Denver, CO
Arts at Denver, December 2-24
Arleta Pech, Dial One for SANTA, oil, 9 x 12.
This story was featured in the December 2016 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art December 2016 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
Arts at Denver has long realized the potential of its annual holiday show as a chance for collectors to discover new work and as a way for the arts to give back to the community. The gallery hosts the show, entitled Making Spirits Bright, throughout the month of December, with a preview of the works on November 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is also an opening reception on December 2 from 5 to 8 p.m., when artists are on hand to talk about their work.
“I think that this year has been a particularly difficult one for so many of us, for many different reasons,” says Paula Colette Conley, director and proprietor of Arts at Denver. “I love the holidays, from the bright lights and tinseled trees to the more joyous spirit in the air. I hope that the art we exhibit in this show will brighten spirits and help keep that feeling in our hearts all year long.”
The show features multiple works from 35 artists who are represented by the gallery. Conley says there are about 200 pieces included in the show with a variety of subjects and styles. The artists were asked to keep the holiday season in mind when creating pieces for the show, whether they choose the nostalgic toys of Christmas or the change of the seasons.
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- Margaretta Caesar, Coming or Going, oil, 9 x 12.
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- Carol Jenkins, A Glorious Morning, oil, 20 x 24.
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- Ginger Whellock, Wilderness Winter, oil, 11 x 14.
Colorado artist Carol Jenkins has been with the gallery since the beginning and says she looks forward to the holiday show every year. Jenkins enjoys the change in subject matter—the artist often paints snow scenes and winter landscapes for the show, as opposed to her usual rural mountain scenes and still lifes.
Every year, the show includes small paintings of holiday trees created by each participating artist. Conley then chooses a different nonprofit organization each year, to which 10 percent of the proceeds from the tree paintings are donated. This year, Conley chose The Butterfly Program, which provides care for terminally ill children and their families in Colorado. Conley says she is excited to be working with The Butterfly Program this year and hopes the additional donations will help make the families’ spirits bright. —Mackenzie McCreary
contact information
303.722.0422
www.artsatdenver.com
This story was featured in the December 2016 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art December 2016 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
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