it can be a lot of fun working in miniature. Donna is a wonderful artist and she's a lot of fun to be around, too!

Upcoming art events

There are a few events I'd like to share with you and encourage you to attend. Elizabeth Kurtak is having a show at the Fraser Valley Library in February, with an opening on Thursday, the 12th from 6:30 -7:30 pm.

Her opening is being catered by the Mountain Rose Cafe. It should be a fun time - art events at the library usually are.

Elizabeth has one of the best gardens in the valley and it's so evident in her paintings. Check out her website http://kurtak.com/ to see a picture of her garden and more of her paintings.

On Saturday, February 28th, our new art coalition, Art Out of Thin Air is having their monthly gathering at Streamside Art in Granby. Corinne Lively is going to talk about creating a digital portfolio and Patty Madison will give tips on photographing your artwork. It's from 9 - 11 am and coffee and refreshments will be served.

We're very excited about Art Out of Thin Air! We've had 4 gatherings so far and are tickled with the number of artists showing an interest. We've had between 20 and 40 people at each event. Keep checking out our blog to see what's going on.

In March we're going to meet at Caroline's Cuisine in Grand Lake on the 26th from 5:30-7:30 pm. Our April gathering will be hosted by April Hilton at the Circle H Lodge on Lake Granby. It's on the 30th from 5:30-7:30 pm. As a general rule our gatherings are held on either the last Thursday or last Saturday of the month.

Do check us out! There's a lot of sharing of information, artwork and ideas at these AOTA events. We're working on an open studio tour in September and our first members show, possibly this summer.

Karla Jean Booth's opening

We had a great time at Caroline's last night for Karla's opening! Quite a few people showed up and enjoyed her photography - it was a nice crowd.


She takes amazing close-up photos of snowflakes. They say no two snowflakes are alike and given the variety and number of photos she has it may be true!

This is the one I own:


I love it! She has many beautiful shots of just one flake, however, I like this one because it looks like they're all dancing on the deck rail. Here's a link to her website: http://www.realsnowflakephotography.com/

Her opening was sponsored by the Grand Arts Council and hosted by Caroline's Cuisine in Grand Lake. Caroline's is a great place for an art show, and as usual, JC put out a huge spread of delicious appetizers. Karla's work will be on display until the end of the month.

Welcome to Art Out of Thin Air's...

...new blog to keep people current on all the visual arts activities in the county.

We're going through a few changes and will be moving away from the web site and newsletter to communicate, so we've created this blog. We had originally created it last Saturday as a test on another site, but will paste those posts onto this blog so you'll know what to expect. The posting dates will be off, but you'll see what was happening last week.

Our hope is that this blog will be a way to communicate all aspects of the visual arts in the county and nearby areas. We want this blog to be a two way street - so please let us know what's up in your art world.

We want to hear about shows you're doing - send pics of your work so we can include them in the blog.

We also want to hear about any art activities that you think will be of interest to other artists in the county.

Feel free to comment on the posts, too.

-Patty Alander and Donna Lyons