Show Preview | Evergreen Fine Art: Weekend in the West

Mitch Baird, Blue on the Bay, oil, 12 x 24.

Mitch Baird, Blue on the Bay, oil, 12 x 24.

Evergreen, CO
June 21-22

This story was featured in the June 2013 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Order the Southwest Art June 2013 print issue, or get the Southwest Art June 2013 digital download now…Or better yet, just subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss a story!

Lindsey Bittner Graham, Ready to Drive, oil, 14 x 11.

Lindsey Bittner Graham, Ready to Drive, oil, 14 x 11.

For the third year in a row, some of the biggest names in today’s western art scene converge in the beautiful Rocky Mountains for Weekend in the West, a two-day celebration of the arts hosted by Evergreen Fine Art. The event brings talented artists and collectors from across the country to the picturesque mountain town of Evergreen, CO, located 30 miles west of Denver. This year’s show features 120 works by 60 artists, including gallery artists Mitch Baird, Lindsey Bittner Graham, Keith Bond, Pem Dunn, Eric Jacobsen, Janice Sugg, and Dan Young. “We always look forward to seeing the artists and everyone having fun together,” says gallery co-owner Barbara Hadley.

The works in the show feature a wide variety of mediums—from paintings in oil, pastel, and watercolor to bronze sculptures and more. As for the subject matter, Hadley says, “We always have a lot of western landscapes, but there are also a number of artists who focus on still lifes, figures, and wildlife art.” In addition to the numerous gallery artists, several guest artists are displaying new works in the show, including Tim Horn, Jill Soukup, John Potter, Quang Ho, and Doug Hall. “We are so excited to have [Hall] as a guest artist,” Hadley says. “This is a coup for us because he does not often show in galleries, but he will have one or two entries in our show this year. He is a dedicated Native American historian and his pieces are quite beautiful.”

Dan Young, Morning Light on Black Lake, oil, 12 x 16.

Dan Young, Morning Light on Black Lake, oil, 12 x 16.

The weekend’s festivities begin with a western-style opening reception on Friday, June 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. A Quick Draw takes place in the gallery’s sculpture garden on Saturday morning, June 22, at 9 a.m., when about 40 artists face the challenge of creating a new piece in just 90 minutes as the crowd looks on with anticipation. A ticketed Champagne Brunch and Live Auction immediately follows the Quick Draw. “This year we’re very excited to have a new team of five auctioneers,” Hadley says. “The outside area is tented with enough space for at least 200 people, as well as plenty of food, refreshments, and the awards stage,” she adds. Southwest Art sponsors a catalog for the show, and there is also a Southwest Art Award of Excellence announced at the opening. Other awards given out that evening include the Jurors’ Choice, People’s Choice, and Artists’ Choice.

Through the gallery’s partnership with Center for the Arts Evergreen, proceeds from the entire weekend benefit art education and appreciation in local mountain-area schools. Additionally, a special project called “The Masters of Today and Tomorrow” features artworks by both local elementary school students and professional artists on china plates that are sold by silent auction. “The kids love it, the families love it, and we make a lot of money for local art education, which is so lacking these days,” Hadley says, adding, “We love bringing up young artists and encouraging art appreciation!” —Lindsay Mitchell

contact information
303.679.3610
www.evergreenfineart.com

Featured in the June 2013 issue of Southwest Art magazine–click below to purchase:
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Southwest Art June 2013 print issue
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