Piece by Piece: Schoonover Gallery

Piece by Piece:

"My enthusiasm seems to have helped get really established artists to participate in a new gallery.”

– Patie Schoonover

Schoonover Gallery, a sleek contemporary gallery that opened last winter on Lincoln Avenue, fills a muchneeded niche in the thriving Steamboat Springs art scene.

The gallery features work by nationally renowned artists who specialize in what owner Patie Schoonover describes as “mountain contemporary with a little modern West mixed in.”

A quick look is not enough at this new endeavor of Patie and her husband, Ray, who moved from Durango to open the gallery. The real delight is walking from piece to piece with Patie, whose knowledge of the artists and their stories brings the work to life.

One example is artist Nocona Burgess, who is the greatgreat-grandson of revered Comanche Chief Quanah Parker. Burgess, a member of the Comanche Nation of Oklahoma, primarily shows his work in Santa Fe, New Mexico. But when Patie began researching his background, she found a mutual six-degrees-of-separation ancestor, and told him, “You have to

Schoonover Gallery’s Eclectic Collection

show at our gallery. We’re related!” As a result, Steamboat is being treated to the work of one of America’s premier contemporary Native American artists. He is slated to visit Steamboat over Labor Day, when a reception is being held in his honor.

“I’m having a really good time,” Patie says. “My enthusiasm seems to have helped get really established artists to participate in a new gallery.”

The Schoonover Gallery collection is eclectic. It includes sculpture and curated fine jewelry, as well as paintings and other two-dimensional works.

Among the 30 artists that Patie and Ray are representing is former street artist Seek One, a young and upcoming artist who, as an aside, loves to snowboard. Will we see him in Steamboat come ski season?

Another featured artist is Atlanta, Georgia’s Gary Bodner, whose bold, modern work is in such demand that when a new piece arrives in Steamboat, “it’s like Christmas,” Patie says.

Topher Straus is also represented at the Schoonover Gallery. His canvas is aluminum, his art is monumental, and his interest is turning to Northwest Colorado. He is slated to visit Steamboat to create an emblematic work; Patie does not know yet if it will be a winter scene like the ones he has done for Aspen and Breckenridge, or if he will choose another season. Summer, Patie muses, could be truly inspirational.

"Kate Moss x Playboy," by Seek One, mixed media on wood panel, 36 x 36

Two renowned Midwestern artists are represented at the gallery: Minneapolis artist James Penfield and Chicago’s 2022 artist of the year Mark McMahon, who has ties to Steamboat, having attended the Lowell Whiteman School (now Steamboat Mountain School).

Italian artist Nicoletta Belletti is among the intriguing contributors to the gallery. Her technique may be reminiscent of Maltese architectural ornamentation, but her style is definitely 21st century modern. She describes her medium as acrylic paste, but the result is deeply textured, almost like frosting. Her subject matter ranges from floral scenes to pigs. You have to see it to comprehend it.

For more information, visit www.schoonovergallery.com. w

Karen Lindeman Fine Art Studios

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO ~ HOUSTON, TEXAS

watercolor and oils www.karenlindemanart.com “Fair Fields”

Italian artist Nicoletta Belletti's deeply textured technique resembles frosting.

TREY MULLEN