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Russell Frederickson Executive Director Russell manages Gallery Night events, answers member questions, provides customer service, creates website content such as news stories and events, and promotes our activities through email, social media, and Vail Daily posts. Creative Statement: I have over 30 years of experience in management across telecommunications, multimedia production, design, marketing, network television, and internet industries, working in both large corporate and small business environments. I began my career as a Senior Graphic Designer at Ford Communications Network. After my time with Ford Motor Company, I became the Lead Designer and Creative Director for multiple television networks, including ABC, NBC, PAX, and ION. In 2005, I founded Redcore Creative Group, a business development and multimedia production company that continues to provide consulting services in brand development and creative operations for various companies. One of the highlights of my career was leading all network production, design, and on-air branding as Executive Vice President of the creative department for ION Media Networks. Later, as an owner of Exotic Motorcars of DC, I oversaw brand development, marketing, events, and multimedia production. At Capital Telecom Services, I led operations and supported a highly technical team delivering innovative wireless solutions in the telecommunications industry. After relocating to Colorado, I directed operations at SERVPRO, specializing in fire and water mitigation for the High Rockies region. More recently, I served as General Manager, Multimedia Artist, and Art Instructor at Alpine Arts Center. Today, Redcore Multimedia Art Studios is headquartered in Avon, Colorado. I am currently engaged in multiple creative roles, including Contract Art Instructor and Event Creative Support for Alpine Arts Center; Creative Director for FLINT To FLAME Productions, a brand strategy and video production company based in South Florida; a member of the Board of Directors for High Five Access Media; and an active member and supporter of the Vail Valley Art Guild.

Lynn Feiger Vice-President Lynn was the co-founder and first president of the VVAG and she is dedicated to helping build the art community in the Vail Valley. She paints in a variety of mediums, focusing on the mountain world she loves and the exuberant energies and spirits of mountains, people and animals. She was selected by Enrique Martinez Celaya, an internationally acclaimed painter and sculptor, for a five year mentorship and has received numerous awards for her work. Ms. Feiger has also been a civil rights litigator for many decades and won the first sexual harassment case in the United States. Today, she serves as a member of the Minturn Town Council.

Melissa Nelson President With an Art History minor in college, Melissa embarked on a career as a writer and editor, followed by 15 years in Finance, followed by 20 years as Executive Director of several nonprofit organizations. During all these unlikely careers she took art classes at night or on weekends at the Denver Art Museum, Metro State College and the Denver Art Students’ League. Finally retiring in 2014, she was able to join the fledgling Vail Valley Art Guild’s workshops and begin painting and drawing with many talented (and becoming talented!) local artists. The Guild gave her the opportunity to show her work in four galleries, all Eagle County libraries, and at Colorado Mountain College's juried annual Vail Valley Fine Art Show. Other careers along the way have enabled her to step into the role of Board President, Treasurer and grant writer of this wonderful all-volunteer organization. Melissa has recently embarked on a project to add therapeutic arts and working with the underserved communities in Eagle County to her role as President. She hopes you will also join VVAG and help us grow.

Danita Dempsey Avon Town Coucil Through my work at the Town of Avon, leading the Culture, Art & Special Event Committee and my volunteer service on local and regional Boards and Advisory Committees, I strive to be an inclusive, collaborative, and coaching-based leader in the local and regional community. Leading with integrity, humility, service to others and honesty has provided me wonderful opportunities to bring others together!

Raymond Bleesz Historiographer Raymond Bleesz is an American original, and by that, I mean something specific. “American originals,” whether they be musicians, politicians, writers, artists, or photographers, have something in common: they tend to be attached to places, patches of land (even though they may travel far and wide), and their work has a strong regional flavor. At the same time, no matter how local their interests, they always seem to seek qualities that are universal, that could be understood and appreciated by anyone — a city slicker from New York or Paris, say, or an immigrant recently arrived, or an astrophysicist with her newly minted Ph.D. from Berkeley. Is this universal mode of address all just an illusion of American optimism? I think it’s worth consulting Raymond’s photographs for the answer. First of all, he has been looking at a large patch of land in Colorado and points west for a very long time. So he is sensitive to its physical moods and textures, its spaces, and its theatrical shifts of light. There’s plenty of visual interest in his landscapes, made even more dramatic by the contrast of his favored black and white. But unlike Ansel Adams’ west, Raymond’s is populated. People make their marks on it, build there, and travel through. Just when you might be inclined to take all this metaphysical panorama too seriously, however, the photographer will show you an outhouse, or a goofy road sign. So much for human hubris, ambition, and the taming of the west. That sense of humor reveals what might be most important of all about this photographer, more important even that the extensive catalog of Colorado scenes he has imaged– a valuable visual history. It is a quality of sympathy. This is especially clear in his portraits. Very often what you see in photographic portraits is an artifact, usually of the photographer’s control and desire to make some kind of statement about his hapless (usually) victim. In Raymond’s portraits, something else is revealed. His portraits rarely seem forced even when they are formal because what he really captures is something that passes back and forth between himself and his subjects. I am not sure how to put that into words. Call it respect or affection or trust, it yields portraits that are distinct and particular as a signature but as common and familiar as a nearby relative. He accords them dignity, but he lets them breathe. For many reasons, these are fraught times to call yourself American. Look at these pictures, and take it easy. It’ll pass. We’ll get together again, put aside the internet-stoked grievances, and recognize that we’re all together in the same leaky boat. We may even laugh at each other’s jokes. Raymond Bleesz absolutely guarantees it. March 23, 2019 – These words, sentences were written by Lyle Rexer. Rexer is an author, teacher, photo critic, and curator. Bleesz has worked with Rexer as a mentor. Rexer is a faculty member of the school of visual arts, NYC.

Rick Spitzer Photographer Rick is a Colorado native and grew up in Greeley, Colorado. He completed a BS degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry at the University of Northern Colorado. He taught various science courses in grades 7 through 9 and later taught high school biology and photography. He had the first district computer in his science classroom and after receiving a Masters Degree in Educational Technology from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs in 1991 he became the first Director of Technology and Information Services for Widefield School District #3 in Colorado Springs. Rick also taught educational technology courses at the Univ. of Colorado, Colorado Springs. He moved to Eagle County in 2001 and was the Director of Technology for the Eagle County School District until he retired in 2006 after 36 Years in Education. Rick served on numerous boards that promoted technology education in Colorado. He was a board member of Colorado Technology In Education Conference for 12 years, chairing the conference two years and serving as board president for two years. Rick was a co-founder and board member for the Pikes Peak Education Connection that created and provided free Internet access for 10 Pikes Peak area school districts. His favorite job was 15 summers as a Seasonal Supervisory Park Ranger Naturalist Rocky Mountain National Park. During his park service summers he sold prints through many gift shops in Grand Lake and Estes Park. He published “Focus on Photography: A Simple Guide to Better Pictures” and recently completed a book titled "Colorado Mountain Passes: The States Most Accessible High Country Roadways," published by Westcliffe Publishers. His hobbies and interests include hiking, biking, skiing, travel, and photography. Rick is a Colorado native and grew up in Greeley, Colorado. He completed a BS degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry at the University of Northern Colorado. He taught various science courses in grades 7 through 9 and later taught high school biology and photography. He had the first district computer in his science classroom and after receiving a Masters Degree in Educational Technology from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs in 1991 he became the first Director of Technology and Information Services for Widefield School District #3 in Colorado Springs. Rick also taught educational technology courses at the Univ. of Colorado, Colorado Springs. He moved to Eagle County in 2001 and was the Director of Technology for the Eagle County School District until he retired in 2006 after 36 Years in Education. Rick served on numerous boards that promoted technology education in Colorado. He was a board member of Colorado Technology In Education Conference for 12 years, chairing the conference two years and serving as board president for two years. Rick was a co-founder and board member for the Pikes Peak Education Connection that created and provided free Internet access for 10 Pikes Peak area school districts. His favorite job was 15 summers as a Seasonal Supervisory Park Ranger Naturalist Rocky Mountain National Park. During his park service summers he sold prints through many gift shops in Grand Lake and Estes Park. He published “Focus on Photography: A Simple Guide to Better Pictures” and recently completed a book titled "Colorado Mountain Passes: The States Most Accessible High Country Roadways," published by Westcliffe Publishers. His hobbies and interests include hiking, biking, skiing, travel, and photography. Artists Artwork Collection

Tara Novak Chair Mountain girl, artist, entrepreneur… A Vail Valley resident for over 25 years, Tara’s abstract paintings depict the textures and ever-changing colors in the mountains and waterways of Mother Nature’s landscapes. After attaining her degree from RIT, Snowboarding took over her world in 1994. She spent several years competing in pro circuits and teaching at Vail and Beaver Creek Resorts, where she fell in love with the pure joy of riding in the Aspen glades. Tara’s main bread n’butter is her company, Custom Creations Inc. Working with contractors, interior designers, and homeowners in the resort communities of Vail, she provides artful solutions for decorative wall finishes, woodwork and antique restoration, and fine art commissions. Tara founded the art cooperative ARTSPaCE workshop+gallery. This space is Tara’s home studio, while also continuing to grow as a thriving hub for local artists and community collaboration. In 2020 and 2021, Tara was awarded public art projects in the Vail Valley – decoratively painting six benches in Avon and a utility box in Riverwalk in Edwards as part of a community vitality installation. Most recently, Tara won awards for the 2021, 2022 and 2024 “Best of Vail Valley” competition: Best Visual Artist and Best Art Gallery.

Natalie Chudacoff Mixed-Media Natalie Thompson, of The Knitten Cat, is a self-taught independent yarn dyer and spinner. Her work includes one of a kind small batch color stories on a variety of yarn weights, hand-spun yarn from her hand-dyed natural fibers, and hand made gifts. Natalie studied art therapy in college, and taught children in a variety of settings including summer camp, middle school and library programs. Natalie has lived in the Vail Valley for more than 15 years and proudly calls Avon home with her husband Brian, new son Norman and their cat D’Artagnon. She is so thrilled to be a part of VVAG and to be the artist in residence at the gallery in Avon. Natalie Thompson, of The Knitten Cat, is a self-taught independent yarn dyer and spinner. Her work includes one of a kind small batch color stories on a variety of yarn weights, hand-spun yarn from her hand-dyed natural fibers, and hand made gifts. Natalie studied art therapy in college, and taught children in a variety of settings including summer camp, middle school and library programs. Natalie has lived in the Vail Valley for more than 15 years and proudly calls Avon home with her husband Brian, new son Norman and their cat D’Artagnon. She is so thrilled to be a part of VVAG and to be the artist in residence at the gallery in Avon. Artists Artwork Collection

Vail Valley Art Guild Calendar of Events March 2026 Today Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 10:00 AM Call For Submissions 3 4 5 6 5:00 PM First Friday Gallery Night 7 11:30 AM Photography Group Outing- Leadville Ski-Joring 8 9 3:30 PM VVAG Board Meeting 10 11 6:00 PM Mastering iPhone 12 13 14 1:00 PM Mastering iPhone 15 16 5:00 PM Art Talk: Kelle Roberts- Hidden in Plain Sight: Little - Known Woman Artists and the Legacies They Shaped 17 18 10:00 AM Winter Mini Workshop: Squeegee Art with Cindy Duncan 6:00 PM iPhone Camera 19 6:00 PM Photo Group Monthly Meeting - Raj Manickam - The Art of Observation: Storytelling with Photography 20 21 1:00 PM iPhone Camera 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 10:00 AM Workshop: Becky Kiser’s Rain-Sticks 29 30 31 1 2 3 5:00 PM First Friday Gallery Night 4 5 6 10:00 AM Call For Submissions 7 8 9 10 11 10:00 AM Workshop: Play with Color Theory with Cindy Duncan

Patti DIXON Painter, Sculptor, Mixed-Media An an interior designer for many years, I have always loved color and art. I am so fortunate to express my passion of art in my free time. I love the medium of house paint, acyric and oil paint. I also dabble a bit in alabaster stone sculpture. It's so fun just to play in the art studio without a care in the wold. An an interior designer for many years, I have always loved color and art. I am so fortunate to express my passion of art in my free time. I love the medium of house paint, acyric and oil paint. I also dabble a bit in alabaster stone sculpture. It's so fun just to play in the art studio without a care in the wold. Artists Artwork Collection

Michael Hefferon Photographer, Mixed-Media, Digital-Artist I live in the space between dreams and reality, on the edge of the matrix inside the glitch , constantly dancing between what is, what was, and what has yet to be. I push the boundaries of possible and impossible in pursuit of what it truly means to be alive. Attempting to live a life rooted in truth, beauty, freedom, and above all else, love. To love my life through expression of a feeling, a motion, a memory, a thought, or a fleeting moment. My work is about shifting perspective, capturing fragments of life and experience, gathering bits of visual data and energy as they move through the universe, and turning them into something you don’t just see, but feel. That pursuit has led me to create large format artifacts, physical objects, digital works, visual motion, moving light, and vibration, both visual and audible. My art exists across the tangible and intangible worlds. Some pieces you can own, hold, and touch, while others live in a virtual space, experienced only through sight and sound. Each work begins as an image, a video, or a sound fragment that evolves through vision, adaptation, and artistic stylization, bringing the digital into the physical through unique layering techniques and material transformation. The result is work that feels alive, holding movement even in stillness. I’m driven by an unwavering desire to grow, to expand my understanding of what’s possible while I’m here, and to leave behind a body of work that lives beyond me. At its core, my art is about connection, creating visuals that speak to others, stir something inside them, and move them to act. It’s about loving your life, accepting the moment, and having the patience and courage to create anyway. I live in the space between dreams and reality, on the edge of the matrix inside the glitch , constantly dancing between what is, what was, and what has yet to be. I push the boundaries of possible and impossible in pursuit of what it truly means to be alive. Attempting to live a life rooted in truth, beauty, freedom, and above all else, love. To love my life through expression of a feeling, a motion, a memory, a thought, or a fleeting moment. My work is about shifting perspective, capturing fragments of life and experience, gathering bits of visual data and energy as they move through the universe, and turning them into something you don’t just see, but feel. That pursuit has led me to create large format artifacts, physical objects, digital works, visual motion, moving light, and vibration, both visual and audible. My art exists across the tangible and intangible worlds. Some pieces you can own, hold, and touch, while others live in a virtual space, experienced only through sight and sound. Each work begins as an image, a video, or a sound fragment that evolves through vision, adaptation, and artistic stylization, bringing the digital into the physical through unique layering techniques and material transformation. The result is work that feels alive, holding movement even in stillness. I’m driven by an unwavering desire to grow, to expand my understanding of what’s possible while I’m here, and to leave behind a body of work that lives beyond me. At its core, my art is about connection, creating visuals that speak to others, stir something inside them, and move them to act. It’s about loving your life, accepting the moment, and having the patience and courage to create anyway. Artists Artwork Collection

Soodi Kick Painter, Mixed-Media Love of nature, gratitude for life and passion for creating arts. I started painting when I realized my ability to communicate with others, was a lot more sincere through artwork. I could draw from an unconscious space touching the creative side of me that was much more collective and coherent than my verbal communication. My head could be confused and crowded with thoughts but my creativity was simple, clear, and kind. So naturally it was for me to choose to be an artist. Love of nature, gratitude for life and passion for creating arts. I started painting when I realized my ability to communicate with others, was a lot more sincere through artwork. I could draw from an unconscious space touching the creative side of me that was much more collective and coherent than my verbal communication. My head could be confused and crowded with thoughts but my creativity was simple, clear, and kind. So naturally it was for me to choose to be an artist. Artists Artwork Collection