Governor’s Art Show brings works from the best Colorado artists to Loveland Museum
[ad_1]
The 2022 Governor’s Art Show kicks off on Saturday at the Loveland Museum with a variety of art works from the best artists around Colorado that are sure to catch the eye and admiration of art fans, as well as art novices, of all ages.
The show features four works by 60 artists from around Colorado including Denver, Peyton, Boulder and La Junta.
This year’s show features works from 10 new artists such as Nancee Jean Busse from Grand Junction, Bryce Pettit from Durango and Jared Brady from Woodland Park.
Pieces range from abstract oil paintings to bronze sculptures and many other interesting and unique works in between.
“I put together the catalogue so I get to see the pieces before anyone else, but looking at them on your computer screen and then seeing them in person, there’s such a difference,” show board memberCraig Van Wechel said. “I love the spectrum that the show is now offering.”
One of the things that make the Governor’s Art Show stand out from other shows across the U.S. is that it only features work by Colorado artists. The event is also the state’s largest juried art show dedicated to Colorado artists.
“We have a jury process so in the fall, we open up our site to anyone who is interested in submitting paintings or sculptures,” Van Wechel explained “Then we collect all that information and select a jury of five to six people who aren’t necessarily from around here. This year we have a couple of artists and art collectors that are from out of state and they go through and score the pieces. Then we take the top scoring people for the show.”
Landscape painter Carol Jenkins, from Ward, a small town in the Rocky Mountains, will be featuring her painting, “A Morning Walk,” oil on canvas, at the show. Jenkins’ work can be seen in galleries throughout Colorado, Utah and Connecticut.
Victoria Parsons, a sculptor from Parker will also be displaying some of her works at the show. Parsons is known for her use of the rare Colorado bristlecone pine and burl combined with bronze wildlife sculptures. Her piece, “Dinner Flight,” mixed bronze and wood, depicting an owl ready for takeoff will be on display during the event.
Jane Hunt, a painter based in Boulder, is returning to the show with four pieces including her “Colorado Splendor” oil on canvas painting. Hunt has been painting for more than 30 years.
“I like the variety in this show. I feel like it is the best of Colorado and as you can see, it is eclectic in a sophisticated way,” Hunt said. “I think art in Colorado is taking a slightly more contemporary edge. It’s representational and the western genre from before is branching out.”
Each year organizers choose an artist to honor as the year’s Legacy Artist. For 2022, the committee chose painter James Biggers from Estes Park for that honor. Biggers graduated from Central State University in Oklahoma with a fine arts degree and has traveled throughout the United States, Africa, Europe, Central America and Mexico.
“The committee looks for artists who have excelled in their careers and who will be an inspiration to up and coming artists,” explained John Kinkade with the Thompson Valley Rotary, one of the show’s producers. “James in an incredibly talented artist, and we are proud to honor him as our Legacy Artist this year. James’ work is highly coveted throughout the world.”
Biggers uses the skills he has developed over his travels and career to portray what he calls “the heart of the painting” in each of his works. The committee chose his oil on canvas painting titled, “January Day,” to display at this year’s show.
Biggers is also the only artist that has been in every single show over the past 31 years, Van Wechel added.
In addition to viewing amazing artwork, visitors to the show have the opportunity to purchase pieces.
Attendees at the show’s gala on Friday, April 22 will have the chance at first dibs on purchasing pieces before the sale opens up to the public on Saturday, April 23.
People interested in purchasing pieces can purchase art pieces online at www.governorsartshow.org or in-person at the museum.
“Everything hangs or is displayed until the end of the show on May 22. And then the last day, anybody that has purchased pieces can come get their stuff,” Van Wechel said.
One-third of the show’s net proceeds will be donated to the Thompson Education Foundation’s Homeless Assistance Fund. The organization works to provide education stability, success and support to students and their families who may be experiencing homelessness. In 2021/22, the Thompson School District has more than 800 students who qualified for assistance.
Since 2016, the art show has donated more than $71,000 to the foundation.
Money raised will also be donated toward scholarships for local art students.
Scholarship recipients for 2022 are Dylan Goode from Mountain View High School, Kennedy Inman from Loveland High School and Lexin Reinsmith from Thompson Valley High School.
The scholarship winners will receive $2,000 to use at a school of their choice.
“The Governor’s Art Show encourages investment by recognizing current Colorado artists, displaying the work of Colorado students, and providing scholarships for developing young artists,” Gov. Jared Polis wrote in the show’s catalogue. “Importantly, this investment is fundamental to growing and supporting the art industry which contributes $13.7 billion to the Colorado economy as a whole.”
The show is scheduled to run through Sunday, May 22. The public will have an opportunity to meet some of the artists featured in the show at artist meet and greet events from 2-4 p.m. every Saturday throughout the exhibit’s duration.
If you go:
What: 2022 Governor’s Art Show
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday
Where: Loveland Museum, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., Loveland
Cost: $7 for visitors age 13 and older, visitors age 12 and younger and museum members are free
For more information, go to www.thelovelandmuseum.org or www.governorsartshow.org.
[ad_2]
Source link
