Karen Storm, Distant Thunder, oil on linen, 24 x 30
Loveland Museum, Loveland, CO
May 6-June 11
Every spring in Colorado for the past three decades, the Loveland and Thompson Valley rotary clubs—in partnership with the Loveland Museum and endorsed by the governor of Colorado—have presented the Governor’s Art Show & Sale, showcasing artwork solely from Colorado artists. This May marks the 32nd annual event and features 62 artists exhibiting and selling four works each in a wide range of subjects, styles and media.
The selective juried process began this year with the assembly of a panel of five jurors: two nationally acclaimed artists, a professor of painting from the University of Northern Colorado, the city of Loveland’s cultural services director and the founder and board director of the Latino Cultural Arts Center.
This distinguished committee was tasked with narrowing down more than 200 applicants to the list of final artists, which includes Julie Bender, Gregory Block, Crystal Despain, Denise Dambrackas, Lisa Hewett and Karen Storm, to name a few. Several top artists were also included via special invitation: Gordon Brown, Jane DeDecker, Kim English, Lincoln Fox, Quang Ho and Daniel Sprick. There are 17 new artists participating this year, as well as legacy artists Brown and Fox, who have been strong advocates of art in Colorado and beyond. Sheri Farabaugh, 2022 Best of Show winner, exhibits as well.
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- Kim English, Negotiations, oil, 14 x 11
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- Lincoln Fox, Captive Warrior, bronze, 17 x 22
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- Lori Acott, Ode to Childhood, bronze, 32 x 14
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- Crystal Despain, Ode to Chuck, oil on linen, 14 x 18
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- Daniel Glanz, Sandhill Cranes, bronze, 26 x 18 x 10
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- Karen Storm, Distant Thunder, oil on linen, 24 x 30
Together, the 62 artists will display more than 250 pieces of artwork, including landscape, figurative, still life and wildlife paintings, as well as sculpture. The art is created in a variety of mediums such as mixed media, oil, pastel, watercolor, acrylic, bronze, stone or glass. Both realistic and abstract styles are on display.
A limited number of tickets to the May 5 opening night gala and silent auction are available to the public for $75 each. Beginning May 6, the remaining artwork will be for sale on a first-come, first-served basis through the show website. Special events include an artist meet-and-greet every Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. until the show closes on June 11.
The Governor’s Art Show has been dubbed “Art With a Heart” for good reason: Every year, a portion of the proceeds go to helping charity and nonprofit causes. This year, one-third of net proceeds will be donated to the Thompson Education Foundation’s Resiliency Fund for Unhoused Youth, with additional funds designated to scholarships for local art students.
“The Governor’s Art Show has a long, successful history of philanthropic efforts, thanks to the work of show organizers the Loveland and Thompson Valley rotary clubs,” says show director Ruth Scott. “This show not only supports Colorado artists, but also great causes to help keep children in school.” Scott speaks highly not only of the 2023 exhibiting artists, but also of the collectors who support them by traveling far and wide to have an opportunity to purchase the creations of standout Colorado artists.
“This show is highly regarded for maintaining its supreme standard for the highest quality of fine art, and we have collectors from all over the country,” she says. “This diversity and freshness are what keep them coming back. Some say they wait all year for this show because it’s one of the best in the country and never disappoints.” —Allison Malafronte
contact information
(970) 670-0035
www.governorsartshow.org
This story appeared in the April/May 2023 issue of Southwest Art magazine.