Here’s to an artful year ahead
By Kristin Hoerth
This story was featured in the January 2016 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art January 2016 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
I love the start of the new year. I know that the only real difference between December 31 and January 1 is the symbolic meaning I’ve chosen to give it, but it feels momentous nonetheless. A whole new set of 366 days (since it’s a leap year)! I’m not always one to make official resolutions, but I do hope to use my year wisely, right from the very start.
Fortunately, when it comes to art, it’s easy for me to start the year off right, because the Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale takes place right here in Denver on Tuesday, January 5. If you join me at the Red Carpet Reception that night—yes, there really is a red carpet, but fortunately there are no paparazzi—I can promise you two things: the atmosphere will be wonderfully festive, and the artwork on view will be truly impressive. (Unfortunately, I can make you no promises about Colorado’s weather in January.)
The show is welcoming a substantial group of new artists this year, some of whose names are likely familiar to you, and some of whom are much newer on the art scene: Jeffrey Berryman, Eric Bowman, Jill Carver, Joellyn Duesberry, Lisa Gordon, Eldridge Hardie, Ron Hicks, Ron Kingswood, Jivan Lee, Chris Maynard, Eric Merrell, Michael Schwegmann, Michael Scott, Jack Spencer, and Ron Zito. I can’t wait to be introduced to their artwork. Colorado painter Don Coen was chosen as this year’s Featured Artist, and you can read all about him in this issue starting on page 46.
Once the Coors show kicks off the year with a bang, it’s off to the races, so to speak, with major art events taking place around the West every month—sometimes nearly every single weekend. We’ve gathered some of the biggest events for our Collector’s Preview calendar (page 44), including auctions, invitational museum shows, expos, plein-air events, markets, and more. There are many more that we didn’t have room to include, but you’ll find them covered in our pages throughout the year, along with countless openings and shows at galleries across the country. We’ve also included in this issue a preview of some can’t-miss exhibitions coming up at top museums (page 38).
All in all, it promises to be an exciting year in the art world. We’ll also be marking our 45th anniversary here at Southwest Art magazine, and we’ve got some great things planned to celebrate. Thank you for being part of this amazing world of art—I hope to see you at a show or auction soon.
Featured in the January 2016 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art January 2016 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
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