Do acrylic mediums and their use confuse you? Explore several mediums to use with acrylic paint in this one day workshop with local artist Tracy Miller. Enhance your work by learning to create special effects through the use of several kinds of mediums including the highly textural ones. 1 hour break for lunch. Supply list is available at registration.

For more information or to register please call 719-520-1899.

Cottonwood Center for the Arts is excited to announce a 10 week Basic Pottery workshop starting April 11, 2012. This workshop will run Wednesdays from 6 pm to 9 pm. $200 for members, $225 for non-members.

Starting April 7, 2012 Open Pottery Studio hours will begin on Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm. Individual studio days run $25/4 hours for members and $35/4 hours for non-members, or purchase a 10 week studio card for $200 for members and $300 for non-members. This 10 week card essentially gets you 1 week free! Bring your own tools and materials and use our facilities.

For more information call 719-520-1899.

DENVER ­— Friday, March 9, 2012 — Gov. John Hickenlooper today announced the formal certification of two new Colorado Creative Districts: Downtown Salida and Denver’s Art District on Santa Fe. The districts will each receive a $15,000 grant and assistance to attract artists, creative entrepreneurs and visitors as a strategy to infuse new energy and innovation and enhance the economic and civic capital of the community. The program is administered by the Office of Economic Development and International Trade through the Colorado Creative Industries division.

“Colorado is filled with vibrant centers of commerce, culture and creativity, and is a magnet for creative workers,” Hickenlooper said. “The formation of Creative Districts provides visitors and residents with an opportunity to participate and invest in the arts, while contributing to the economic vitality of the region and attracting creative entrepreneurs and artists.”

Forty-four different districts from 25 counties applied for the designation. In addition to the two Certified Creative Districts, five applicants were designated as Prospective Creative Districts and will each receive $8,000 and a customized package of technical assistance to enhance the likelihood that they will be certified in the future. Eight were designated as Emerging Creative Districts and will each receive $2,000 and technical assistance to further their district planning.

Prospective Creative Districts:
Longmont Arts & Entertainment District
Town of Ridgway
Downtown Pueblo
Town of Telluride
Denver’s River North Art District

Emerging Creative Districts:
Downtown Parker
City of Trinidad
Downtown Greeley and the University District
Downtown Colorado Springs
40 West Arts District in Lakewood
Aurora Arts District
Durango Business Improvement District
North Fork Valley in Delta County

The remaining applicants not selected will be eligible for assistance through the “Colorado Creates” grant program, which supports arts activities in communities. They can also receive assistance through the inaugural Creative Industries Summit and Colorado Creative Industry’s website.

“The Art District on Santa Fe is thrilled to be an inaugural designee”, said Jack Pappalardo, board president. “The receipt of this recognition validates our accomplishments to date and illustrates what a cooperative effort of creative individuals can produce. We now look forward to collaborating with CCI to facilitate sustainability, attract new creative entrepreneurs, and achieve the next level of economic and cultural vibrancy in our creative community. An enhanced Art District on Santa Fe will be a benefit not only to our creative district but also to all of metro Denver and the state of Colorado.

Salida Mayor Don Stephens said “Salida is a creative, vibrant community and we are honored by the recognition we are receiving from CCI. We understand Salida was awarded this grant in a very competitive grant process. The assistance that will be provided as part of the Creative District program will have a significant impact in our planning and marketing efforts as we further develop our creative industries. We anticipate this will allow Salida to leverage its creative resources for a stronger economic future.”

In 2011, Gov. Hickenlooper signed legislation that encourages the formation of Creative Districts in communities for the purposes of attracting creative entrepreneurs and artists to a community, infusing new energy and innovation which in turn will enhance the economic and civic capital of the community; creating hubs of economic activity, thereby enhancing the area as an appealing place to live, visit and conduct business, as well as create new economic activity; attracting visitors; revitalizing and beautifying communities; providing a focal point for celebrating and strengthening a community’s unique identity; and showcasing cultural and artistic organizations, events, and amenities.

Nine other states have recently developed this economic development strategy of developing programs to certify such districts (Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Texas).

Applications were reviewed by a panel of professionals with experience in arts and creative industries, city planning, economic development, and business development. Panelists assessed applications based primarily on district characteristics, management and planning, and community support.

Click here for official press release.

Roger Carlson
Painting Water

Explore landscape painting with one of Colorado Springs’ premier contemporary impressionists. Learn the secrets of painting water features, streams, rivers, still life water reflections and swiftly moving water through rapids and over rocks. You will complete at least one 16 x 20 art piece, have short discussions of student problem areas and have a demo by the instructor. This class is open to all media.

Register Now

Members Register Now

Randy Pijoan
From Line to Aquatint
May 18 – May 20
9:30 am – 4:30 pm
$235 ($210 Members) 

 Reexamine your work through the methods, materials and professional benefits of the ever advancing world of Etching. Students and professionals of printmaking will be able to push their ideas and understanding of the Etching process through knowing when to combine the method of Intaglio, to better poetically place the right method with the right image idea. This 3-day workshop will help you “brush up” on the basics with new materials and techniques as well as other print shop standards.

 Register Now

   Members Register Now

Jennifer Hanson
Pebble Pots
Saturday & Sunday
May 12 & 13
9:30 am to 3:30 pm
$150 ($125 Members)

 Learn an innovative hand-building technique to create bases, garden art and other decorative forms. With just a couple of smooth rocks and some clay, you will be able to express your creativity in a unique way. All materials provide and all levels are welcome. No previous clay experience is needed.

Register Now

  Members Register Now

Learn to add the WOW factor to your watercolors. Practice several methods to improve those “ho-hum” paintings that you have stashed away. You’ll go home with some paintings that at least won’t be boring! All skill levels welcome. You bring your sad paintings and your watercolor paints along with whatever other paints or inks you normally use.

Register Now

  Members Register Now

This weekend workshop will teach you how to make pinch pots to create rattles. The fun filled class will take you from mud to music in a few simple steps. On day one you will make the rattles. The second day will be spent learning to use underglazes and carving to decorate them. All levels are welcome. No clay experience is needed and all materials are included.

Register Now
Members Register Now

 

Working plein air is the best way to capture the character of place on canvas. In this workshop you will focus on eliminating the unnecessary and focusing on the interesting aspects of a particular scene. In addition, you’ll find out how to take that information and simplify it so as to interpret it quickly and accurately. This class will cover draftsmanship, composition, values, temperature and more. Although not required, drawing and painting experience would be helpful.

Register Now

Members Register Now

 

Michael Pach
Photoshop/Photoshop Elements
Thursdays, April 5 – May  3
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
$175 ($150 Members)

 This 5 week course begins with learning the basics of these programs from opening, saving and organizing files to utilizing the menus and customizing the workplace. Students will learn how to use a wide variety of editing tools, correct exposures, create black-and-white and colorized photos, remove unwanted objects, work with layers, perform actions, merge photos into panoramas and prepare files for print. Students will need a laptop with Photoshop CS3 or Photoshop Elements 8 or higher. Use of a mouse is recommended.

Register Now

 Members Register Now

 Roger Carlson
Painting Water 

 Explore landscape painting with one of Colorado Springs’ premier contemporary impressionists. Learn the secrets of painting water features, streams, rivers, still life water reflections and swiftly moving water through rapids and over rocks. You will complete at least one 16 x 20 art piece, have short discussions of student problem areas and have a demo by the instructor. This class is open to all media.

 Register Now

 Members Register Now

Learn an innovative hand-building technique to create bases, garden art and other decorative forms. With just a couple of smooth rocks and some clay, you will be able to express your creativity in a unique way. All materials provide and all levels are welcome. No previous clay experience is needed.

Please call us for full information and registration at (179) 520-1899.

Class is appropriate for novice or experienced printmakers. Producing a solar etching plate is a safe, non-toxic process that can be used for producing relif and intaglio printing plates. Workshop participants will explore both ways of producing each type of plate and the wide variety of ways to prepare images for a solar plate.

Please call us for full information, supply list and registration at (719) 520-1899.

This weekend workshop will teach you how to make pinch pots to create rattles. The fun filled class will take you from mud to music in a few simple steps. On day one you will make the rattles. The second day will be spent learning to use underglazes and carving to decorate them. All levels are welcome. No clay experience is needed and all materials are included.

For full information and registration, please call us at (719) 520-1899.

Please call us for full information and registration at (719) 520-1899.

Open Life Drawing Classes, held Friday from 9am to 12pm and Saturday from 10am to 1pm are facilitated by successful local artists including Chris Alvarez, who taught drawing  for  5 years at UCCS, Trevor Thomas and Sparky LeBold.

Classes are $10 per drop-in session or $5 with a Cottonwood Membership. For more information about membership or Open Life Drawing Classes, please call (719) 520-1899.

Rodney Wood ~ “The Judge, the Jury and the Art of Self-Assessment”

This workshop deals with the mysteries of the judge/jury process. It will also address the issues presented by having one’s work reviewed by gallery owners/managers, museum curators, grant givers etc. In a very related arena we’ll examine how one learns to look at their own work objectively – This part of the process will include topics such as marketability, pricing and artistic growth. An awareness of one’s own strengths, weaknesses and potential is vital to understanding the opinions of others. To directly experience the process of ongoing assessment (both that from others and oneself) attendees will participate in numerous hands-on exercises designed to examine and clarify the artist’s own ideals and aspirations.  Note: All artists will be required to bring samples of their work – portfolios, prints, internet sites etc.

Info: Rodney has juried well over 100 shows/exhibitions (including this year’s State Fair), curated close to 300 exhibits/shows, served on numerous grant committees, and been in the position of reviewing thousands of portfolios. He is a full time artist that constantly finds himself having to practice what he preaches.

Cottonwood’s Day of the Dead Juror Rodney Wood is an old hat at jurying shows. He has curated well over 200 exhibitions, juried more than 100 shows — from childrenʼs art to college to professional venues and even numerous tattoo competitions and we are seriously thrilled to have him as our juror.

In addition to his jurying duties, Rodney will present two classes:

“The Judge, the Jury and the Art of Self-Assessment”
Saturday, October 29
1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
$140 ($115 Early Registration: by October 15)

Promote Thy Art-Self
Saturday, October 22, 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
$140 ($115 Early Registration: by October 15)

To register, please call (719) 520-1899.

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

In years past, Rodney Wood was considered by many as the ubiquitous “art guy” of many hats.  His passion lies in a life long devotion to the Arts.  Rodney is an artist foremost but has also often served as an educator, arts advocate, arts administrator, entrepreneur and consultant.  Mr. Wood has participated in the arts from in the trenches — teaching to marketing to promotion as well as in the creation of art for decades.  Art is his lifeʼs blood.

Born 1951 in Denver; currently living in Ruidosom NM, he has lived/worked in various places such as Breckenridge, Sedona, San Francisco and Santa Fe.  His art career has been divided into many
roles: artist, gallery owner, bronze foundry worker, gallery manager, jewelry designer & sales, college gallery director, curator, preparator and teacher (various disciplines – private & public institutions; elementary – college and beyond).

His art has also been defined by diversity with a long focus on 3D media including sculpture, installations and metal-smithing. He has had solo exhibitions in photography, sculpture, drawing, printmaking and now, painting.  With a full commitment to painting, he actually disposed of most unrelated tools and materials. Painting has become obsession and there is little doubt that this media will now serve to be his voice for life.

While art is his guiding passion, his life has led him down many paths including: Corporate trainer/consultant, ski instructor and years as a fencing & pentathlon coach/trainer with a
long stint at the US Olympic Training Center.

A respected and inspirational speaker for many years his workshops and creativity seminars were offered to artists as well as to a wide range of corporations, non-profit boards, educators and students of all ages.  He has taught within numerous art disciplines: art history, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, metal- smithing, art appreciation and art business.

Rodney has long found himself serving on the boards and steering committees for art groups and organizations like Future Self (teens at risk program) and Kennedy Centerʼs Imagination Celebration.  For five years he was the director of the Colorado State Fair Fine Art Exhibition.  He has curated well over 200 exhibitions, juried more than 100 shows — from childrenʼs art to college to professional venues and even numerous tattoo competitions.

PUBLICATION:
“Imaginaire III” – Contemporary Magic Realism 2010
(an international publication with 60 artists from around
the world)
“Quadrant Fantasy” – catalog published by
Strychnin Gallery and Fantasmus  (Saeby, Denmark)

GALLERY – exhibits & representation (most recent) :
Fantasmus Gallery – Copenhagen, Denmark
The Modbo – Colorado Springs, Colorado
The Churchill Gallery – Newburyport, Massachusetts
Klaudia Marr – Santa Fe, New Mexico
Estel Gallery – Nashville, Tennessee
Matrix Fine Art – Albuquerque, New Mexico
The Thirsty Eye – Ruidoso, New Mexico
Rubbish Gallery – Colorado Springs, Colorado
Phototroph Gallery – Colorado Springs, Colorado

Putting aside her sterling, gold and gemstones for the day, local metal smith Sandy Murphy demonstrated how to construct lamp worked beads at Cottonwood Center for the Arts during Saturday’s “People’s Pedal Party”.

With the sounds of with Grass It Up and  Hazel Miller in the background, Cottonwood on Tejon’s local artists talked about their work and shared their techniques as the downtown crowd had “wheel good fun” kicking off the USA Pro Cycling Challenge Prologue.

Sandy’s Lamp Working Class, held in early August is only one of the innovative and fun classes held at Cottonwood Center for the Arts. Dozens of other classes from Stage Make-up to Cartooning to Plein Air Painting are available for the Fall class session. Check our calendar or call us at (719) 520-1899 to request a copy of our upcoming Fall catalog.

]]> http://cottonwoodcenterforthearts.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/resurgence-of-second-friday-downtown/ Fri, 13 May 2011 11:00:47 +0000 Cottonwood Center for the Arts http://cottonwoodcenterforthearts.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/resurgence-of-second-friday-downtown/  

Kathleen Fowler's "Flo".

Previously enjoyed a First Fridays or even known as Art Walk or Art Hop, Colorado Springs downtown art galleries are seeing a resurgence of this popular family activity – with a twist! Colorado Springs sets itself apart by welcoming visitors to the galleries and restaurants Downtown on the second Friday of each month. New exhibitions, Artist of the Month and demonstrations of various mediums await from 5 p.m.continuing throughout the evening.

Tomorrow, Friday May 13th 2011, Cottonwood on Tejon (8 South Tejon) presents Artist of the Month, Kathleen Fowler. Fowler paints primarily in acrylics. The influence of the outdoors and cosmos are evident in her work. Kathleen will be in residence at Cottonwood on Tejon from 5 – 8 p.m. Numerous artists from Cottonwood Center for the Arts will also be in attendance to discuss their art and respective media.

The Modbo and S.P.Q.R., The Arts Alley District, are pleased to present solo shows by Brett Andrus and Lorelei Beckstrom.  Their first solo shows in three and two years, respectively, Andrus’ new body of work is called “Vögel(n),” and Beckstrom’s, “The History of the Future.”

The opening reception for this show will be on Friday, May 13^th, 2011, in The Arts Alley District beginning at 5:30 and going until midnight.  Entertainment will include music by The Good Morning Accordion Terrorist, live free jazz by The Bottesini Project, and some special performances that you’ll have to see to believe!

The landscapes and striking portraits outside the door of Studio #108 at Cottonwood Center for the Arts give you a heads up that you’re in for treat even before you walk in to see the rest of Judy Michael Myers work. Elegant translucent painted scenes vie with rough crashing waves showing the scope of her talent.

In addition to the artworks hanging in her studio at 427 E. Colorado, Judy’s work can be seen at Cottonwood on Tejon at 8 S. Tejon in Downtown Colorado Springs.

For information about Judy’s portrait classes in our next catalog, please call us at (719) 520-1899.

Judy talks about her work:

As an artist, I am strongly drawn to mysterious places whether in the high Rockies, the Bay of Fundy, or the vast stretches of tundra in Labrador. Such places are enthralling and I hope to share with the viewer the power and the mystery of these places.

The human figure is the most emotionally evocative subject that an artist can portray. In my figures I try to stress the dynamism of the body whether in motion or at rest. I’ve found that every subject, whether modeling for a figure drawing or sitting for a potrait evokes a mood. This something totally unconscious and often the artist is unconscious of it as well, but it will translate into the painting and tell the viewer immediately if it is a true rendering.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

At Gwen’s Taos workshops, you’ll spend full days creating art, visiting galleries, museums, eating delicious Mexican food then going back to your casitas only to continue to talk and dream art. Nothing could be better than to immerse yourself in creating the life of your dreams.

Color, Design and Value
July 18-22, 2011
5 Day Intensive Workshop

Fine Art Collage/Mixed Media
September 13-17, 2011
5 Day Intensive Workshop

Abstracts That Glow
September 19-23, 2011
5 Day Intensive Workshop

Fine Art Collage/Mixed Media
September 26 – 30, 2011
5 Day Intensive Workshop

Gwen Fox is known for her abstract expression. As a renowned international artist, her paintings are a reflection of life, immersed in unexpected layers of color and texture to reveal a remarkable vision that breathes new life into familiar images. One first notices the color…then witnesses the energy within.

Growing up in East Tennessee at the foothills of the majestic Smoky Mountains, Gwen was given the ultimate gift of expressive freedom…she was allowed to draw and paint to her heart’s content on the wallpaper canvas of the old farmhouse. For years, her mother repapered the hallway each week, later regretting the loss of those early works.

Years later, Gwen saw her first original painting and was immediately captivated by its aliveness…but two decades would pass before she was fully able to nurture her artistic passion.

Gwen struggled with an internal “emptiness,” as she searched for the proverbial key that would unleash her inhibitions for greatness. The missing element was buried deep within; her confidence was gently coaxed to the surface in an intense and rewarding journey of self-discovery.

Today, Gwen allows the dance of her inner soul to emerge. Her creative spirit is driven through the use of color, texture, movement, and line that delights and mystifies the senses.  Her work has won multiple awards and has been selected for exhibition in the famous Fermoy Art Gallery, Kings Lynn, England, where it hangs alongside work by His Royal Highness Prince Philip.  In addition, Gwen’s work hangs in the Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, New York, has been featured in one person shows in Hawaii, England, Washington, D.C. and Colorado, and has inspired New York poet, S. David.

Gwen has been referred to as the “bridge between art and spirituality” in the workshops she conducts in England and the United States. Her gift as a teacher parallels her talents as a painter. She has forged a new paradigm in the world of art as she helps her students to tap into their inner strength and peel away limiting blocks. Clarity emerges in the midst of this path to self discovery and intuitive creativity, which energizes and empowers the spirit.

By relating her story of self-discovery, Gwen gently guides her students to remove the cumbersome masks placed upon them by the ideals of others. She empowers them to believe in their ability to reach that secret place, their core essence…their intuitive spirit.

Gwen can be reached at her website, her blog or by email to sign up for workshops or to subscribe to her artful and entertaining newsletter.