Art Matters: Winter 2023

ART MATTERS

Family Health West was built from the ground up by our community – settled with health and prosperity in mind. Today, we look forward to the future, approaching new horizons in healthcare while taking forward that same spirit of dreaming to create a beautiful tomorrow we all believe is possible.

FHW.org/Rose

Hello Art Center members and patrons,

I was recently reflecting on this past autumn season and how beautiful it was this year. We are so fortunate to live in an area where we are able to enjoy nature and rarely need to cancel a planned activity because of weather. Having grown up in Minnesota, I never take this for granted. I am an outdoor enthusiast, and, like many, moved to the Grand Valley for the endless opportunities to recreate. One thing I have come to realize, however, is that a person cannot survive on outdoor adrenaline alone. The soul needs balance and fulfillment in other areas to be complete. For me, that balance comes in the area of the arts. As blessed as we are with our natural surroundings in the Grand Valley, we are equally fortunate to have a place like The Art Center here in Grand Junction to achieve that “soulful balance.”

During my tenure on the Board of Trustees, I have become more keenly aware of how much effort, dedication, and care it takes to keep our fine institution vibrant. So many people, past and present, have given generously and tirelessly to keep The Art Center solvent as we enter our 70th year of existence. For this, I am extremely grateful. This coming year, the Board of Trustees wants to ensure the completion of the project list to improve and maintain our building and grounds. Some of these projects will be covered by the remaining funds that were raised from the capital campaign. In addition, we hope to secure pay raises for our hard-working staff to help them keep up with the rate of inflation. These aspirations will require an increase in our operating funds. We will be working to secure sponsorships and grants to help cover some of these costs. However, individual donations make up the largest portion of our budget, and without the generosity of our members/patrons, these goals cannot be met.

I humbly ask each and every one of you to consider an end-of-year/ holiday financial gift to The Art Center to help us accomplish these goals. However big or small, each donation is important and appreciated. Finally, we will be rolling out our new membership packages in the beginning of 2023. We will have several exciting options to renew your membership and support your Art Center.

Happy Holidays! And thank you for your unwavering dedication to the Arts.

Michael Neste, Board President

Our Mission: The Art Center of Western Colorado is a regional arts organization dedicated to enriching lives by promoting the enjoyment and understanding of the arts.

Board of Trustees

Dr. Michael Neste –President

David Price – Vice President

Anita Pisciotte – Secretary

Terri Chinn – Treasurer

Gisela Ferguson

Elizabeth Fogarty

Jennifer Foster

Jerry Gryglak

Ajay Gustafson

Lynne O'Connell

Sheri Ray Mykan White

Cathy Zippert – Art Center Guild President

Art Center Staff

Lee Borden

Executive Director

Matt Jones

Curator, Programs & Exhibitions

Rachel Egelston

Director of Youth Education & Art for All Terry Shepherd

Artist-in-Residence, Ceramics Director

Damien Sweet

Membership & Gift Gallery Coordinator Haley Van Camp Design and Communications Manager Charley Gordon Facilities Manager & Exhibition Preparator Anna Walters

Accounting Sarah Dishong Gift Gallery

Art Center Hours

9am to 4pm Tuesday through Saturday Admission $3 (free to members and children under 12) There is no charge to visit the Gift Gallery Contact Us: 970-243-7337 | gjartcenter.org Operational

Tuesdays

Help us build a FOUNDATION

Are you wondering how to leave a permanent legacy to ensure that The Art Center of Western Colorado continues to be an important hub for regional artists and art students? Would you like to ensure that our extraordinary collection of regional, Western, and Native American art continues to be shared with gallery visitors?

Our Art Center Foundation Endowment Fund is asking for donations of principal in the form of grants and bequests to invest to provide a continuous source of funding for all the programs The Art Center offers.

There are many ways to accomplish this – through wills, beneficiary agreements, and outright grants.

Do you want more information? Contact Gayle Gerson (Endowment Foundation Board President) at gaylestarr48@gmail.com.

Al Nestler, Andoran Village, detail

Thank you to our major supporters!

Galler y sponsors:

Gould Galler y - Chuck & Robbie Breaux

Studio Colorado - Dr. Michael Neste & Family Health West Nor th Galler y - Timberline Bank Atrium Galler y - Your Name Here Kephart Galler y - Your Name Here

E xhibition 2022 sponsors:

Chuck and Kendra McDaniel Dean and Mary Harris Chuck and Patti Shear / Shear Inc The Ron Beckman Estate Bernie and Mary Beth Buescher

Friend, Supporter, Champion, and Title Supporters:

Judy and Don Allerheiligen

Barbara Alpha

Kay & Lee Ambrose

Robert Armstrong

Judith & Dr. Stephen Axthelm

Laura May Bacon

Chuck & Robbie Breaux

Lynn Brownson

Bernie and Mary Beth Buescher

George & Judy Callison

Terri Chinn

Gaynell & Doug Colaric

Karen Combs

Steve and Sibylle Doyle

Patricia Feinberg

William Findlay

Jeremy R Franklin

Harry & Joanie Griff

Jack Griggs

Glen & Evelyn Haley

Dean & Mary Harris

Jill & Bill Hilty

Carolyn Jayne

Robert & Lou Jenkins

Anita Johnson

Ken Johnson

Melissa & Phil Jones

Pat Kephart

Karen & Dennis Kiefer

Ruth & Terry Leever

Luis & Maggie Lopez

Mark & Karen Madsen

Bob & Kathy Martin

Linda McBride

Roger and Martha McCoy

Terry McDaneld

Chuck & Kendra McDaniel

Jean McIntyre

Janet McRae

Juliah Menconi Don Meyers

Bill Milius

Carole Moritz

Donald Neal

Gloria Nedved

Clifford & Judith Neste Dr. Michael Neste Lynne O'Connell

Carol Oglesby Brian & Joyce Olson Sharyl & Bob Peterson

Anita Pisciotte

Peggy Pretti

Tony & Sally Prinster

Jonathan Purdy Beck Ritter

Sue Samuelson

Pam Scala

Dick & Sharon Scariano

Carole Sneddon

Jim Sebela & Nina Williams

Chuck & Patti Shear

Gail and Barry Tuohig

Paul & Bonnie Van Camp

Judy Vanderleest & Andy Kelley

Georgie Weir

Cheryl and Dan Wenzinger

Del & Joe Wharton

George Wheeler

Carolyn White & Robert Noble

Mykan White & Dr. Caleb Stepan Holly Wilson

Wilson Family Lawrence Wild Dr. Tonya Wren

Advanced Skin Care and Laser Center LLC

Alpine Bank The Art Center Guild

The Art Quilt Association Chamberline Architects

The Christi Reece Group Colorado Creative Industries

City of GJ Commission on Arts and Culture Family Health West Grand Valley Books Grand Valley Creative Alliance

Harold & Ruth Moss Charitable Foundation Home Loan & Investment McBride Family Foundation

Omega Realty

Peggy Foster Estate

The Ron Beckman Estate Timberline Bank WCCA Endowment Foundation

William & Mai Robinson Charitable Trust

For 24 hours, Colorado comes together to raise funds for local nonprofits, and we’re excited to be part of the day! On Colorado Gives Day, we’ll be celebrating our accomplishments and making good things happen for the arts in our community. We invite you to join us by helping us share the news about Colorado Gives Day and invite your family, friends, and your personal network to participate. Every gift is taxdeductible and helps us improve quality of life through the arts – a

mission more vital now than ever before. This day of giving is one of the many ways you can make a real difference. We look forward to having you join us for this special campaign. Together, we can make the world a better place for the Grand Junction area and beyond.

To donate through Colorado Gives, visit coloradogives.org/organization/ TheArtCenter

Art in the Valley

Opening of Orbit Art Space

Orbit is conveniently located at 138 S Park Square in downtown Fruita and serves as a neighbor to brewpubs, coffee houses, and handcrafted pizza. Its opening reception was buzzing with energy. Artists and patrons sipped lime water and engaged in pleasant conversation with artworks lining the walls, shelves, and pedestals as they made their way around the room.

The artwork is sleek and contemporary which offsets the nostalgia of the architecture – rustic wood flooring and classical brick

facade. The owner, Garrett Day, has a keen eye and strong intuition for aesthetics. His choice of artists brings together a powerful display of some of the most well-known artists in the region such as Charlie Hardy, John Anglim, Justin Squire, Roger McCoy, Ashtonn Means, Wayne Petefish, AJ Schlechten, Ami Purser, Devan Penniman, Ajay Gustafson, Inger Nova Jorgenson, Erin Marner, and many more. This is a destination to see. Orbit invites patrons to join them every fourth Friday for opening receptions.

SHEPHERD + 1

Pots of Purpose + Lost and Found: An Exhibition of Ceramics by Terry Shepherd and Photography and Mixed Media by John Anglim

December 2, 2022, to January 21, 2023

Sponsored by Chuck and Patti Shear/ Shear Inc.

Opening reception Friday, December 2, 2022, 6:30-9pm

Terry Shepherd, The Art Center’s Director of Ceramics, has led The Art Center’s ceramic studio since 1984. With a career spanning over 50 years, he is a highly respected ceramic artist and educator and has studied and worked with Paul Soldner and many other accomplished ceramic artists. Before moving back to Grand Junction in 1983, Shepherd

developed and worked out of his first studio in El Jebel, Colorado, from 1972 to 1983. Each year in December Shepherd exhibits new work alongside a selected guest artist. This year Shepherd has invited John Anglim to exhibit with him. Anglim is an accomplished photographer and mixed media artist and has resided in Grand Junction for over 22 years.

Terry Shepherd

Shepherd’s part of the exhibit features a wide variety of mainly functional vessel forms and platters in reduction high-fired stoneware and porcelain. A major part of the exhibited work are nonfunctional forms, some altered out of symmetry, of a more subtle sculptural stance inspired by natural forms such as river rock, and stylized figurative contours. Shepherd fires much of his work in alternative firing processes such as low-fire salt vapor, Raku, and saggar firing. His use and interpretation of firing process is extensive, and his high curiosity and pursuit of serendipitous results leads him to take risks and embrace alternative firing. His

personal approach to firing some work includes deliberate placement of pieces in the direct flame path in the kiln where vapors from sodium and copper and iron metal oxides result in sublime and dramatic embellishment as a record of the flame path drama and lush shading of the vapors and reduced copper. The contrasting colors of Shepherd’s over/under glazes and stains combined with his gestural brush strokes form a counterpoint to the energy of his throwing and the altered symmetry of thrown forms. His functional work is a testament to his demands for high craftmanship and celebration of gestural brushwork in design and color.

John Anglim

“I like the work to communicate a personal and visual language of the maker and firing process, while celebrating the strength and essence of form and the lively spirit of clay and its ability to dress up, titillate, or heighten senses and embellish life as enhanced by the hand! I especially like to embrace the unexpected, spontaneous, and serendipitous results of the firing process as it can embellish the work beyond my intent! Such is the nature of the morphology of clay from such a mundane material as earthen clay and the amazing journey through hand shaping and firing to a finished ceramic composition of color, texture and form!”

Shepherd’s work is in many private collections nationwide as well as Mexico and in public collections including the Soldner Center

for Art and Innovation (Aspen), Colorado Mesa University (Grand Junction), and The Art Center (Grand Junction). He is represented by Penryn Gallery (Penryn, California), The Blue Pig Gallery (Palisade, Colorado), Tuscarora Pottery School and Retreat (Tuscarora, Nevada), and Ago Gallery (Ouray, Colorado).

This past year Shepherd has conducted two workshops: March 11-14, 2022. World Stoke International Symposium in Penryn, California. Four-day Raku and low-fire salt vapor firing. July 7-13, 2022. Tuscarora Pottery School and Retreat in Tuscarora, Nevada. Six-day Native clay prospecting and pit-firing workshop.

Shepherd says, “I’m pleased and honored to have John Anglim show with me. I’ve known John and his wife Diane for many years and have admired John’s work in

John Anglim

Terry Shepherd

photography and mixed media throughout these years. He seems to have an uncanny mind and eye for juxtaposing found objects in new spatial orientations to communicate a new and exciting context of form. I get a sense of irony and newfound discovery in seeing his work at times! It’s exciting to anticipate a large sampling of what John’s been up to over the last few years. I’m grateful to John for the energy and initiative it takes to present a large body of work for a major exhibit such as we stage every year. If you’re not very familiar with his work, come on by and check it out and enjoy a visual feast to be sure!”

John Anglim is an award-winning artist, photographer and designer who works in a variety of media. His work has appeared nationally in such publications as PhotoMethods, Creativity, American Institute of Graphic Arts, Arts & Crafts, and Art Directions. He was formerly the Creative Director for Grand Valley Magazine and operates Resource Design, a graphic design and marketing firm. He is a member of the Rocky Mountain Collage Society and a signature member of the National Collage Society. His work is in the permanent collections of Colorado Mesa University, St. Mary’s Hospital, MarillacHealth, and Mesa County Public Library, as well as numerous other private and corporate collections.

“As a collage and assemblage artist, I like to explore the use of objects,

texture, color, and degraded surfaces. I love the "happy accidents" that happen when disparate objects come together in a way to create something new from something old or discarded. In addition to the artistic aspect of the work that I hope creates a dialogue of surprise, and mystery, there is definitely satisfaction in using recycled and re-purposed materials. It's nice to know that these items find new life as part of a piece of art. Those of us who love to prowl junkyards in search of treasures enjoy actually taking stuff back from scrapyards and returning it to the world.

“Most of my photography focuses on textures and spontaneous compositions, and, again, the exploration of degraded surfaces that intrinsically carry a narrative of the passage of time and echoes from another era. I love to capture something special in unexpected places. It’s a way of seeing the world and finding beauty in the mundane, the imperfect, and the ordinary. The Japanese call it wabi sabi, and I confess to being addicted to it. I also like exploring special effects in the digital darkroom which opens up a world of artistic expression.”

Find out more about John Anglim’s work at his website johnanglim.com.

PC Full Collection

An Exhibition of Works from The Art Center’s Permanent Collection

December 2, 2022, to January 21, 2023

For the first time in the history of The Art Center we will have on display the majority of our Permanent Collection for patrons to enjoy. This is a unique opportunity to see the collection in almost its entirety. Walk through the galleries and admire works by Paul Pletka, Daniel Sprick, artworks by The Art Center’s Founders, The Robinson Collection, and many more. Patrons normally view the works in curated groupings throughout the year. Many of the works from the permanent collection are rarely displayed; this exhibit will give viewers the opportunity to see

most of the permanent collection in one exhibit.

The exhibit will traverse Studio Colorado, Gould Gallery, Kephart Gallery, and the Atrium Gallery. A key component of The Art Center’s mission is the preservation of artwork. This exhibition will highlight these artworks and the work that the permanent collection committee does to maintain and preserve this important body of history, research the artists, and develop a strong permanent collection with a wide range of works.

Woody Crumbo, Eagle Dancer

Thank you to the Permanent Collection Committee for their dedication to the preservation of the arts through the management of The Art Center’s permanent collection.

CONTEMPORARY PRINT: Biodiversity

Juried by Lily Cain Exhibition Dates May 16 – June 30, 2023 Reception Date: June 2, 2023

Deadline for entry: April 3

Calling all artists! This national juried exhibition is open to all artists with printmaking as their primary medium. We encourage entries from artists working in etching, screen printing, cyanotype, monoprint, wood, linoleum block printing, and any other print mediums with a focus on the biodiversity the world has to offer as the theme for the exhibition. Works must be framed, wired, and ready for hanging before shipping or delivery.

The juror for this exhibition is Lily Cain. Cain holds an MFA from the Royal College of Art, London. Her work is inspired by the beauty of botanicals and other natural forms. Her focus on the feminine and lifegiving aspects of nature corresponds to the vibrancy of color and movement that can be seen in her compositions. The juxtaposition of realistic and abstract forms creates a harmony amongst the visual elements and sets the viewer at ease and reminds us to take in the beauty of the world we inhabit.

Lily Cain, Red Gum

THE RON BECKMAN ART CENTER MEMBERS' SHOW

Sponsored by Chuck & Kendra McDaniel, the Ron Beckman Estate, and The Art Center Endowment Foundation

February 3-24, 2023

Artwork drop off: January 31, 10am-2pm

Artwork pick up: February 25, 10am-2pm Artwork dropped off outside of these hours will not be exhibited

Calling all artists! Registration is now open for The Ron Beckman Members' Show 2023. Artists must be current members of The Art Center. Each artist can submit up to two works. All mediums and styles are welcome. Because of the size of this exhibit, all spaces will be utilized including galleries and runway spaces within the Center’s facility.

Members of The Art Center always look forward to seeing and sharing their works with fellow artists during this exhibition. It is an important opportunity to engage in dialog with fellow creators about

their works and processes. Sharing your work with others can be a rewarding experience no matter your skill level. The point of this exhibition is to participate with artists of all ages and skill levels within the community and to share your gifts with one another. Art is a necessary component within our community and has the capacity to enrich our lives in ways that cannot be described in words. Often our artworks speak for us and reveal our innermost feelings, hopes, and dreams.

Thank you to all Art Center members for your support.

Charles Morris, A Blaze of Glory

Uncanny Valley TAC Emerging Artist

An Exhibition of Artwork by Kaleb Castleton

October 7 – December 31 Sponsored by The Art Center

The Art Center is proud to announce its partnership with Uncanny Valley in their support of our Emerging Artists Exhibitions. Uncanny Valley is providing exhibition space at their gallery located at 514 Main Street. Our first emerging artist is Kaleb Castleton. Castleton is a recent graduate from Colorado Mesa University and currently has work on display through the end of December.

“My work investigates liminal spaces in transition. I seek to create a cohesive world where opposite ideals interact and have a conversation. This guiding idea is executed using methods such as obfuscating text and recognizable imagery, using historical painting techniques such as fresco alongside contemporary forms of painting such as graffiti. Other techniques include using literal space such as the texture found in the plaster, and implied space, where the paint can create space by implying structure back into the painting.

“The intention behind depriving the viewer of contextual information is to challenge

them by forcing them to draw conclusions based on incomplete information, and encourage them to be more comfortable with ambiguous situations. My hope is to disrupt the viewer’s expectations of binary choice and push them to accept that not every situation has a clear resolution.”

-Kaleb

Castleton

Kaleb Castleton

Paint the Town Fabulous Fifties the

best work for a fine art auction to sell in support of The Art Center’s work and mission

Visit gjartcenter.org to learn more

Pre-School - Little Picassos

Ages 2-5

STRIVE / Rachel Egelston

10:30-11:30am

Tuition per day per child: $7 member / $9 non-member

When children become engaged in exploring the arts, it strengthens their gross and fine motor skills, social development, and creative curiosity. These classes are designed to nurture your child’s imagination, inquisitive nature, and developmental growth through a range of stimulating activities. Your child will build confidence and vocabulary and make new friends while having loads of fun! This class is taught by talented, creative, imaginative individuals from STRIVE Creative Creation and Uniquely Yours groups, mentored by STRIVE staff and Rachel Egelston. Parents are welcome to join the fun or drop off their child. For further details, please contact Rachel Egelston at regelston@gjartcenter.org.

Jan 13 - Pointillism Name Art

Jan 27 - Winter Process Art

Feb 10 - Heart Mosaics

Feb 24 - Pastel Scratchboards

Field Experiences

Bring your class or group to The Art Center to experience a guided tour through the galleries and the clay studio. You will also get to do a hands-on activity of your choice. There is a charge of $4.50 per student (minimum charge of $40). Contact Rachel Egelston regelston@gjartcenter.org for a listing of classes and further information.

School’s Out Art Days

Ages 5-12

8:30am-4:30pm

Tuition per day per child: $35 member / $40 non-member

All materials provided

Experience an entire day of in-depth art exploration! Projects range from drawing, painting, and sculpture to process art, and more through hands-on learning. Each day has open-ended creative exploration with art instruction. Children enjoy learning, exploring, observing, and creating in an inclusive and inspiring environment. Students are asked to bring a lunch, snack, and water bottle.

Jan 16: Celebrate Winter with different craft projects – snowmen sock sculptures, pastel rendering of the Northern Lights, “faux” alcohol ink trees resist, paper mosaic, and winter wonderland painting.

Jan 17: Create your own world like in the movie/book “Harold and the Purple Crayon.” Students will have fun while learning perspective, composition, and use of different drawing media to create a rendering of their own world plus creating 3-dimensional sculpture/house.

Feb 20: Celebrate with us the release of “Ant-Man” – Develop your own superhero character, learn techniques in drawing and inking, create a superhero landscape with Van Gogh, draw the human figure, and come dressed up in your favorite character if you choose.

Not

The arts are endlessly beneficial to children. Through the arts, children learn to think creatively, build confidence, are challenged to solve problems, hone their ability to focus, and much more!

After School Program

Ages 5-12

Rachel Egelston

Fridays 4:30-6:00pm

Tuition per session: $55 member / $70 non-member All materials provided

Would your children like to explore their creativity in a fun and creative environment? Our After School program classes will introduce your children to the principles and elements of color and design while encouraging self-expression and experimentation. Children will build on this knowledge and explore different art media in two different sessions. These art fundamentals are essential in developing observation, spatial skills, and coordination.

Session 1, Jan 13 – Feb 3: Clay, drawing, acrylic painting on canvas

Session 2, Feb 10 – Mar 3: Clay, papier mache, sculpture, printmaking

Home School: Art Explorers

Ages 5-13

Rachel Egelston

Thursdays 1:00-2:30pm, Jan 12 – March 9 $105 member / $150 non-member

All materials provided; need-based scholarships available

Are you looking for an art curriculum for your homeschooled child? Do you want to develop your child’s creative and critical thinking skills? Students enjoy this homeschool program that is tailored to their skill level in a supportive and encouraging environment. This program provides an artistic foundation and creative outlet for students to be introduced to different cultural and historical influences. Students will be working in the following disciplines – clay, paper, painting, sculpture, graphic arts, and fiber arts. The class will work with STEAM projects. The goal of the program is to have fun while learning essential skills such as problemsolving, creative self-expression, life lessons, and teamwork. Projects will differ from other sessions to avoid repeats for returning students.

All youth classes address the Colorado Model Content Standard for visual arts. Content standards used in class will be provided upon request. Students and parents are assured of a unique classroom and project experience whether it be in fall, holiday, winter, spring, or summer sessions.

Holiday Break Art Days

Ages 5-13

8:30am-4:30pm

Tutition per day per child: $35 member / $40 non-member

All materials provided; don't forget to bring a snack, a lunch, and a water bottle!

Dec 22: Learn about holiday crafts and customs from different cultures, holiday ornaments

Dec 23: Watercolor, abstraction, one-point perspective, hand-printed patterns for card-making, oil pastels

Dec 26: Lego™ sculpture, how to use markers, artist trading cards

Dec 27: Soft sculptures, color theory, how to build a painting, and more

Dec 28: Discover wacky ways to paint and sculpt

Dec 29: Strengthen your drawing skills, Surrealist art games, painting with oil pastels

Dec 30: Celebrate New Year’s Eve by making New Year glasses, Chinese drums, party hats, good-luck clay Chanachitos from Chile

Jan 2: Fiber art, color pencil, and watercolor techniques

Jan 3: Draw your own selfie, zentangles, how to create a cartoon character

Jan 4: STEAM projects, celebrating NASA through art projects

Jan 5: Find your inner superhero, the ins-and-outs of painting, printmaking

Jan 6: Develop your imagination through animal yoga, making games, and a variety of art making

COLLECTION CORNER

Highlighting works from The Art Center's Permanent Collection

Stanley Crosbie and The Pueblo Taos

by Bailey Jones

If there were a spectrum of beauty, nature being on one side and geometry being on the other, The Pueblo Taos by Stanley Crosbie would fall directly in the middle. For this reason, this piece radiates a unique type of beauty that balances elements from each side. The sharp, angular lines of the subject in the background and the stylized lines in the foreground are striking, but the colors are rooted in nature, and there are touches of organic shapes that keep the piece delicate still.

Stanley Crosbie, born March 12, 1906, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, accomplished much in his 83 years. At eighteen, he began pursuing higher education at the small liberal arts school Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he obtained his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts. He returned to his birthplace and furthered his studies at the University of Minnesota, where he earned a Doctor of Medicine degree. Between 1943 and 1946, he served his country in the United States Army, Major Medical Corps. Shortly after, around 1949, Dr. Crosbie made his way to Grand Junction and began his practice specializing in gastroenterology and serving as chief of medical services at our Veteran’s Administration

Hospital. Not only was he a respected doctor, but he was also a founding member and supporter of what is now The Art Center. Details of Crosbie's personal life are scarce. Still, with a demanding doctor’s schedule, it’s inferred that creating art was reserved as a leisure activity in his free time and one he enjoyed sharing with family and friends. If you knew or were someone close to the Crosbies during their time in the Grand Valley, you may be familiar with the original printed Christmas cards he and his wife sent out each year, and here at The Art Center we are lucky to have a few of these cards in our permanent collection. These cards, The Pueblo Taos, and the four other works we have by Crosbie are all serigraphs (silkscreen prints), so it is assumed to be a favorite medium of his, and based on my experience with screen-printing, he was skilled at it. Apart from two Christmas cards, each print showcases a landscape scene and, in the case of all but one, features a central structure or figure, all of which are real places he could have visited in his lifetime. From 1947 to 1949, Crosbie practiced medicine in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which is only a little over 100 miles from where Taos Pueblo is located. You could visit it in person at that time,

so his rendition is likely based on first-hand experience.

Taos Pueblo is an indigenous settlement located just outside the modern city of Taos, New Mexico, and the structures in Crosbie’s print are homes of native Puebloan people. The word “pueblo” is of Spanish origin, meaning “town,” but it is explicitly used in this context to describe a type of dwelling where individual spaces are built into one another, creating a system of connected homes. Taos Pueblo is one of the oldest continuously inhabited indigenous settlements in the US, as it has been occupied for over 1,000 years. Today the community is considered a National Historic Landmark and authentic living heritage community because its occupants dedicate their lives to upholding traditional living, religious, and ceremonial practices undisturbed by modern society. Crosbie depicts the building in black and white, but in person, the adobe brick is a rich, earthy red color.

Adobe bricks and building materials were standard amongst the indigenous Puebloan people of New Mexico due to their accessibility and structural strength. The adobe used at Taos Pueblo was comprised of varying combinations of clay-heavy sediments, large grains, grasses, seeds, rocks, and sometimes even broken beads or pieces of pottery. These elements would be mixed with water and laid out in the hot sun to dry, eventually being used as building material. New Mexico and other areas of the Eastern Great Plains have dry, hot desert climates. Because of its material and construction, Taos Pueblo is sturdy and resistant to the area's weather conditions.

Screen-printing has a long history, but the process of making a serigraph such as this one is relatively young. First, a finely woven screen is stretched and secured to a frame. Traditionally, this screen would be silk, but most modern screen printers choose to use one made

Stanley Crosbie, Pueblo Taos

from synthetic materials. There are a few ways that an artist can choose to approach transferring their design onto a screen. The technique most likely utilized by Crosbie involves first painting a sturdy layer of photosensitive emulsion onto his screen. Once this dried, his design, drawn on transparent film, would be placed on top of the screen and exposed to intense ultraviolet light. The mesh screen hardens where the emulsion is exposed to light, and after a powerful wash, only what was covered is left porous. The ink can be forced through the porous sections with a squeegee, leaving the print on the paper underneath. For The Pueblo Taos, a piece with overlapping colors and design elements, Crosbie would have to make multiple screens. He may have chosen to create a separate screen for each color, meaning he would have made five screens, but it’s more probable he only had to make two. Either way, the first layer depicting Taos Pueblo in black line is a screen of its own. If Crosbie only used two screens, he would have included all seven rays on one piece of transparent film, going through the emulsion process, and then when it came time to print, would have blocked out the individual rays with tape where he didn't want that color.

In the first layer, Crosbie exhibits knowledge of depth, contrast, and perspective, which can be challenging to achieve when working with a two-dimensional medium and using only lines. He does this by varying the weight of and distance

between lines, and by changing their directions; he implies shade in a way reminiscent of cross-hatching techniques. The side of the pueblo facing the viewer is darker, and shadows are cast towards the bottom left corner, meaning that the light source is coming from the top right corner, behind the subject. Crosbie emphasizes this light source using the rays in the foreground, with each starting slimmer at the top right and expanding as it moves downward to the left. This gradual increase in width gives them the appearance of sunbeams shining down on us, and the surrounding evidence leads me to believe that is what they are. Their transparency supports that these rays of color are, in fact, beams of light. When mixing inks, Crosbie would have had to add in small amounts of a transparent base until he reached the desired opacity. Each color has relatively the same amount of transparency, showing careful attention to detail. We can trace the style of these transparent sunbeams back to color-tinting techniques in which an artist would add a semi-transparent pigment on top of a grayscale image to colorize it. Color-tinting has roots in grisaille, a method of painting in which transparent pigments would be layered over each other atop a detailed grayscale painting, usually of figures. With transparency and layered application, grisaille intended to give figures the appearance of sculpture, which was classically considered a higher art form. Color-tinting, as it is referred to today, is the act of placing a small amount of color over a grayscale

image or video. Typically, in doing so, the atmosphere changes. All this is to say that the scene would have a different mood without the rays of color or if they weren't the colors they are.

The limited color palette used here is an excellent example of how sometimes less is more. There is an argument to be made here about design aesthetics and standard color palettes in the 1970s and ’80s. I won't disagree that may have played a role in how Crosbie chose to display the beams, but I believe he carefully thought out the colors. The subject doesn't need to be fully colorized for the viewer to make assumptions about the place. Yellow, orange, and red are colors that I associate with fire, warmth, and light, all of which are elements of the sun, so the colors make sense for that intended purpose. If the colors were shades of blue or purple, we might assume that it was a nighttime scene and that the beams were instead emanating from the moon, as those colors are more associated with water, cold, and darkness. In addition to atmosphere and time of day, the colors, presented in a stylized manner, are also representative of Taos Pueblo's native landscape. The area of New Mexico which harbors this unique location is a desert climate, and there is rarely cloud cover from the bright yellow sun, which tends to mix with blue sky to create a softer orange hue. Placed the farthest out, these colors envelop the darker center like the sky would envelop someone standing in the open desert. The darker orange

and red are more evocative of the landscape and the pueblo itself. The area is home to dense clay deposits and mineral-rich soils high in iron content, which gives the dirt its characteristic red color.

Dr. Stanley Crosbie was an essential member of our Mesa County community and an integral part of why we can enjoy this piece at The Art Center today. He served the people of Grand Junction as a revered doctor, but he also served his entire country in the United States Army and continued to work with fellow veterans throughout his professional career. Crosbie was a man of science who knew the value and importance of art and preservation, and we are honored to carry on his legacy by housing his artwork and telling its story.

Second Saturday Lecture Series

Lectures are free to the public and will be held on the second Saturday of the month when scheduled. Lectures will include presentations by The Art Center’s Curator, CMU professors, visiting artists, and other experts on subjects ranging from art history to music, theatre, and more.

Visit our website, gjartcenter.org, for information about scheduled lectures and their dates and times.

FARM Collaboration

The Art Center is proud to announce its collaboration with By All Means Arts studio, owned by Matthew Jones and Ashtonn Means. The studio space will be located in downtown Fruita, CO, at the new FARM (Fruita Arts Recreation Marketplace) Complex. The Art Center will be offering ceramics classes at this new location with a variety of instructors. The Art Center is excited to have our staff and instructor, Matt and Ashtonn, embarking on this new adventure of owning their own studio and offering this educational opportunity to the Fruita community. With The Art Center’s dedication to supporting the growth of the art community and expanding arts education for all, we are pleased to collaborate with this new studio space. Keep an eye out for updates on The Art Center website for enrollment dates and times!

Winter

Opens

Oil Painting

Dan Logé

Mondays 9am-12pm, January 9 – March 6, skipping February 20 Mondays 1-4pm, January 9 – March 6, skipping February 20 $162 member / $207 non-member

This class is open to everyone interested in learning how to create a beautiful oil painting from beginning to completion. This will be a fun, casual class full of information, and Dan will be there to answer any questions that you might have about making art. Dan teaches a method that is simple and easy to understand which will bring you positive results. All skill levels are welcome!

Adventures in Mixed Media

Gayle Gerson

Beginner/Intermediate

Tuesdays 1-4pm, January 3 – February 28 $162 member /$207 non-member

Gayle Gerson is teaching a workshop-like class to give artists new to mixed media techniques practice in working with experimental painting and collaging to create beautiful compositions, both representational and abstract. Students will be able to devote plenty of time to each of 4 or 5 art works, creating a pleasing image that releases the sparkle of the artist’s personality. During the beginning of each class, Gayle will present a “mini-workshop” to teach the elements of design and build compositional skills and strengthen the “creative habit.” Art journaling, drawing sessions, and presentation of the art of historical and current mixed media artists will also be part of this dynamic class.

Gayle Gerson, Milk Maid

Fundamentals in Wheelthrowing

Beginner/Intermediate $242 member / $287 non-member

Ashtonn Means

Mondays 6:30-9:30pm, January 9 – March 6, skipping February 20 $215 member / $260 non-member (8-week session)

Supplies required: basic pottery toolkit, towel

This course is designed for both beginning and intermediate students. The projects and demonstrations will be geared toward the skill level and interest of each student. Throughout this course students will learn techniques for wheel-throwing and glaze application, while forming a strong understanding of materials and firing practices associated with the medium. We will discuss in detail, during demonstrations and projects, the design principles for functional pottery, the fundamentals of form and form alteration, as well as aesthetic surface design techniques. Beginners will be encouraged to focus on bowls, cups, and mugs as a method for gaining comfortability with the materials. Intermediate students can continue to explore these basic forms or stretch their abilities with more complex forms and techniques. Open studio time is available and strongly encouraged to practice skills learned during class time. Instructor email: potterybyashtonn@gmail.com

Ashtonn Means

Tuesdays 1-4pm, January 3 – February 28

Thursdays 6:30-9:30pm, January 5 – March 2

Supplies required: basic pottery toolkit, towel

This course is for both beginner and intermediate students. Beginners focus on simple forms (mugs with handles, and bowls), glazes, and glazing techniques. Intermediate students receive instruction on techniques they want to hone, such as lidded vessels, plates, or stacked forms. Throughout the session, students are introduced to different surface designs to enhance one’s work. Instruction will be tailored towards the students' interests. Open studio time is available and strongly encouraged to practice skills learned during class time.

Instructor email: chuckrobbiebreaux@gmail.com

Gary Andrews

Tuesdays 6:30-9:30pm, January 3 – February 28

Supplies required: basic pottery toolkit, towel

Escape into the world of clay. Students learn the basics of hand-building, then dive into the skills needed to throw fundamental forms which have been used through the ages. At times Gary will provide pre-thrown pots for students to practice glazing. Come relax and tap into your right brain. Open studio time is available and strongly encouraged to practice skills learned during class time.

Instructor email: garyartc@gmail.com

Robbie Breaux

Robbie Breaux

Fundamentals in Wheelthrowing

Beginner/Intermediate

$242 member / $287 non-member

Terry Shepherd

Thursdays 1-4pm, January 5 – March 2

Supplies required: basic pottery toolkit, towel, notebook

This course is for entry level beginners and intermediate students with some previous experience in throwing and hand-building. Students will focus on the fundamentals of technique in throwing forms and explore hand-building skills and surface design including decorative slip techniques and a wide variety of surface design approaches. Instruction in glaze application and material properties of glaze elements and firing process will be studied. Basic vessel forms for mugs, bowls, pitchers, oil bottles, and other forms will be studied in detail. Instruction is tuned to the individual to help students develop confidence in exploring the boundless and curious potential of clay and ceramic process in their pursuit of creative expression! Students will make work for a Raku firing scheduled for the 9th week of class. Students will engage in constructive critique and challenge themselves in order to improve their skill level. Open studio time is available and strongly encouraged to practice skills learned during class time.

Instructor email: tshepherd@gjartcenter.org

Intermediate Wheelthrowing

Terry Shepherd

Wednesdays 9:30am-12:30pm, January 4 – March 1

$242 member / $287 non-member

Supplies required: basic pottery toolkit, towel, notebook

Take this course if you are confident when it comes to wedging and centering, can throw a 6-8" cylinder using 2-3lbs. of clay, and have experience with basic hand tools and slab rollers. Techniques such as altered throwing are introduced. Come with an open mind, ready to engage in constructive critique and explore and develop a more in-depth approach to ceramics. Open studio time is available and strongly encouraged to practice skills learned during class time.

Instructor email: tshepherd@gjartcenter.org

Advanced Wheelthrowing

Terry Shepherd Wednesdays 6:30-9:30pm, January 4 – March 1 $242 member / $287 non-member

Supplies required: basic pottery toolkit, towel, notebook

Take this course if you meet the requirements for intermediate ceramics, have confidence when it comes to throwing a 10-14" cylinder using 5-10lbs. of clay, and have a desire and willingness to acquire a deeper understanding of the material properties of different clays (such as cone 10 stoneware and porcelain) and glazes, as well as alternative firing processes. Students engage in constructive critique and challenge themselves in order to improve their skill level. Open studio time is available and strongly encouraged to practice skills learned during class time.

Instructor email: tshepherd@gjartcenter.org

Terry Shepherd

All Levels Hand-building

Robbie Breaux

Wednesdays 1-4pm, January 4 – March 1 $242 member / $287 non-member

Use slabs of clay to make beautiful artwork. We’ll focus on functional ware – mugs, casseroles, bowls, etc. Various hand-building techniques, surface treatments, and glazing will also be discussed. Students with prior knowledge in clay will have freedom to work on personal projects. Open studio time is available and strongly encouraged to practice skills learned during class time.

Sculpting in Clay

Ron Cloyd

Fridays 9:30am-12:30pm, January 6 – March 3

$242 member / $287 non-member

Whether you are a novice or seasoned clay artist, this course is one that will help you transform your visions into finished fired forms. With a focus toward whimsy and humor, Ron’s sculpture class will consist of demos and discussions about project inspiration (“where did you come up with that idea?”), use of tools, clay manipulation, firing, and finishing. You will be able to work through instructor-guided projects, or immediately begin sculpting from your own ideas. Some tools are available, but students are encouraged to bring their own as well.

Instructor email: roncloyd@gmail.com

Included in every ceramics tuition is one, 25-lb. bag of clay and 3000 cu. in. of glaze firing (firing fee after 3000 cu. in. is 2 cents/cu. in.)

Robbie Breaux

The Nitty Gritty

Winter registration opens Tuesday, Dec 6

Students must register by Thursday, December 29, to secure a spot.

Registration: Registration can be completed online at gjartcenter. org, over the phone, or in person at The Art Center. For phone registration, call 970-243-7337, x. 2. To register in person, stop by during gallery hours, TuesdaySaturday 9am-4pm.

Payment: Payment can be made by American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, check, or cash. Class space will not be reserved without full payment. Please be aware that classes require a minimum number of students and are subject to cancellation. The best way to ensure that the class you are interested in does not get canceled is to register early, and don’t forget to urge a friend to sign up!

Cancellation Policy: To cancel a class or workshop registration, notify The Art Center at least 14 days before the start of the class or workshop. If given the required 14-day notice, The Art Center will issue class credit in full or will refund your payment minus the registration fee ($15 for adults and $5 for children). No refunds or class credit will be issued for cancellations made

within 14 days of the start of the class or workshop. If you register for a class or workshop within the 14-day period, you will receive no refund or class credit for cancellation. Sorry, no refunds or class credits for no-shows. This registration policy helps instructors plan and prepare for upcoming classes, ensuring you receive ample notice if a class has insufficient registration.

Art Supplies: Supply lists for each class are available on our website. Unless otherwise specified, the student is responsible for purchasing art supplies. Some supplies are available at The Art Center Gift Gallery.

Tuition for ceramics classes includes one, 25-lb. bag of clay and 3000 cu. in. of glaze firing (firing fee after 3000 cu. in. is 2 cents/cu. in.) Ceramics students will need a pottery tool kit, not covered by tuition and available from The Art Center Gift Gallery for $27.49 plus tax.

Need-based scholarships are available. Visit our website’s scholarships page for more information!

We love early registration!