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Demystify how to price your art! Learn a basic pricing model and the impacts impact your pricing. Presented by Margo Thomas Find out how pricing a product will convey its relative value and quality.   Find your Sweet Spot. Art prices trend more like luxury items (eg a Rolex watch) and less like commodity items (package of socks) Cost+ Pricing Model Market Pricing Model Free Presentation Free Worksheet

A lot is happening in August as late summer will be quickly transitioning into early fall. There are still workshops to attend. And, if you have never tried painting outdoors – en plein air – but have been curious or even intimidated, now's the time to give it a try. Or if you have an iPhone and want to go beyond point-and-shoot and learn some neat tricks, that opportunity is available as well! ... and then there is an all-member annual potluck , Gallery Night , Affordable Art Fair .... read on! Jump to: Aug 3: Gallery Gallery Night Workshops Aug 8: Jessica Pinto Mini Workshop Aug 21-22: Randall Case Workshop Aug 24: iPhone Camera Mini Workshop Aug 28-30: Don Sahli Workshop Sep 4-6: Peggy McGivern and Margy Foertsch Workshop Sep 7: 1-Day Mini Workshop with Mio Cirkovic Events Aug 17: The Affordable Art Fair is back Aug 18 Member Potluck Month of August: Member Public Library Exhib its Aug 6,7,13,14: Guitar Lessons and Percussion Lessons Aug 29: VVAG Photography Group Meeting September 8, 9, 10, 11: Open Studio Art Days July Recap ... and for a quick little July re-cap SAVE THE DATE! The biggie: The Annual CMC Art and Jazz Show.... stay tuned for our formal announcement and how to participate Tech tip: don't forget to user our Search bar at the top of the screen to find anything! Workshops Reserve your spot now as these sell out quickly! Acrylic Artistry with Jessica Pinto Mini Workshop "Step by Step Acrylics" Unleash your inner artist! This class is perfect for beginner and intermediate painters and is the last in a series that has been offered all summer. Final call.... register today! August 8, 2024 • 5:30 AM to 7:30 PM Art Guild at Avon Gallery, 137 Benchmark Rd., Suite C2, Avon, CO 81620 CLICK HERE for complete information and to register!   back to top Randall Case Workshop "Acrylics with Oil Pastels" Attain abstract or realistic paintings in stunning colors employing simple techniques using acrylics with oil pastels. August 21 - 22, 2024 • 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Art Guild at Avon Gallery, 137 Benchmark Rd., Suite C2, Avon, CO 81620 back to top iPhone Camera Mini Workshop Learn how to make the most with your iPhone photography ventures! Only $50 and open to the public. August 24, 2024 • 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Art Guild at Avon Gallery, 137 Benchmark Rd., Suite C2, Avon, CO 81620 back to top Don Sahli Workshop We are excited to present this 3-day workshop, featuring 2 days in-studio and 1 day outside – plein air. Don has been a longtime, popular instructor in the valley for many years and we are delighted to have him back this summer. Level: Advanced beginner to professional. August 28 – 30, 2024 • 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Art Guild at Avon Gallery, 137 Benchmark Rd., Suite C2, Avon, CO 81620 CLICK HERE for complete information and to register! back to top Peggy McGivern and Margy Foertsch Workshop "Collage and Composition" We will explore the absolute random FUN of working with photos, old paintings, textures, and anything else you can imagine, including incorporating collage into abstract work. September 4 - 6, 2024 • 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Art Guild at Avon Gallery, 137 Benchmark Rd., Suite C2, Avon, CO 81620 CLICK HERE for complete information and to register!   back to top 1-Day Mini Workshop with Mio Cirkovic Introduction to Plein Air Artists new to plein air painting will learn set-up, tools to succeed in plein air, and identification of composition crucial for plein air paintings. This is an outside class. September 7, 2024 • 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM 2-Day Plein Air Workshop with Mio Cirkovic Painting Fall Colors The Rocky Mountains will be raging with color and beckoning to you to join us outside! If you attended Mio's Introduction to Plein Air workshop, keep up the momentum and register for this one... you are ready! September 24- 25, 2024 • 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM back to top Events Aug 3 Gallery Gallery Night Join us for a great evening... Open to the public! Our Gallery Night exhibit includes various forms of art: paintings, sculptures, photographs, installations, and mixed media pieces. This exhibit showcases the works of our members, exploring personal messages and emotions of their art. If you are a visitor, please consider a purchase ... Not only do you get to enjoy a beautiful piece of art forever, but you are also supporting your local non-profit art community and the individual artists who put their hearts and souls into each work. Refreshments served! August 3, 2024 • 5:00 PM Art Guild at Avon Gallery, 137 Benchmark Rd., Suite C2, Avon, CO 81620 Gallery Night is brought to you in part by our Platinum Members , The National Endowment for the Arts , and Colorado Creative Industries . back to top The Affordable Art Fair is back This is Vail Valley Art Guild's annual fundraiser! Plan to attend and volunteer for this half day event at Minturn Farmers Market. We need donations of art and photography from membership to sell to members of the community. Always a fun time to present your work in this festive atmosphere! August 17, 2024 • 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM • Historic Downtown Minturn, CO CLICK HERE to learn more back to top Aug 18 Member Potluck Don't miss this annual feast! Held at a member's private home in Edwards, come and share food, friendship, and a good time with fellow members. Sunday, August 18. Open Studio Art Days Join fellow artists Soodi Kick and Lynn Feiger at our Avon gallery and paint and create and be inspired! All mediums and levels are welcome. Free to members & $25 for non-members. Please RSVP if a VVAG member and reserve your spot if a non-member. Multiple dates: September 8, 9, 10, 11, 2024 • 11::00 AM to 4:00 PM CLICK HERE for additional information and to sign up Art Guild at Avon Gallery, 137 Benchmark Rd., Suite C2, Avon, CO 81620 back to top VVAG Photography Group Meeting August 29, 2024 • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Art Guild at Avon Gallery, 137 Benchmark Rd., Suite C2, Avon, CO 81620 Join our lively photography group each month for various topics. Meetings are free for members. Membership available at meeting. back to top Member Public Library Exhibits in August Raj Manickan will be showing his photography at the Avon Public Library Month of August • 200 Mikaela Way, Avon, CO Bibiana Rivero will be showing her work at the Vail Public Library Month of August • 292 West Meadow Drive, Vail, CO back to top Guitar Lessons and Percussion Lessons Open to the public and for ages 15 and up. There are dates remaining during the first two weeks in August as summer is winding down... CLICK HERE to see available dates on the events calendar. 5:30 to 7:30 PM  Art Guild at Avon Gallery, 137 Benchmark Rd., Suite C2, Avon, CO 81620 back to top ... and for a quick little July re-cap July started out with a bang (literally) with Independence Day celebrations that included the Annual Eagle County Veteran’s Art Show and Reception • and then it got busier... Christian Dore 1-Day Workshop • Kim Casebeer 2-Day Workshop • Cindy Kelleher watercolor interactive presentation at the July Member Meeting • Member field trip to art centers in Basalt and Carbondale • VVAG participation at the Avon Arts Festival • Plus a robust children's art program • Adult evening mini-workshops in acrylics • Adult and children's music offerings.... whew! back to top On the horizon... The biggie: The Annual CMC Art and Jazz Show .... stay tuned! Celebrating our 11th year in September! back to top Gift Cards Now you can support your local non-profit art community by giving the gift of art. And bonus: your recipient can pick exactly what they'd like!

As the summer sizzles, VVAG offers some COOL! Workshops   Christian Dore iPhone Photos, Kim Casebeer (SOLD OUT) Christian Dore Workshop: Abstract Drawing & Painting 1-Day Monday, July 08, 2024, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Art Guild at Avon Gallery, 137 Benchmark Rd., Suite C2, Avon, CO 81620 Learn from the esteemed Christian Dore and his amazing techniques! Christian will show you his unique and structured sketching techniques moving on to acrylic abstracts. This workshop is a great opportunity to learn the basics of abstracts with minimal supplies needed. All levels are welcome! iPhone Camera Mini Workshop with Rick Spitzer Only $50. Open to the Public. Very Popular this Summer!   Learn how to make the most with your iPhone photography ventures! Rick Spitzer will show you how to use your iPhone camera to shoot amazing photos of all kinds. Often the iPhone is the only camera you have with you so it is good to learn all the tips and tricks for great photos. Android phones can also produce many quality photos.    Pro tip: The newer your iPhone, the better. Be sure you have the latest IOS update installed.    Workshops on: Saturday, July 13, 2024, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Saturday, August 17, 2024, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM   Art Guild at Avon Gallery, 137 Benchmark Rd, Avon, Suite C2, CO 81620, USA   Kim Casebeer Workshop | Sold Out Painting Movement in Clouds July 18-19, 2024 • Art Guild at Avon Gallery Art for Kids Summer Camps | Classes Throughout the Summer Join Our Art for Kids Summer Camp WE NEED YOUR HELP TO SPREAD THE WORD! Please pass this info along to your friends and family living in or visiting the valley this summer Register your kids now for 1 or more days. Register multiple children or for a full week and save!! Scholarships available. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC . BILINGUAL Contact Jessica Pinto artbypinto@gmail.com if you have questions Art + Music 9:00 -12:30 A vibrant and dynamic Art-Music Fusion class, where creativity knows no bounds and expression takes center stage! Designed for young minds eager to explore the colorful realms of both visual art and melodious tunes, this class offers a unique blend of artistic exploration and musical discovery. Art 1:00 - 3:30 Welcome to our Creative Kids Art Class, where imagination takes flight and every brushstroke tells a story! Designed for budding young artists, this class offers a fun and engaging exploration of various art mediums and techniques. back to top New!   Meet Jessica and learn the basics of acrylic painting. Open to the Public. Bilingual. Introductory pricing of $35/class. Additional dates: July 11, 25, Aug 8 Take a look at our entire schedule of Artist Workshops. Please register in advance to secure your spot today! New this Summer ! Music Lessons | Age 15+ Only $30 for VVAG members. $35 for non-members. Open to the Public. Bilingual. 30% off when registering for 4 or more classes. Only $30 for VVAG members. $35 for non-members.  Open  to the Public. Bilingual. 30% off when registering for 4 or more classes. Free for Members If you are not a member, you can join now or at the event. VVAG Artist Member Meeting Jul 15, 2024, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM Art Guild at Avon, 137 Benchmark Rd. Suite C2, Avon, CO 81620 Watercolor with Cindy Kelleher! Join fellow members for an interactive watercolor exercise guided by member Cindy Kelleher. VVAG Photography Meeting Jul 25, 2024, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM Art Guild at Avon, 137 Benchmark Rd. Suite C2, Avon, CO 81620 Join our lively photography group each month for various topics. Meetings are free for members. Membership available at meeting. New ! Student Section | designed for art students Join for free & check out our staff picks for members aged 15+. Free Receptions & Open to the Public Registration is optional but encouraged because we'd love to get your feedback after the event. Join us for July's First Friday at the Art Guild at Avon // July 5th 137 W Benchmark Rd, Suite C, Avon, CO 81620 Free and open to the public! 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.    Our July First Friday art exhibit is where creativity and imagination come to life. Featuring our local artists putting their “best foot forward” for you!   Our Gallery Night exhibit includes various forms of art, such as paintings, sculptures, photographs, installations, and mixed media pieces. This exhibit showcases the works of our members, exploring personal messages and emotions of their art.     Volunteers and some of the artists will be on hand to explain their works. Visitors are encouraged to simply enjoy each piece, immersing themselves in a delightful visual experience. Please consider a purchase while visiting. Not only do you get to enjoy a beautiful piece of art forever, but you are also supporting your local non-profit art community and the individual artists who put their hearts and souls into each work.       Gallery Night is brought to you in part by our Platinum Members, The National Endowment for the Arts, and Colorado Creative Industries.   Reminders: There will be no Second Friday event this month at the Eagle Gallery Artwork drop off is at the Art Guild at Avon from 9am-1pm on Friday July 5 Library Exhibits Eagle County Veterans' Art Show Please join us for the Second Annual Eagle County Veteran's Art Show in partnership with the Vail Public Library & Eagle County Veterans Services. Jacki Allen-Benson, a Vietnam Era Marine, VVAG member, and Assistant Veterans Services Officer for Eagle County, is devoting the July Vail Library Exhibit to the Second Annual Eagle County Veteran's Art Show. The exhibit will be open to the public for the entire month of July, during normal library hours, and coincides with the Vail America Days 4th of July Parade. Vail Public Library, 292 W Meadow Dr, Vail, CO 81657 New ! Gift Cards Now you can support your local non-profit art community by giving the gift of art. And bonus: your recipient can pick exactly what they'd like! back to top

We've got a whopper of a month planned just for you! Jump To: Announcing The Art Guild at Avon & June 14 Grand Opening Art for Kids Summer Camps Start in June Artist and Photographer Workshops Music Lessons Free for Members New! Student Section | designed for art students Free Receptions Open to the Public Library Exhibits New! Gift Cards .... and more! Art Guild at Avon Grand Opening | Friday, June 14 We are thrilled to announce our newest location in Avon, The Heart of the Valley! Stop by and be part of the festivities as we celebrate our opening. Local artists have prepared a visual delight for all who stop by. – Free and open to the public. Friday June 14 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Art Guild at Avon Gallery, 137 W Benchmark Rd, Suite C, Avon, CO 81620 Do you want to show your work at the Grand Opening? There is no theme this month. Just put Your Best Foot Forward. Here are the details about drop off. Registration is optional but encouraged so you have an opportunity to provide feedback about the drop off process. back to top Art for Kids Summer Camps | First Classes start June 3 Our Art for Kids Summer Camp starts on Monday June 3rd in Avon, beginning with a morning Art + Music offering and an afternoon Art offering. WE NEED YOUR HELP TO SPREAD THE WORD! Please pass this info along to your friends and family living in or visiting the valley this summer Register your kids now for 1 or more days. Register multiple children or for a full week and save!! Scholarships available. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC . BILINGUAL Contact Jessica Pinto artbypinto@gmail.com if you have questions Art + Music 9:00 -12:30 A vibrant and dynamic Art-Music Fusion class, where creativity knows no bounds and expression takes center stage! Designed for young minds eager to explore the colorful realms of both visual art and melodious tunes, this class offers a unique blend of artistic exploration and musical discovery. Art 1:00 - 3:30 Welcome to our Creative Kids Art Class, where imagination takes flight and every brushstroke tells a story! Designed for budding young artists, this class offers a fun and engaging exploration of various art mediums and techniques. back to top Workshops | Jami & Composition, Jessica & Acrylics, Rick and iPhone Photos, Joan & Abstract (SOLD OUT) New! Meet Jami and her amazing shortcuts for creating the best composition ever from photo references. NOTE: This workshop is being held on the same first two days as Joan Fullerton's SOLD OUT workshop. Please consider registering for this workshop if you had been waitlisted for Joan. New!   Meet Jessica and learn the basics of acrylic painting. Open to the Public. Bilingual. Introductory pricing of $35/class. 30% discount for booking 4 or more classes. Additional dates: June 27 , July 11, 25, Aug 8 New!   Rick Spitzer will reveal his photography secrets!! $50. Open to the Public. Additional dates: July 13,   Aug 7 SOLD OUT! Take a look at our entire schedule of Artist Workshops. Please register in advance to secure your spot today! back to top New ! Music Lessons | Age 15+ New!   Only $30 for VVAG members. $35 for non-members. Open to the Public. Bilingual. 30% off when registering for 4 or more classes. Additional dates in June: June 5, 12, 19, 26 More dates throughout the summer. New!   Only $30 for VVAG members. $35 for non-members.   Open  to the Public. Bilingual. 30% off when registering for 4 or more classes. Additional dates in June: June 4, 11, 18, 25 More dates throughout the summer. back to top Free for Members If you are not a member, you can join now or at the event. back to top New ! Student Section | designed for art students Join for free & check out our staff picks for members aged 15+. back to top Free Receptions & Open to the Public Registration is optional but encouraged because we'd love to get your feedback after the event. Can't make this date? Attend on Jun 25. Come into town a bit early and take a gondola ride then attend on Jun 25, 2024, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM. back to top Library Exhibits back to top New ! Gift Cards Now you can support your local non-profit art community by giving the gift of art. And bonus: your recipient can pick exactly what they'd like! back to top back to top

We are honored to now be part of the Town of Avon's Culture, Arts & Special Events family by announcing our newest location in Avon. The Art Guild at Avon is in the Heart of the Valley at the Seasons Building, 137 W. Benchmark Road, Suite C2. Melissa Nelson, VVAG President, stated that “Thanks to the Town of Avon we have numerous opportunities this summer for all levels of artists and photographers to explore and expand their creativity through our open-to-the-public workshops and monthly member meetings. Additionally, we are offering summer art camps (some with music) for kids ages five to 14 beginning June 3 through August 16. We invite the community to join us and let art bring joy to your life!” Join us in celebrating at our Grand Opening on July 14 5-8. By creating an RSVP, you will have the opportunity to provide feedback after the event ends. We already have a significant number of activities scheduled including most of our bilingual kids programs, artist workshops, and our new adult music classes. Take a peek and join in on the summer fun. What The Town of Avon is saying about us! Step into the vibrant world of culture, arts, and special events in Avon! We extend a warm welcome and eagerly anticipate your presence this summer at our lineup of unique festivals, captivating concerts, and the enchanting display of our exquisite bronze sculpture collection. Explore the dynamic Art Around Avon temporary installations, the array of offerings at the Art Guild at Avon, which add a touch of artistic flair to our community. With something fun for everyone, Avon is the ultimate destination for a summer filled with excitement.

June 15, July 13, August 17 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Eagle Gallery, 108 W 2nd St, Eagle, CO 81631, USA Rick Spitzer can show you how to use your iPhone camera to shoot amazing photos of all kinds. A lot of times the iPhone is the only camera you have with you so it is good to learn all the tips and tricks for great photos. Android phones can also produce many quality photos. The newer your iPhone, the better. Be sure you have the latest IOS update installed. Fee: $50 Ages 15 and up.

Join wildlife photographer and naturalist Rick Spitzer at one of the local libraries to learn about the life and impact of bears in Eagle County. Discover many facts about our furry friends and how they interact with people in the county. Tips on being safe and “Bear Aware" will be included. Learn what you can do to protect yourself and the bears. There will be some bear related giveaways. Bring the kids. Presented by the Eagle County Community Wildlife Roundtable. Avon Public Library – Tuesday, May 14th, 5:30pm 200 Mikaela Way, Avon, CO 81620 Vail Public Library – Thursday, May 16th, 5:30pm 292 West Meadow Drive, Vail, CO 81657 Eagle Public Library – Tuesday, May 21st, 6:00pm 600 Broadway St., Eagle, CO 81631 Gypsum Public Library – Thursday, May 23rd, 5:30pm 47 Lundgren Blvd., Gypsum, CO 81637

Breaking News! Summer Workshop Added August 21-22: Randall Case      Randall Case is presenting a mixed media class to help students attain abstract or realistic paintings in stunning colorations by employing simple techniques using acrylics along with oil pastels. He has been a VVAG featured workshop instructor in the past and we are fortunate to see him return to our series. Randall is known for his large scale abstract landscapes and florals and exhibits in top-notch juried art festivals in as many of his favorite travel destinations as possible. Level: Advanced beginner-professional Medium: acrylic and oil pastel   9:30 AM – 4:00 PM May Call for Submissions Monday – May 6th from 10am to 2pm Drop off Location: Eagle Gallery 108 W. 2nd Street Eagle, CO 81631 The themes for May are "The Beauty Myth" and/or "Blue". Please drop off up to three of your works that are your interpretation of one or both of these themes. If you have work that was displayed in March & April, please stop by to pick it up, even if you do not have anything to drop off. LIBRARY EXHIBITS FREE! Gypsum Public Library Exhibit Eagle Valley High School AP Art students All month during normal library operating hours Location: Gypsum Public Library 47 Lundgren Boulevard Gypsum, CO 81637 At the Gypsum Public Library, Eagle Valley High School AP Art students will present their portfolio exhibit. FREE! Avon Public Library Exhibit Battle Mountain High School AP Art students All month during normal library operating hours Location: Avon Public Library 200 Mikaela Way Avon, CO 81620 In collaboration with the Avon Public Library, Battle Mountain High School AP Art students will present their portfolio exhibit. FREE! Second Friday Gallery Night Friday - May 8th from 5pm to 8pm Location: Eagle Gallery 108 W. 2nd Street Eagle, CO 81631 Join us for a wonderful evening celebrating local art! March will feature work from artists and photographers and their interpretation of  "The Beauty Myth" and "Blue".   Please stop by to see our newest exhibit and enjoy some light refreshments. Second Friday Gallery Night is brought to you in part by our Platinum Members, The National Endowment for the Arts, and Colorado Creative Industries. Board Meeting Monday - May 13th 3:30pm to 5:30pm Location: Art Guild at Avon 137 Benchmark Road Suite C2 Avon, Colorado 81620 Open to the Public. Only $50! Learn how to incorporate perspective into your abstract artwork with Margo Thomas. Whether you are curious about abstracts, you need a refresher, or you want the comradery of creating in a group, this workshop is for you! Check out her Tedx Talk on Perspective then sign up for the workshop. FREE! VVAG Member Meeting Monday - May 20th Social: 5pm (bring a snack or appetizer to share) Meeting: 5:30pm to 7:30pm Location: Avon Gallery 137 Benchmark Rd, Suite C2 Avon, CO 81620 Join us for: Intro to Artwork Archive – Artwork Management Software Platform with Tara Novak. FREE! Feeling overwhelmed with all your great work product? We have the solution! Tara Novak will be showing us how to use an online inventory system to track artwork and photography.  FREE! Photography Meeting Thursday - May 28th Fellowship: 6:30 pm    Meeting: 7:00pm to 9:00pm Location: Avon Gallery 137 Benchmark Rd, Suite C2 Avon, CO 81620 Join our lively photography group each month for various topics. Meetings are free for members. Breaking News! June Outing Just Added FREE! Members Outing to Powers Art Center in Carbondale and Korologos Gallery in Basalt. Friday - June 7th Join us for: A day trip outing to the Powers Art Center in Carbondale and the Korologos Gallery in Basalt. For carpooling, please contact Joann: 970-471-0653. We will be leaving the CMC parking lot, time to be determined. Please bring cash, in small bills, to pay for lunch in Basalt. This self-guided tour of the Powers Art Center is a great getaway experience. Currently on exhibit is "Wrapped" – An Artistic Study of Fabric – Featuring Works by Issey Miyake and Christo & Jeanne-Claude. APRIL RECAP April was a busy month for Guild members! Monthly Second Friday in at our Eagle Gallery Mini-Workshops (Watercolors with Elaine Kuntz) Free Member Meeting: Pastels with Joann Carhart Levy and Laura Moore Library Exhibit with Katie Dolan Landscape Painting with Mio Circovic The Vail Valley Art Guild offers a full range of activities: from exhibiting your work, to taking a workshop, attending membership meetings (which feature an educational aspect), plein air painting days, photography ventures, to volunteering at Guild events... the opportunities for fun and service are plenty! Sneak Peek at May announcements.....

Meet Your Artist: Katie Dolan Get to know your Vail Valley artists Entertainment ENTERTAINMENT | Apr 12, 2024 Tricia Swenson tswenson@vaildaily.com Photographer Katie Dolan says she always takes her camera with her to capture the unexpected. Katie Dolan/Courtesy photo Q: How long have you lived in the valley and what brought you here? A: My husband and I moved to the valley 15 years ago to be close to the ski slopes and close to my sister in Denver. It turned out to be even better than we expected, as we discovered new hiking trails, the Back Bowls, sharing the beauty of the valley with grown kids and grandchildren, and the joy of being in the woods with our two Newfoundland dogs. Q: Where did your passion for art and photography come from? A: My father was a great amateur photographer who spent hours (and many dollars) buying bulky underwater photography equipment. After he ran out of film or his lights needed recharging, he would ignore the beauty of the coral reefs and immediately head for the surface. I share his desire to try to capture on film what I see and, as a result, have way too many shots of the sunrise over the Gore Range. But it sure is breathtaking! Stop in and see Katie Dolan’s photography on display at the Vail Public Library during the month of April. Katie Dolan/Courtesy photo Q: Describe your style of art. A: I particularly enjoy close shots of animals, clearly seeing the eyes creates a special intimacy and beauty. I use a long lens, so I can get images of wild creatures without getting too close. I also love the serendipity of wildlife photography and bring my camera wherever I go. As a fellow photographer has said, “My camera is like a third arm.” Katie Dolan hopes that her photography helps people appreciate the wonder of Colorado’s wild places and animals. Katie Dolan/Courtesy photo Q: Who are your favorite artists? A: Among photographers, I admire Rick Spitzer’s ability to find the rare and wonderful wild animal shot. Sabra Field, who is a fellow Middlebury College graduate, creates stunning and colorful block prints of natural scenes, mostly in Vermont. I love the vibrancy of her work. In addition, I recently had two of my photos in the Side-by-Side exhibit and loved working with the talented Hazel Murray and Laurie Bower. Q: Tell us about one of your favorite pieces that you’ve worked on. A: One very cold January evening, a fellow photographer and I lugged our tripods and cameras out to capture the rising Wolf Moon over the Gore Range. The resulting photograph is one of my favorites. I like the way the moon is cradled by the dip in the range and love the memories of that very frigid but fun adventure. Katie Dolan photographed the Wolf Moon rising over the Gore Range east of Vail on a cold January night. Katie Dolan/Courtesy photo Q: Who has helped you along the way? Who/what inspires you? A: The local photography group has been a wonderful way to learn new skills and find new places to photograph. The group meets monthly and sets up trips to special places around Colorado. I’ve photographed bison at the National Armory, Denver’s holiday lights, and Monte Vista’s sandhill cranes with fellow members of the group. I especially like wildlife photography and have been grateful to Rick Spitzer and Melissa Lipton for sharing their ideas and help. I teach a Conservation Storytelling course to veterinary medicine and conservation biology master’s students, and we study the impact of photographs in shaping opinions. Research shows that good pictures of wild animals, especially youngsters, encourage conservation values and behavior. That belief led me to write several illustrated children’s books about wildlife issues, using photographs of local landscapes and animals. Dolan dedicates time to conservation organizations and uses her talents to help spread the word about conservation issues. Katie Dolan/Courtesy photo Q: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be doing? A: When not photographing, I volunteer for several conservation causes, teach and write about conservation issues, Newfoundland dogs and climate change. Fortunately, living in the Vail Valley lets me pursue these varied interests at the same time. However, my dogs do get a little tired of all my stops to take photographs each morning on our hike. Q: What do you hope people take away from your work? A: I hope my photographs help people appreciate the wonder of Colorado’s wild places and animals — cougars, moose, big horn sheep, elk, mule deer, ptarmigan, pikas and wolves. As the world and the Vail Valley get more crowded, we need to work harder to co-exist with wild creatures and find better ways to sustain healthy populations. I will be donating all profits from sales during the exhibit at the Vail Public Library to local wildlife conservation efforts. Q: Where is your work shown (a local gallery) or how/where can people view it? A: An exhibit of my photography is currently at the Vail Public Library during the month of April. People can also go to my website katielangedolan.com to see my work. Reposted with permission from the Vail Daily

Colorado Photographic Arts Center (CPAC) is celebrating the opening of their new gallery space at 1200 Lincoln Street in Denver. As part of their opening, 30 CPAC members were chosen to exhibit their work at the new gallery. Two of our VVAG photographers, Raj Manickam and Raymond Bleesz, were among the 30 CPAC members selected for this special exhibit which features "the best contemporary photography from Colorado and across the country". The exhibition will be open through August 12, 2023. To learn more about CPAC and to preview images of the exhibition click the button below. Congratulations to Tara Novak, of ARTSPaCE and EagleARTS, who is featured in the July 14-20 Vail Daily edition of ART weekly. You can read the article in the print edition of ART weekly or on the online edition.

Congratulations to VVAG members Amy Dose, Pamela Olson and Tara Novak! These talented artists were chosen as part of the Top Five Visual Artists in the Vail Daily Best of Vail Valley 2022-2023 Readers Choice for Best Visual Artist. If you would like to know more about each individual artist and their work, please click on the website link under their name. Amy Dose amydose.com Pamela Olson pamelaolsonartist.com Tara Novak taranovakart.com

"Tricia's Weekend Picks" - Vail Daily dated 11/10/2023 Gallery Night and Benches on Broadway Head to Eagle on Friday night for the Second Friday Gallery Night and view the new benches that will be placed on Broadway Street. Head to downtown Eagle on Friday night to celebrate art and see the new benches that will be placed on Broadway Street. Tara Novak of ARTSPaCE workshop+gallery started this project years ago with the idea of bringing vitality to historic downtown Eagle. “I proposed painting the benches in vibrant motifs to show the personalities and stories of our community,” Novak said. “Starting with two benches that I painted last year, as part of a pilot program, this year EagleARTS nonprofit received more community funding from the town of Eagle to paint three more benches.” (Tara Novak/Courtesy Photo) The Eagle Public Library enlisted the help of kids and senior citizens, asking for design ideas for the benches. “We lined up four local professional artists, who all happen to be active and community-oriented Vail Valley Art Guild members, to each pick one of the design concept submissions to use as their inspiration. Margo Thomas, Mason Torry and husband/wife team Taylor and Jake Jones all started their designs on the benches,” Novak said. The reveal will be this Friday evening at ARTSPaCE workshop+gallery during its Second Friday Gallery Night from 5:30 to 6 p.m. The event runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Go to the Facebook events page to learn more. While in historic downtown Eagle, stop by the Vail Valley Art Guild Gallery in Second Street for its Second Friday Gallery Night. November’s themes are “Blue” and “Around the World.” For more information go to vvagco.org.