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"Meet Your Artist" - by Tricia Swenson Vail Daily dated 12/15/2023 Meet Your Artist: Margo Thomas Get to know your Vail Valley artists The Vail Daily is showcasing area artists in a series called “Meet Your Artist” so you can learn more about those who create and what inspires them. If you are an area artist and would like to be featured in the series, email Tricia Swenson (tswenson@vaildaily.com). Q: How long have you lived in the valley and what brought you here? A: I originally moved to the valley in 1982, then spent several years split between Denver and Vail. Now I’ve been here again full time for the past 11 years. The crisp blue skies and the fresh mountain air brought me here from Detroit, Michigan. Q: Where did your passion for art come from? A: I started taking art classes just after 9/11. I suppose that was my way of coping. It turns out I was pretty good at drawing and painting. I discovered how to communicate through art. Q: Describe your style of art. A: Lately I’ve been focusing on abstract mountain landscapes, inspired by the mountains right here in our valley. Mediums of choice include oil, alcohol ink and acrylics. Some pieces have been digitized for large scale printing and embellishment to fit taste and room space. Q: Who are your favorite artists? A: Of the masters, it would be Pablo Picasso because his works have taught me how to look at subjects through a different lens. One of my art teachers from Denver, Tony Ortega, taught me these key skills: stop before you’re finished; paint using your entire arm; paint what you think you see (not what you actually see). Q: Tell us about one of your favorite pieces that you’ve worked on. A: “Fire Mountain” is a piece that was originally an alcohol ink. I transformed it into a high-resolution digital art piece that can be printed on any surface in any size. It won an award at the 2021 Vail Valley Fine Art Show and is one of the first large-scale pieces I’ve sold to private collectors. Q: Who has helped you along the way? Who/what inspires you? A: The Art Students League of Denver Palette and Chisel Academy, Chicago Vail Valley Art Guild – Melissa Nelson Eagle Arts and ARTSPaCE – Tara Novak Alpine Arts Center – Lauren Merrill My lovely assistant and husband – Greg Thomas My biggest fan and father – Edgar Williams My greatest inspiration comes from hiking and camping right here at home. From sunsets in Edwards to standing at the summit of Vail Mountain. There is always a mountain ridge or a stand of trees to admire. Q: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be doing? A: Recently, I took on the role of art curator. I managed the entire curation project for the newly renovated Charter at Beaver Creek. The homeowner’s association collection is entirely from local artists and photographers. Several pieces are on display as consignments. This was a tremendous opportunity for local artists thanks to East West Properties and The Charter homeowner’s association. I will probably continue in an art curation role for local projects. Check out our first Charter Artwalk on Dec 20. Q: What do you hope people take away from your work? A: My goal is to communicate harmony through visual experiences. Visual art should always tell a story. Many artists make a social or political statement or go for “shock art” to change norms. That is not my goal. I simply hope to provide joy and calm to all. Q: Where is your work shown (a local gallery) or how/where can people view it? A: My work is at the following and you can check out my website: MargoThomas.art Vail Valley Art Guild – Eagle Gallery Eagle Arts and ARTSPaCE – various events Alpine Arts Center Second Street Tavern (formerly Bonfire) – Eagle

"Meet Your Artist" - by Tricia Swenson Vail Daily dated 12/06/2023 Meet Your Artist: Rick Spitzer Get to know your Vail Valley artists The Vail Daily is showcasing area artists in a series called “Meet Your Artist” so you can learn more about those who create and what inspires them. If you are an area artist and would like to be featured in the series, email Tricia Swenson (tswenson@vaildaily.com). Q: How long have you lived in the valley and what brought you here? A: As a Colorado native, I moved to the valley in 2001 and was the technology director for Eagle County Schools. I retired from education in 2006. Q: Where did your passion for art come from? A: National Geographic and Audubon magazine were my primary influences. Q: Describe your style of art. A: My main passion is wildlife photography, but I also enjoy astrophotography. Q: Who are your favorite artists? A: Franz Lanting, Joel Sartore, Amy Gulick, Melissa Groo and others. Q: Tell us about one of your favorite pieces that you’ve worked on. A: My favorite photos were also one of my favorite experiences that involved a mountain lion west of Edwards. Q: Who has helped you along the way? Who/what inspires you? A: I really enjoyed the work I saw in National Geographic. The effort they put into their work has inspired me to try all kinds of photography and equipment. I have made some equipment to meet my needs as well. Q: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be doing? A: My other passion is technology. The technology used to create and edit photographs is really incredible. Q: What do you hope people take away from your work? A: I would hope that people would look at my wildlife photos and be challenged to help save the environment and the animals that are in it. Q: Where is your work shown (a local gallery) or how/where can people view it? A: I have displayed my work at the Vail Valley Art Guild Gallery, all the county libraries and have had many Vail Daily covers and articles. Q: Anything else we should have asked, anything else you’d like to share? A: I do have a concern about where Artificial Intelligence (AI) will take us with fake photos in the future. I frequently see poorly modified photos pass off as real photos, but AI is making it easier to create work. Some photos I have seen that were competition winners were manufactured and not the “real deal.” It is getting more difficult to identify those fakes.

Opinion Valley Voices - by Andrew Pranger Vail Daily dated 01/02/2024 Pranger: Harmonizing winter splendor The vital role arts and culture play alongside outdoor activities in the Vail Valley Our valley epitomizes the term “winter wonderland” with its breathtaking mountain vistas and myriad outdoor activities that beckon adventurers from around the world. Yet, nestled amongst the snow-laden slopes and ski runs, lies a vibrant cultural scene that plays an equally significant role in shaping our communities’ allure during both winter and summer months alike. Our community has done an excellent job juxtaposing world-class fine arts, theatre, dance, and music events with its legendary Back Bowls, Nordic trails, and freestyle courses. At the center of this cultural amalgamation are the numerous community events and festivals that dot the winter calendar. What organizations like EagleArts, Vail Valley Art Guild, and the town of Eagle have accomplished with their Second Friday Artwalks is a perfect example. It’s not just an art event — it’s a celebration of the soul of our community and an opportunity to be exposed to local creatives and foster connections with fellow art lovers. The Vail Valley should be proud that we offer an array of other cultural celebrations, from the Vail Film Festival and Vail Dance Festival to cultural staples like the Vail Valley Fine Art Show held at Colorado Mountain College each year. While winter sports such as snowboarding, skiing, and snowshoeing form the backbone of our community’s allure for our many visitors, the presence of these cultural events acts as a supplementary sweetener, ensuring to attract a diverse set of visitors and maybe even future locals. I am sure we have all heard someone ask the question: What’s there to do after we’re done skiing for the day? Visitors should have an easy time immersing themselves in memorable cultural experiences — many of which are free to participate in. To selfishly put on my local artist hat for a moment … These events also serve as platforms for local artists to showcase their talents. Events like the Vail Valley Fine Art show, Eagle’s Second Friday Artwalks, and the town of Avon’s efforts to bring public sculptures and installations to our sidewalks provide a much-needed stage for emerging artists and makers to exhibit their work, massively contributing to our community’s cultural tapestry. It’s vital to show our far-flung visitors that we have some pretty talented creatives living and working here too! The symbiosis between arts and outdoor sports in our valley extends far beyond just these events. Our galleries, like Vail International Gallery and Claggett Rey Gallery, and venues like the Vilar Performing Arts Center, are cultural institutions that stand as year-round repositories of creativity and expression. They provide a respite from an exhausting day carving powder and offer a place for quiet contemplation and cultural appreciation. As our community continues to change, the seamless integration of arts and cultural events with winter outdoor activities remains integral to our identity — both current and future. These events and destinations not only diversify our valley’s offerings but also contribute significantly to our economic vitality by attracting tourists, supporting local artists, and fostering a diverse, multifaceted community. Basically, what I am saying is this: come for the snow — stay for the culture. To view the original article, click on the link https://www.vaildaily.com/opinion/pranger-harmonizing-winter-splendor/

"Meet Your Artist" - by Tricia Swenson Vail Daily dated 01/06/2024 Meet Your Artist: Christine Sena Get to know your Vail Valley artists The Vail Daily is showcasing area artists in a series called “Meet Your Artist” so you can learn more about those who create and what inspires them. If you are an area artist and would like to be featured in the series, email Tricia Swenson (tswenson@vaildaily.com). Q: How long have you lived in the valley and what brought you here? A: I have lived here for 20 plus years. I was living in Northern Virginia and had just retired and was finishing up a graduate degree when my daughter, who was living out here, suggested I give living here a try. Q: Where did your passion for art come from? A: My mother was an artist and as a child I attended classes at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. My aunt lived on Cape Ann, north of Boston, and we would visit her and go to the beaches and also visit art galleries in Rockport, Rocky Neck and Gloucester, Massachusetts. A number of famous artists including Winslow Homer and Edward Hopper painted the scenery on Cape Ann. Q: Describe your style of art? A: Well, I’m pretty much all over the place. I think the choice of medium defines what I am working on. I started out as a landscape architect with the U.S. Forest Service in California using graphite pencil and pen and ink to make plans, illustrations and maps. Later, after moving through many various careers, I decided to take up watercolors because I thought the materials were the least expensive. I took weekend workshops and after about ten years I felt comfortable with the medium. Most of my watercolors are landscapes. I moved on to oils, pastels and some printmaking. I think my style of art leans more toward realism versus abstract. Q. Who are your favorite artists? A. Too many to mention but include John Singer Sargent, Winslow Homer, Richard Estes, Wayne Thiebaud, Chuck Close, Berthe Morisot, Lauren Harris (and the Canadian Group of Seven). Q. Tell us about one of your favorite pieces that you’ve worked on. A. A few years ago, my brother’s neighbor gave him a photo of my dad sitting at the counter at Dunkin’ Donuts with his buddies. I decided to paint this small piece and went on to paint a series of images from my hometown. This led to an exhibit at the newly opened library where I and a longtime friend displayed over 30 images from our hometown. Q. Who has helped you along the way? A. My mother was very encouraging and I miss her insight. She would always want to know what I was working on. I think you learn something new from every class and workshop. Most of all, I think you learn by observing other artists and discussing art with fellow artists, which is one of the main advantages of being a part of the Vail Valley Art Guild. Q. If you weren’t an artist, what would you be doing? A. I used to love taking photos with my old Canon AE1 camera. I had it repaired numerous times, then switched to one of the first Canon digital cameras. My cameras became smaller and now my only camera is my iPhone. Most of my paintings are from photographs I have taken. There is a personal connection to place and activity that I feel is important in a painting. Q. What do you hope people take away from your work? A. First off, I hope they enjoy what they are seeing. There is no deep meaning in my work, just a sense of place and a little bit of humor at times. I paint scenes that I find interesting with, hopefully, a great composition. I finished a small series of people in art museums which included a guy on his cell phone and woman asleep in front of an impressionist painting. A few years ago I attended an exhibit at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia, which was displaying works from the Musee d’Orsay. The place was crowded and I felt like I was at a large boisterous cocktail party. It was fun and lively and I think maybe this is how art exhibits should be viewed. Q. Where is your work shown (a local gallery) or how/where can people view it? A. Right now I have a few paintings at the Vail Valley Art Guild Gallery in Eagle and at the Charter in Beaver Creek. Throughout the year, I have shown works at the libraries and at the yearly Colorado Mountain College and Vail Valley Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibit. Q. Anything else we should have asked, anything else you would like to share? A. Thank you for the opportunity to highlight the local art scene. We have many talented artists and photographers in the valley, and this goes a long way in highlighting what we do.

"Meet Your Artist" - by Tricia Swenson Vail Daily dated 01/26/2024 Meet Your Artist: Amy Dose Get to know your Vail Valley artists The Vail Daily is showcasing area artists in a series called “Meet Your Artist” so you can learn more about those who create and what inspires them. If you are an area artist and would like to be featured in the series, email Tricia Swenson (tswenson@vaildaily.com). Q: How long have you lived in the valley and what brought you here? A: My journey to settle in the Vail area began on a rafting trip on the Bíobío River in Chile in the summer of 1998. In a whirlwind river romance story best told around a campfire, I met my husband. I soon learned that he had agreed to come work for Timberline Tours on a visa. We spent the next six summers here. Our schedule which allowed us to work in the whitewater rafting industry full time went like this: summers in Vail (Colorado and Arkansas River), falls in West Virginia (Gauley and New River), winters in Chile (Futaleufu River), and springs in Austria (Inn River). In 2004, when our daughter was four, we decided to settle down. Vail seemed the most viable location. Though the winters have always been a bit long for me, I am grateful for this community. We have built a beautiful life here with great friends, a lovely home and a thriving business. What more could one ask for? Q: Where did your passion for art come from? A: I have always made things. When my brother and I were kids, we often stayed long stints at my grandparent’s farm in Mississippi. Once while playing outside digging around in the dirt, we happened upon some red clay. We made candle holders and vases. No one told us that was possible, we just knew. We come from a long line of creators: carpenters, gardeners, tailors, builders, flower arrangers, quilt makers and tinkerers. Being a maker is something of a genetic trait in my family. It’s inescapable. So, it was natural that in honor of my sixteenth birthday, my mother and I traveled from my hometown of Memphis to Nashville, Tennessee to see an exhibition of impressionist paintings. I can remember with great vividness how I first felt standing in front of Renoir and Monet paintings. Everything around me disappeared. My chest tightened, my eyes welled up with tears … I couldn’t hear or speak. I was absolutely mesmerized. The power in those paintings was something that I couldn’t define. I have been chasing that experience in my own work ever since. Q: Describe your style of art. A: My painting technique is most influenced by my study of Japanese calligraphy as a college student. Japanese calligraphy requires mastering the brush-stroke characters as well as noticing oneself and learning to be present. While practicing this, I began to notice the beauty that arrives when one is completely present. It is something more than simple visual beauty. It is more elusive. It is innate. I have continued to practice sitting meditation during my painting sessions. My style bounces around a bit. Sometimes I create pieces that can be described as contemporary naturalism. Think of a modern twist on landscapes and/or animal paintings. More recently, I’ve been creating abstract pieces influenced by my study of Japanese calligraphy. Q: Who are your favorite artists? A: Considering that I’m traveling to Paris to see the Mark Rothko exhibit and I’ve never even been to Paris, Rothko is a given. I am moved by his subtle color transitions and the size of his pieces. There is something deeper going on in his work. I love the women of abstract expressionism, particularly Helen Frankenthaler and Joan Mitchell. Within their balance and stunning compositions is clear emotion. The work of the quilters of Gee’s Bend is transformative. Their quilts are magical. There’s also Wolf Kahn (his use of color), Cy Towmbly (those lines), and Bernard (the textures and colors). My first true love was Marc Chagall. His work was a kind of portal for me to my own work when I was in college. I was able to experience what it felt like to really paint by exploring his work. Contemporary artists that I find moving and inspiring are Bisa Butler, India Flint, Louise Knowles, Shannon Knowlton, Squeak Carnwath and Patty Carroll. If you don’t know them, they are all worth looking up. Q: Tell us about one of your favorite pieces that you’ve worked on. A: Concocted as this may sound, whatever piece I’m working on is my favorite. The act of creating is the gift. I love being in my studio with my hands in paint. There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing. It’s just the bee’s knees. Q: Who has helped you along the way? Who/what inspires you? A: To be loved is to be seen. I am fortunate to have a family that values individuality. I have always been allowed the space to create. And by space, I mean, I have quite literally taken up space in our house. Before I built my studio, half of my bedroom was turned into a makeshift studio. There was hardly anywhere to walk, but my husband never complained (and before him, my parents) even when my projects would leak over into the rest of the house and we had no room at the kitchen table to eat dinner. By space, I also mean time. This gift allowed me the mental and emotional space needed for creativity. I was allowed the space for art school, the space for weekend workshops, the space on weekends and nights to disappear, the space to daydream. I would not be able to be an artist without the support of my entire immediate family. They continue to hold space for me allowing me to be myself and to create. I studied painting with Joan Anderson and Robert Spellman as a college student and I have continued to study with them throughout the years. They have become more than just mentors to me and I am grateful for our time cooking, telling jokes, meditating, gardening, philosophizing, resting and painting. If you are interested in a painting retreat, you can find them at MountainWater.space. Q: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be doing? A: I have always wanted to be a pilot. I even took flying lessons when I was 15. I may be one of the few people who still loves to fly: yes, even on commercial flights. All of the shoes on and off and the sitting in the terminal is still worth the climb to me. It’s always exciting. I love the feeling of being above the clouds. It still kind of blows my mind that it’s possible! Q: What do you hope people take away from your work? A: My true purpose is to inspire joy in others. I once had a famous European installation artist tell me that painters were self-centered because they worked in a solitary environment and that their work was completely self-aggrandizing. I was young at the time. It really made me question why I was a painter. I have thought long and hard about that statement over the years and realized how wrong he was. It is a gift to others to show up in the world as your true self. It allows others to be themselves as well, and isn’t that what true love is? More simply, I hope my paintings and the joy that I find in creating them bring some light into this world. Q: Where is your work shown (a local gallery) or how/where can people view it? A: You can find my work locally at Larissa Wild Fine Art, 150 Cooley Mesa Road units d/e in Gypsum. Additionally, I have pieces for sale on Artsy- Artsy.net/Artist/Amy-Dose and at AmyDose.com To see more of my process and my studio, follow me on Instagram at Instagram.com/Studio.A.Dose.  I have some new work hanging at Larissa Wild Fine Art in Gypsum and will be at the gallery this Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. to chat about the work.

"Meet Your Artist" - by Tricia Swenson Vail Daily dated 02/16/2024 Meet Your Artist: Soodi Kick Get to know your Vail Valley artists The Vail Daily is showcasing area artists in a series called “Meet Your Artist” so you can learn more about those who create and what inspires them. If you are an area artist and would like to be featured in the series, email Tricia Swenson (tswenson@vaildaily.com). How long have you lived in the valley and what brought you here? We have been residents of the valley for the last 15 years and the reason we moved to this area was to be closer to our daughter and her family. It turned out that we loved the location and loved the people and groups we met. Where did your passion for art come from? The passion for art grew in me when I went to England for college and realized that I could communicate better by drawing than talking. At the time, I was learning English and not very fluent in it, that was many, many years ago. I finished my education in architecture and then switched to art in real life. Describe your style of art. My style of art is expressionistic. Many of the masters of painting that I love had discovered that colors and shapes transformed the emotion and raised interest. Who are your favorite artists? My favorite artists are Cecily Brown, Chagall, Paul Klee and Monet. Tell us about one of your favorite pieces that you’ve worked on. One of my new favorite pieces is the one I did on commission for The Charter at Beaver Creek. It is hanging in the front lobby, and it’s Colorado from an expressionist perspective. Powerful and descriptive. Who has helped you along the way? Who/what inspires you? Nature is my most relevant inspiration. I just love to see the world in fused sections of color patches playing their part in light and darkness. If you weren’t an artist, what would you be doing? If I wasn’t an artist today I will be a naturalist. What do you hope people take away from your work? I hope people take away a sense of mystery and love for what we see around us, for the gifts that we have been given daily by the fact that we can discover with our senses and visualize with our mind. Where is your work shown (a local gallery) or how/where can people view it? My work is at The Charter at Beaver Creek and the Vail Valley Art Guild Gallery on Second Street in Eagle, Blue Goat apothecary in Gypsum and Color Coffee in Eagle Ranch houses a large, beautiful piece that was inspired by hiking in Cordillera. I also have pieces at Gallery C in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Why Has Vail Valley Art Guild Become So Successful in Our Community? ...You! As the only visual arts non-profit serving all of Eagle County, we rely on you: 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 What Does That Look Like? 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. Donors are organizations or individuals who provide financial support or products 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. 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. Mission Possible By partnering with Vail Valley Art Guild, you are joining us in establishing and maintaining a vibrant community of visual artists and photographers that spans all ages and backgrounds. With your help, our mission to enriching lives by fostering and promoting artistic growth and building awareness of the visual arts in Eagle County, can continue to soar. We thank you!

"New Charter at Beaver Creek renovation features artwork by locals" - by Tricia Swenson Vail Daily dated 03/22/2024 Artist and Vail Valley Art Guild member Amy Dose's painting entitled 'Spirit - A Dance Between Worlds' is featured in the main lobby at The Charter at Beaver Creek as part of a new partnership between the property and the Vail Valley Art Guild. Vail Valley Art Guild/Courtesy photo Last show of the ski season is Tuesday, March 26 from 3-6. Featured artists include Soodi Kick, Tara Novak, Amy Dose, Elke Wells, and Beth Levine. The Charter at Beaver Creek has a whole new look and feel. From The Charter Steakhouse restaurant featuring panoramic mountain views and an elevated mountain casual menu to the spa and pool area with saltwater hot tubs and a saltwater outdoor pool, the entire property has a new energy about it. But to complete the aesthetics The Charter at Beaver Creek added the works of local artists to adorn the walls of the resort’s largest condominium complex via a partnership with the Vail Valley Art Guild. Housing the art of local talent didn’t happen overnight. This project started during the Avon Art Celebration in the summer of 2021. The Charter Homeowners Association president, Garrett Pepel, met artist Margo Thomas at the show. That’s where the idea of partnering with the Vail Valley Art Guild to provide local artists with a unique opportunity was propelled into motion. Through a partnership between the Vail Valley Art Guild and the newly remodeled Charter at Beaver Creek local artists are featured throughout the property, including ‘Bisons in the Snow’ by photographer Allan Finney. Vail Valley Art Guild/Courtesy photo Thomas got a call in the spring of 2023 and became the art curator for the project. Everything fell in place just in time for 2023-24 ski season. Works can be found in the main lobby, lower lobby, restaurant and ceremony lobby. Some works are part of the property’s private collection. Others are for sale and benefit local artists and local nonprofit offerings. Proceeds support the Vail Valley Art Guild’s nonprofit outreach programming and scholarship programs. “The Charter at Beaver Creek made a considerable donation as part of their private collection acquisition,” Thomas said. “We are especially grateful to The Charter at Beaver Creek homeowners association selection committee for their tireless work in choosing artwork and artists: Garrett Pepel, Lisa Dimoulas, Jane Eisenberg and Mark McDermitt. Additionally, Ryan MacLachlan and Rob Sinclair of East West Hospitality provided leadership to make this opportunity happen.” Local photographer Raj Manickam poses next to his photograph, ‘Snow Covered Butterscotch’ in the lower lobby of The Charter at Beaver Creek. Vail Valley Art Guild/Courtesy photo The Vail Valley Art Guild has hosted Art Walks each month since December and the last one of the season will be on March 26 between 3-6 p.m. Enjoy complimentary cocktails and appetizers while touring the property and meeting the featured artists. For more information, visit VVAGCO.org and view the events calendar page. “The Vail Valley Art Guild members who were selected by The Charter at Beaver Creek’s art committee are thrilled to see their works displayed as part of the property’s renovation,” Thomas said. “Our members benefit from exhibit opportunities such as our gallery shows, local libraries and the annual Vail Valley Fine Art Show at Colorado Mountain College in Edwards. But this opportunity at The Charter is unique because their works are seen by hundreds of The Charter’s guests who visit from all over the world.”

Mark your calendars - We have a lot of exciting things happening in April! You can always check out Upcoming Events  on the VVAG website to see individual events or go to the Event Calendar  to get an overview of the month. If you have any questions please reach out to service@vvagco.org   Public Library Exhibit All month during normal library operating hours Location: Vail Public Library 292 W Meadow Drive Vail, CO 81657 Guild Member Katie Dolan will exhibit Rocky Mountain photographs to "help people fully appreciate the wonder of Colorado’s wild places and animals." Reception: April 3, 2024 from 4:00 to 5:30 pm in the Community Room. Tea and refreshments will be served. To learn more about the exhibit, please click here April Call for Submissions Thursday - April 4th from 1pm to 5pm Friday - April 5th from 1pm to 5pm Thursday - April 11th from 1pm to 5pm Drop off Location: Eagle Gallery 108 W. 2nd Street Eagle, CO 81631 April is an Open Theme month.   Please drop off up to three of your works that are you are excited to exhibit! If you have work that was displayed in March, please stop by to pick it up, even if you do not have anything to drop off. Board Meeting Monday - April 8th 3:30pm to 5:30pm Location: Avon Gallery 137 Benchmark Road Suite C2 Avon, Colorado 8 Second Friday Gallery Night Friday - April 12th from 5pm to 8pm Location: Eagle Gallery 108 W. 2nd Street Eagle, CO 81631 Join us for a wonderful evening celebrating local art! April will feature work from artists and photographers of their choosing. 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. Watercolors 102 with Elaine Kuntz April 13, 2024, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Location: Eagle Gallery 108 W. 2nd Street Eagle, CO 81631 Whether you are curious about watercolors, you need a refresher, or you want the comradery of creating in a group, this workshop is for you! There are still 2 spots open - to learn more and buy a ticket click here VVAG Member Meeting Monday - April 15th 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 the fun activity of Intro to Soft Pastels with Joann Carhart Levy. Click here to Learn more and RSVP VVAG Photography Meeting Thursday - April 25th 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. Landscape Painting 101 with Mio Cirkovic April 27, 2024, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Location: Eagle Gallery 108 W. 2nd Street Eagle, CO 81631 Whether you are curious about landscape painting with oil paint, you need a refresher, or you want the comradery of creating in a group, this workshop is for you! There are still 4 spots open - to learn more and buy a ticket click here

We have added two more Mini Workshops to our spring line up at the Eagle Gallery. These workshops will be taught by Mio Cirkovic and will focus on oil painting and landscape painting with oils. All supplies are included for these three hour workshops through a generous donation by The Charter at Beaver Creek. Oil Painting 101 with Mio Cirkovic: Saturday, March 16th from 10am to 1pm Landscape Painting 101 with Mio Cirkovic: Saturday April 27th from 10am to 1pm To learn more and by tickets go to www.vvagco.org or click on the button below

We are happy to announce we have added more workshops to the 2024 line up! Back by popular demand, we have Christian Dore coming for a one day workshop July 8th. We also have several Mini Workshops lined up at the Eagle Gallery this spring. We hope to add a few more - keep a look out in your email for further offerings. If you have questions, please reach out at service@vvagco.org Christian Dore Workshop: Abstract Drawing & Painting 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. All levels are welcome! Tickets go on sale tomorrow (March 1st @ 10:30am) We are excited to announce a series of Mini Workshops at the Eagle Gallery. Workshops are open to everyone and every skill level - all supplies are included! Whether you are curious about a medium you've never worked in, you need a refresher, or you want the comradery of creating in a group, these three to four hour workshops are for you! Tickets go on sale tomorrow (March 1st @ 10:30am) The Mini Workshop Series is brought to you by a generous donation from The Charter at Beaver Creek!

We have a lot of exciting things happening in March so please mark your calendars! You can always check out Upcoming Events  on the VVAG website to see individual events or go to the Event Calendar  to get an overview of the month. If you have any questions please reach out to service@vvagco.org   March Call for Submissions Thursday - February 29th from 1pm to 5pm Friday - March 1st from 1pm to 5pm Monday - March 4th from 10am to 2pm Drop off Location: Eagle Gallery 108 W. 2nd Street Eagle, CO 81631 The themes for March are "Emotions" and/or "Red". 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 January & February, please stop by to pick it up, even if you do not have anything to drop off. Gypsum Public Library Exhibit All month during normal library operating hours Location: Gypsum Public Library 47 Lundgren Boulevard Gypsum, CO 81637 In collaboration with the Gypsum Public Library, Guild member Ben Stevens will present his work. To learn more about the exhibit, please click here Second Friday Gallery Night Friday - March 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 "Emotions" and "Red".   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 - March 11th 3:30pm to 5:30pm Location: Avon Gallery 137 Benchmark Road Suite C2 Avon, Colorado 81620 VVAG Member Meeting Monday - March 18th 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 the fun activity of Zentangle with Pam O'Hara. Click here to Learn more and RSVP VVAG Photography Meeting Thursday - March 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.