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Donate via Credit Card or PayPal Donate via Check Vail Valley Art Guild P.O. Box 9733 Avon, CO 81620 Questions? Contact Us

Nancy Andresen < Back Nancy Andresen The Search 2022 CMC Fine Arts Show Animals Painting using Oil on Canvas 8X8 Inquire Previous Next

< Back Raymond Bleesz 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. Previous Next

Michelle Cawood < Back Michelle Cawood Lantern 2022 CMC Fine Arts Show Still Life Photography using Digital Camera on Paper 24"h 16"w Inquire Previous Next

David Shapiro < Back David Shapiro Covered vessel 2022 CMC Fine Arts Show Functional Ceramics using Clay on Ceramics 14”x4” Inquire Previous Next

The Vail Valley Art Guild is dedicated to enriching lives by fostering and promoting artistic growth and building awareness of the visual arts in Eagle County, Colorado. Artists can show work in our art gallery. We offer learn to paint events. About Us About Us About Us About Us News News News News The Vail Valley Art Guild is dedicated to enriching lives by fostering and promoting artistic growth and building awareness of the visual arts in Eagle County. We do this by: Connecting local visual artists to an artistic community Creating exhibition and gallery opportunities for local visual artists Sponsoring classes and workshops in the visual arts Supporting visual arts education for our youth and underserved Building awareness of the artistic talent in the Vail Valle The Vail Valley Art Guild (VVAG) was formed in 2014 in order to fill a need in the Vail Valley for an organization created by and for visual artists. We are a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, nearly 125 members strong, serving the community and artists of all ages working in all mediums. Our Art Guild At Avon Gallery is located at 137 Benchmark Rd Suite C2 Avon, CO 81620. Membership benefits include exhibition and sales opportunities in our gallery, two of three Eagle County Public Libraries, the Town of Vail Public Library, and in special shows at Colorado Mountain College or venues such as the Eagle Airport Jet Center. We hold monthly educational meetings, offer discounts for workshops, publish a bi-monthly newsletter and organize art related trips. Members In The News: Exhibiting Strength with Speak Up Reach Out Margo Thomas Nov 6 1 min read Guild Guide - November 2025 Margo Thomas Nov 4 1 min read Celebrating Our Summer Artist Instructors, Students, and Volunteers for the 2025 Summer Artist Workshops! Vail Valley Art Guild Oct 3 4 min read Guild Guide - October Vail Valley Art Guild Oct 1 2 min read Guild Guide - September Vail Valley Art Guild Aug 31 2 min read The Art Guild at Avon is our primary gallery. Open for Gallery Nights, workshops, painting studios, and kids classes. Our general hours are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 1-6. Contact Us for private viewings. Learn more Thu, Dec 18 Photography Group • 🎄Holiday Happy Hour🎄 • Fiesta Jalisco, Avon / Fiesta Jalisco Learn more Dec 18, 2025, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Fiesta Jalisco, 240 Chapel Pl # 129, Avon, CO 81620 What says “happy holidays” better than a margarita, beer or sparkling water with friends during happy hour at a local Mexican restaurant!?! So, for those of us in the Valley, let’s get together for an informal “happy hour” on Thursday Dec. 18th from 5:30-7:30p at Fiesta Jalisco in Avon‼️ Load More Next Event Next Event Next Event Next Event Contact Galleries Events & Workshops Donate Become a Member Volunteer

Amazing in-person artist workshops in Eagle County, Vail, Beaver Creek, Colorado. Art classes. Learn to paint from professional artists No events at the moment Back to All Workshops

Lynn Feiger < Back Lynn Feiger Over-whelmed 2022 CMC Fine Arts Show Figure / Portrait Painting using Acrylic on Canvas 46x30 Inquire Previous Next

Age 5-8 See Kids Calendar No events at the moment

Mason Torry < Back Mason Torry Along the Eagle 2022 CMC Fine Arts Show Landscape Painting using Oil on Canvas 8" x 10" Inquire Previous Next

The Vail Valley Art Guild is the only visual arts non-profit serving all of Eagle County, we rely on partners and donors to provide resources that help achieve our goals. Without thier support, we would struggle to sustain our operations and make a meaningful impact for our members and our community.  By working together, we create positive change by creating opportunities for our members, providing outreach and education, and building awareness of the artistic talent in Eagle County. Partners and Donors As the only visual arts non-profit serving all of Eagle County, we rely on partners, donors, and volunteers to help achieve our mission: enriching lives by fostering and promoting artistic growth and building awareness of the visual arts in Eagle County. Without their support, we would struggle to sustain our operations and make a meaningful impact for our members and our community. Together we create opportunities for our members and community by providing outreach & education programs, and building awareness of the artistic talent in Eagle County. "When I moved here, I didn't know where to start with my interest in photography. The Guild helped me get established and provided the confidence for me to show my work at local libraries." -Guild member Partners Donors In-kind Donors Volunteers Colorado Mountain College Eagle Arts Eagle County School District Eagle County Veterans Services Eagle Valley Library District The Charter at Beaver Creek Town of Avon Town of Vail Public Library Vail Daily Partnerships are collaborative relationships with the shared goal of advancing our mission and objectives. Our partnerships include other non-profit organizations, businesses, government agencies, and community groups. They provide valuable support and resources, such as access to funding, increased visibility and reach, and the ability to leverage different skills and strengths. This is essential for amplifying our impact and creating positive experiences for our members and community. Our Premium & Sponsor Members Andrew Graham Beth Runyon Catherine Bennett Janet Burmeister Jennifer Haunschild John Gary McDavid Mio Cirkovic Neil & Caroline Stewart Financial Supporters Arkay Foundation Chris Sena Colorado Creative Industries El Pomar Foundation Joann and Ed Levy Laura Moore Lynn Feiger & Woddy Woodruff Melissa & Kurt Nelson Rosalyn Reed Slifer, Smith and Frampton Susan and Harry Frampton The Bunkhouse, Minturn The Charter at Beaver Creek The National Endowment for the Arts Town of Avon Vail Valley Cares Donors are organizations or individuals who provide financial support to help achieve our mission and goals. We rely on the generosity of donors to continue our work and make a positive impact for our members and community. Did you know you could become a Premium or Sponsor Member today? By doing so, you receive all of the member benefits plus the satisfaction of knowing you are supporting our mission! Contact Us if you'd like to convert your current membership. Becky Kaiser Bob Will Chris Sena Joanne Carhart Levy Lynn Feiger Margo Thomas Melissa Nelson Pam O'Hara Patti Dixon Raymond Bleesz Rick Spitzer Tara Novak Volunteers are Guild members who provide the gift of time for catalog building, managing our galleries and events, technology support, content authoring, member services, teaching, and communication. Bill Rey Dahl Plumbing KH Webb Architects Randall Case Riverwalk Wine and Spirits Stone Concepts The Bunkhouse In-kind donors are organizations who provide products to help achieve our mission and goals. We rely on the generosity of in-kind donors to continue our work and make a positive impact for our members and community.

Solicitud de beca en español 2024 Campamentos para niños y lecciones de música Aplicación de beca Primer nombre Apellido Email Teléfono Eagle County Dirección Calificación * Required Mi residencia principal está en in Eagle County Tell us a little bit about you Tengo una necesidad financiera Hablo inglés como segundo idioma. Soy miembro de una clase protegida de Colorado+ + Ejemplos de clases protegidas incluyen raza, color, religión, origen nacional/ascendencia, sexo, embarazo, discapacidad, orientación sexual, incluido el estado transgénero, edad, estado civil y estado familiar. ¿Por qué estás solicitando esta beca? Entregar