Show Preview | Governor’s Art Show

Loveland Museum, Loveland, CO
May 22-June 27

John Lintott, Base of Agathla, oil, 24 x 32.

John Lintott, Base of Agathla, oil, 24 x 32.

This month, art lovers and collectors are invited to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Governor’s Art Show & Sale, one of the largest juried fine-art exhibitions to exclusively showcase artists from Colorado. The 60 artists selected from 250 applicants exhibit four works each for a total of about 240 artworks, created in such media as oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, bronze, metal, and mixed media. Sponsored by the Loveland and Thompson Valley Rotary Clubs and endorsed by the governor of Colorado, the show is on display at the Loveland Museum in downtown Loveland.

John W. Kinkade—the longtime owner of Columbine Gallery in Loveland and the director of the National Sculptors’ Guild—took the helm as the Governor’s Show Board and Show Committee events director six years ago when asked to breathe fresh life into this decades-long Colorado tradition. He and his team have done just that, and Kinkade attributes the show’s success in recent years to several factors. “One of the first areas we wanted to refocus on was making it a truly juried show, with fresh eyes from a blind jury reviewing the quality of the artwork each year,” he says.

“Another factor that helped elevate the quality is our Legacy Artists component. These are artists who have participated in Governor’s Shows in years past and whose reputation and careers have grown greatly since. They are often looked up to as exemplars and mentors. Inviting them to exhibit in the Governor’s Show raises the level of excellence for all, while giving up-and-coming talent an incredible opportunity to show alongside them.”

This year’s Legacy Artists are painter Daniel Sprick and sculptor Denny Haskew, two internationally recognized artists from Colorado with numerous honors, awards, and museum collections to their respective credit. In addition, 11 new artists join the show’s roster for the first time this year, and several more return from previous shows, including Jody Ahrens, last year’s Best of Show winner. Among the participants are Anna Rose Bain, Jane Hunt, Carol Jenkins, Kim Mackey, Sandy Scott, and Mark Thompson.

Artwork is sold on a first-come, first-served basis both at the museum (advance ticket purchase is required to visit) and on its website. An outdoor Opening Night Gala takes place on Friday, May 21, for a small group of sponsors and patrons. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Thompson Education Foundation’s Homeless Assistance Fund as well as scholarships for local art students.

In conjunction with the Governor’s Show, a Plein Air Festival & Auction takes place on Saturday, June 5, in Foundry Plaza just a few blocks from the museum. Approximately 50 participating artists paint the town from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by live entertainment and an auction of the fresh new work at 4 p.m. This free festival gives patrons a chance to see the plein-air process in action and take home an artful piece of the downtown Loveland urbanscape. –Allison Malafronte

contact information
970.670.0035
www.governorsartshow.org

This story appeared in the May 2021 issue of Southwest Art magazine.