Centennial Celebration Colorado National Monument

Colorado National Monument "Centennial Exhibition Show" contained works about the monument like  this pen and ink drawing.

The first Friday of 2011 was celebrated by two art shows held at Grand Junction City Hall.
The 100 year birthday of the Colorado National Monument marked one of its special events, "Centennial Art Exhibition," with a display of the show on the second floor. This exhibition will be moved next door to the County Building April 1.
On the first floor, three local artists brought together a showing of their works. Betty Roy Pitts, Fran Born and Maya Nichols are the featured artists for the first quarter of 2011.
Be sure to visit these shows.

Betty Roy Pitts shows off one of
her watercolors.

Featured artist at City Hall, Maya
Nichols

A huge crowd came to see the shows and hear about the top four winners in the juried Monument show.

Suzie Garner, Vera Mulder and Felicia Sabartinelli-Abeyta juried the show. The Monument staff then proceeded to pick their top four choices.

Joan Alzemo, Monument Superintendent, announced the winners.  Marea Ross received Best of Show, Rose Nordenburg, a first place, Fred Honehell placed second with Steve Traut earning third.

A People's choice award will be given at the end of the showing in the County Building. The public may vote for their choice either by coming to the City Hall and leaving a ballot or by voting on line at one of the following addresses: 

www.coloralonma.org    or   http://www.micropoil.com/a/mpview/1060881-386209

Vote as often as you would like.

Fran Born shows off her creativity.

Seth Anderson stands in front of his
art work chosen for the Colorado
National Monument  Show

John Lintott's oil paintin 

The Monument art Display was crowded
on opening night.

 Superintendent Joan Amzelmo and Michele Wheatly of the Colorado National Monument award first place to Rose Nordenburg for her exquisite pen and colored ink work.

Steve Trauht looks at his
wonderful photo of
bicycles in the monument.
His photo printed on canvas placed third.

Best of show was awarded to Marea Ross.

Second place winner Fred Honchell poised with his wife who
was very proud of him.

The poster for the centennial Celebration is on sale now for
all Monument Fans to remember this special event.

Blue Pig celebrates 3rd birthday.

 appy-Hay irthday-Bay!!!!!
June 19 marked a special day in the life of the famous Blue Pig Art Gallery located  at 119 W 3rd Street, Palisade, Colorado.
This unique gallery is built around its artist cooperative. After being approved, Artists rent a space, if available, to show their works and work one day a month at the gallery as they help maintain this treasure.
Owned by Ivan and Jane Woods and Marla Woods, the gallery has brought new life to Palisade's Main Street. With this vitality, other businesses have dovetailed on the creative spirit.
Local artists proudly support this business.
Here's to Palisade and its support for the arts and to the Woods family for nurturing this spirit.

Photos related to information on Mesa state Senior Art Show

March 26 marks the open showing of art works by Mesa State art students. Included with the big showing of these works are the senior works displayed in the middle gallery of Grand Junction's Western Colorado Center for the arts. Don't miss the show.

New Art Show at Pablo" Pizza in Kokopelli Center, Fruita.

Where ever you are, you owe it to yourself to treat yourself to a great meal, and in this case, a treat for the artistic side each of us has. Ted Okey owner of Pablo's Pizza, has been most supportive of the arts by offering his walls to local artists. The new show is work by Melissa Wesnidge. Melissa has displayed her paintings and a portrait on clay. Her ceramics are equally as great, though not displayed here.
Melissa's thoughts about her art are evident in her artist's statement as follows:

"My art is an expression of life through color and movement. I love color and its influence over our emotions and mood. I live for that small line of red, it’s a finishing touch that has the power to excite and inspire me. Color can change the way you feel instantly without the use of words and I find that incredible and very useful in art. I tend to paint the figure because I think people are extremely interesting. Our eyes alone hold more secrets than we probably care to admit and when I paint someone I hope to express my impression of their secret world. Their thoughts which I never will fully understand connect us still and that is why I paint. It connects me to people even for the briefest of life’s moments.

I’m a Colorado native, growing up in the Grand Valley. I attended Mesa State College and received a Bachelors of Fine Art. There I matured my love for oil painting and also found a passion for ceramics. I make functional pottery on the wheel as well as painting portraits with glazes on slabs for wall pieces. I love to work with my hands, building and creating, alive in the oil and dirt."

Melissa Wesnidge 970-623-4448 wesnidgeartworks@yahoo.com

Nina Williams Class on hand built ceramics changed in date and location.

If any of you have seen the incredible hand made ceramics by Nina Williams, from Southwestern flavored to contemporary jewelry, functional and non functional pottery, wall hangings and her wonderfully textured tile pieces, you will not want to miss this opportunity. As a special favor to Fruita's Arts and Culture Board, Nina will be teaching her magic beginning September 16. The location is the art room at Fruita Middle School. All tools used to create the works will be furnished. Nina has quite a collection. She will provide englobes and stains as well. The class will run for 8 weeks, meeting each Wednesday from 5:30 to 8:30. The class is open to no more than six students, so it is first come, first serve. There will be a fee of
$75.00 and $10 or $12 for clay. This is a special class, you do not want to miss this great opportunity.
Presently you may find Nina's work displayed at the Gateway Canyons Cafe, the restaurant. Her work is on display in the gift shop at the Western Colorado Center for the Arts. You may have seen her work at the Art Center's Christmas Carnival. Call 314 1245 for more information.