An exciting September event...

Jackie and Mike Tompkins have very generously donated the Lakeside Events Center for AOTA's use over the Fall Festival weekend - September 19 & 20. Here's the deck:

The Fall Festival attracts a huge crowd and we'd like to have artists demonstrating and selling their work at this event. The more people demonstrating, the better! I know not all art lends itself to public demonstration and some folks aren't comfortable demonstrating - that's fine; you can still sell your work. However, if you can put on a show your work tends to sell better.

Here's a shot of the interior:

That's about 1/3 of the inside space. We can't put any holes in the walls, so 2D work will have to be on easels, or propped on the tables. There are several long, narrow tables around the perimeter of the room that aren't pictured. There's also a nice lighted bar in the back for display.

There were rumors the Fall Festival may be moved to the lake since Buffalo BBQ was so successful, however, Brad at the Chamber said it's not so; it will be in the town park. If the festival was on the lake I'd gladly do this show both days, but I'm leaning toward Saturday only. I want to hear from everyone interested - would you rather do it one or two days? A shorter day on Sunday is an option, too. If you're interested - please let me know as soon as possible. We'll go with whatever the majority wants - but I need to let Jackie know by August 8th.

There will be a 15% commission on all work sold - please write a check to AOTA at the end of the show.

This should be a fun show - and you can't beat the view!

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Patty
531-3439

Get-together this Saturday

I forgot to remind everyone we're getting together this Saturday morning at the Blue Water Bakery in Grand Lake at 9am. When you're going into town, turn right at the stop sign and it's a couple of doors down on the right.

A few people are going to go plein air painting afterwards. If you have any new work - please bring it along - we'd love to see it.

See you there,

Patty

Oil Painting Workshops in Grand Lake

There are two painting workshops in August in Grand Lake - how cool is that?

Join Kathryn A. McMahon from 12:30 - 3:30pm on August 12, 13 & 14 for either plein air or studio painting. Kathryn is a signature member of Women Artists of the West, International Plein Air Painters and Plein Air Artists Colorado.

Here's a sample of her work:

You can see more of her work here and there's more detailed info on the class here. Call or email Sheryl Dahman for more information and to register. 303-570-1671 or sheryladahman@yahoo.com.

The other August workshop is at Arts on Park avenue with Colorado artist Marston A. Jaquis at Arts on Park Ave. It's a four day plein air landscape workshops, with 4 hours of on-site instruction followed by a daily critique.

Workshop fee is $275 for the workshop alone, or $600 for the workshop and 5 nights of lodging (double occupancy) at the Gathering Place Cabins in Grand Lake.

The dates are August 2-7, with the following schedule:

Sunday: check-in & registration noon-5pm
6-7:30pm wine & cheese on the deck - get to know each other.
Monday - Thursday:
9:15am depart for selected site
10-2:30pm on site class & instruction
3:30-4:30 daily critique
Thursday 6-8:30pm farewell bbq
Friday morning - check out by noon

To register contact Karen Norberg at Arts on Park Ave. 941-623-3720.

Summer just gets too busy in the mountains and I'm sorry I missed posting Pem Dunn's opening at the Elkhorn Art Gallery in Winter Park. His work is beautiful.

The show will be up until August 9th.

Don't forget they now sell art supplies at Elkhorn. Gary is interested in supplying what you need and will work with you on the price. How nice to not have to go to Denver or order online - give him a call at 726-9292.

There's one more opening coming up - Elizabeth Kurtak is having a solo exhibition at her gallery in Fraser on Friday, July 24th from 6-10pm. You can see images of her work here. Call 531-0230 for more information.

Enjoy your summer - it's going fast!

Patty

Show Pictures and other odds and ends...

Steve Willis took photos for us at our opening reception:
Here's one of all the artists in the show:

Heidi McNinch had to leave early, so Martha is holding her beautiful mask in her place.

For the next two weeks you can view and download the photos here. Check out Steve's site, he does great work. Thanks for doing this, Steve!

Next week a few of us are getting together to discuss ways to improve the annual member show. One thing we'll have next time is a table for the artists to have their business cards and brochures on display. We'll also have a sheet or pamphlet with information about AOTA for people to take. We're aware of the noise issue at the club house - I believe they're working on that. We'd like to hear your ideas for improving the show and also anything that you particularly liked about the show - please send an email.

This show was so successful - we'd like to keep the momentum going by possible having another event in late September or early October. Any ideas? Donna and I don't want to be directing what we do - we're here to make sure what you want to do happens. So, we need to know what kind of events you'd like to have. Some ideas are a miniature show, a show of photography, plein air, a 3D show, etc. What floats your boat? Please let us know.

We now have AOTA bumper stickers and window stickers for sale for a suggested donation of $2. We also have gift certificates for sale - they go toward the artwork for sale in the show. Actually, they could be used for any member's artwork. They can be purchased from Marie, Donna or myself and we'll send the artist a check. A nice way to give a gift of art when you don't know exactly what the recipient wants.

We've been asked by several people why we don't have annual membership dues. This show went so well in large part because of some generous donations - if we had more money, we would have been able to do even more. At the same time Donna and I don't want to exclude any artist who can't afford membership dues. So, we've decided to accept donations in lieu of membership fees. If you'd like to make a donation, write a check to AOTA and mail it to Patty Alander, PO Box 1934, Granby, 80446.

I received a phone call from Missy Jennings - she has 6 round, marble pedestals about 3" tall and 10-12" in diameter she'd like to donate to an artist. She also has two 3' tall wood pedestals, 1 marble oval pedestal about 17" long and 8" wide and a beautiful Japanese porcelain figurine that needs a bit of repair. If you're interested in any of these please give her a call at 726-8994.

Also, Ginny Hinkle has an unused Glastar Glass Grinder model G3 which retails for $100 she's selling it for $80 (or best offer). You can reach her at 627-8584 or vhinkle927@gmail.com.

Don't forget to send us an email with ideas for next year's show and what you'd like to see happen in the future.

Thank you!

Patty

Wow! What an evening...

We couldn't have asked for a better turn out for our first show! The folks at the club house said over 300 people showed up. How exciting to see so much support for the visual arts in Grand County.

I've heard nothing but compliments from everyone who attended. The food was excellent and it was great to see everyone interested in our work.

Congratulations to Patty Ellis the "People's Choice" winner for her beautiful piece, "Ponderings".

"Ponderings"

Julia Grundmeir's "Lupine Morning" and Suzie Royce Cruse's book "Objects in Motion" tied for second place.

"Lupine Morning"

detail "Objects in Motion"

Donna Lyons' "Veils" came in third.
"Veils"

Everyone was impressed with the quality of work in the show. Five pieces have already sold. The show is up until the 23rd, so if you missed the opening, do yourself a favor and take a trip to Tabernash to see it before it comes down.

Thanks to everyone who helped put up the show and thanks to everyone who participated. Pat yourselves on the back - it's a great show!

Patty