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2025 VVAG & CMC Vail Valley Fine Arts Show Application Vail Valley Art Guild members and current CMC Edwards campus students and instructors are eligible to participate in the 2025, 12th Annual Fine Arts Show which runs from Friday, September 19th, to Friday, October 31st. The Art and Jazz-ish Reception will occur on Friday evening, September 19th, from 5 - 8 pm. Members are allowed up to five images. All participants must pay a $10 entry fee per work when delivered. (Works with no hanging wire will be charged $25 per image) Applications will be accepted starting Monday, August 4th through Wednesday, September 10th: 1. APPLICATION FORM  SUBMISSION: -Use Adobe Acrobat Reader, save it and email it, along with the IMDEMNIFICATION FORM , and all HIGH RES IMAGES images to: russell@vvagco.org -Applications must include high resolution jpg  images of up to five entries (Diptych & Triptych Count as 2, 3 etc.) -Image Naming Example: Lastname_Firstname_ title of work Links to forms: APPLICATION FORM IMDEMNIFICATION FORM 2. DROP OFF DATE:  Works are due at CMC on Friday, September 12, between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm and Saturday, September 13 , between 9:00 am and noon. AWARDS This is a juried show. First place ribbons will be given separately to painting and photography in the following categories: Abstract (A), Figure/Portrait (F/P), Landscape (L), Still Life (S), and Wild Life/Animals (W/A). A first place ribbon will also be awarded to 3D (3D) Sculpture, Ceramics Functional, Ceramic Sculptural, and Fiber Arts(FA). There will also be a Best In Show, Jurors’ Choice, as well as Honorable Mention ribbons. RULES -Submitted works may not have been in the CMC Art Show in the past.    -Applicants must also sign the insurance and indemnification waiver. -Participants must agree not to remove entries before the close of the show.   -Works must have a wire hanging system. -Metal prints must have an acceptable hanging point. -Metal prints and wrapped canvas art do not need to be framed.  -Large or multi-piece artworks must be approved in advance. Please contact Chris at cgsena5@gmail.com  or Russell at russell@vvagco.com  .   Russell Frederickson Executive Director, Vail Valley Art Guild russell@vvagco.org

Each year Jurors take time out their day to walk through the Fine Art Show and decide who has the best work in six separate categories: 3D, Abstract, Figure/Portrait, Landscape, Still Life and Wildlife/Animals. Each category is further divided into Art and Photography. Congratulations to our winners! (See list below) The Jurors this year were Sean Boggs (Photographer and Photography Instructor at CMC), Joyce Bradley (Manager of Zugor Gallery and Gib Singleton Gallery in Vail), and Bill Rey (Owner of Claggett-Rey Gallery in Edwards). Thank you to the 2023 jurors for your time! The show will be available to the public until November 3rd, so stop by during normal CMC operating hours to see this amazing collection of local works. 1st Place Awards 3D Sculpture: Neil Stewart - Cascade Functional: Raj Manickam - Self-Checkout Functional Ceramics: David Shapiro - White Crackle Vase Ceramics: Willow Murphy - Ginko Jar Abstract Painting: Andrew Pranger - I was Afraid I was going to Die and then I was Afraid I Wasn't Photography: Ken Neubecker - Peony Detail Figure/Portrait Painting: Soodi Kick - Ready to Win Photography: Raymond Bleesz - Code Talker Navajo #1 Landscape Painting: Mio Cirkovic - Cordillera Winter Photography: Norm Vogel - Church – Iceland Still Life Painting: Julie Graham - Harvest Photography: Raj Manickam - Shape and Shades Wildlife/Animals Painting: Julie Adriansen - Living His Best Life Photography: Rick Spitzer - Those Eyes Juror's Choice Willow Murphy - Ginko Jar Patti Dixon - Love is always Visible Julie Graham - Harvest People's Choice Mio Cirkovic - Piney Lake Honorable Mentions Elke Kaiser Wells - Koi in Rice Take Out Box Julie Graham - Bursting Bubbles Tara Novak - Tailing Elke Kaiser Wells - Windows to Another World Vida Kijauskas - Untitled #1 Heather Barrie - Doesn't Measure Up Amanda Quinton - Aspen Bob Will - #5 Patti Dixon - Lady Loves Red Linda Osterberg - Bird Bath Lynn Feiger - Black Kettle Renata Marshal - Self Portrait Christine Sena - Hey Norm Vogel - Net Maker Allan Finney - Mountain Gorilla Beth Levine and Ellen Stone - Go As A River Traci O'Conner - Morning Reflection Carol Cirkovic - An Italian Door Heather Barrie - Barnsdall Shoe Store Scott Brundage - Water Buffalo

The 8th Annual Vail Valley Fine Art Show featured works of 39 local artists in the halls of CMC Edwards. We are pleased so many of our artists won awards at the show! Congratulations all! Best of Show, Jurors Choice, Ellen, Stone, Santa Fe Horse Neck, Wildlife/Animals Best of Show, Zackary, Bukovich, Self Portrait, Figure/Portrait Best of Show, Pamela, Olson, Lotus Vessel, Sculpture Best of Show, Andrew, Pranger, Apollo Is Not At The Forge of Vulcan, Still Life Blue Ribbon, Raymond, Bleesz, Tribute to Bauhaus Art #1 2021, Abstract Blue Ribbon, Zackary, Bukovich, February, 3pm, Still Life Blue Ribbon, Trish, Donovan, Giving Love Through Books, Landscape Blue Ribbon, Dana, Dunbar, Big Bog and his Escorts, Wildlife/Animals Blue Ribbon, Soodi, Kick, Nature Talks To Me, Abstract Blue Ribbon, Raj, Manickam, Father & Daughter, Figure/Portrait Blue Ribbon, Cathleen, McKinzie, Winterscape, Abstract Blue Ribbon, Scott, Pope, Winter...Eagle River Valley, Landscape Blue Ribbon, Bev, Ruiz, Recharge, Abstract Honorable Mention, Carol, Calinoff, Heart Leaf, Still Life Honorable Mention, Tamra, Converse, Landing 2, Landscape Honorable Mention, Vida, Kijauskas, Native Americana, Abstract Honorable Mention, Melissa, Lipton, Rise Above, Landscape Honorable Mention, Melissa, Lipton, Shattered, Figure/Portrait Honorable Mention, Raj, Manickam, Charcoal - Wildfire, Abstract Honorable Mention, Melissa, Nelson, Finger Painting, Figure/Portrait Honorable Mention, Tara, Novak, Awakening Lotus, Abstract Honorable Mention, Richard, Spitzer, Grizzly Shooter, Wildlife/Animals Honorable Mention, Margaret, Thomas, Fire Mountain, Abstract

The 11th Annual Vail Valley Fine Art Show , presented in partnership with Colorado Mountain College - Edwards. The show opened on September 20, 2024 and ends on October 31, 2024. Stop by the CMC Edwards campus anytime during business hours to check it out!! Art Can Be Purchased Through October Did you know your purchases directly support our mission to enrich lives through visual arts while championing the talent of our community's students and artists? Please consider purchasing art at this free event to celebrate the creative spirit of the Vail Valley. Here is a list of show works, some items still available for sale. Contact Rick Spitzer for all sales inquiries. spitzerr@comcast.net Winners Photography : 1st Place Landscape Photography - Janet Burmeister - Secret Falls 1st Place Figure/Portrait Photography - Norm Vogel - Netmaker #2 1st Place Wildlife/Animal Photography - Kristen Garry - Buffalo Wings 1st Place Still Life Photography - Carol Cirkovic - Nantucket Boat 1st Place Abstract Photography - Ken Neubecker - Ice Abstract Painting : 1st Place Landscape Painting - Jami Nix Rahn - Wynwood Sofa 1st Place Figure/Portrait Painting - Andrew Pranger - Life Has Become Better Since I Have Been Forced to Stop Taking It Seriously 1st Place Wildlife/Animal Painting - Willow Murphy - Mas Cencerto 1st Place Still Life Painting - Hazel Murray - Peonies 1st Place Abstract Painting - Amy Dose - Spontaneous Glint from Beyond 3D : 1st Place Sculpture - Joseph Staron - Metal Sculpture 1st Place Fiber Arts - Jenny Wahrer - Fall Seeds Make Spring Flowers 1st Place Functional 3D Ceramics - Willow Murphy - Bol Blanc Sur Noir 1st Place 3D - Willow Murphy - Vase Blanc Sur Noir Best in Show : Lucy Gonzalez - The Tourist The Tourist Jurors Choice : Jami Nix Rahn - Le Tub Terri Jeppson - Memories of Summer Melissa Nelson - Alone with My Thoughts People’s Choice : Bibiano Rivero - Blue Deer Honorable Mention : Madison McCaulley - Green Dan Rodarte - Moving Forward Richard Spitzer - Bull Elk at Sunrise Monica Kryser - Bessie Mio Cirkovic - Jouflas Ranch Cindy Kelleher - Grandpa’s Window Julie Andriansen - Backstage at a Willie Nelson Concert Lucy Gonzalez - Am I a Checklist? Jacqueline Oakley - Trust the Process Kathy King - Center Stage Entertainment Latin jazz with Los Hermanos and Dwende Flamenco, featuring Jessica Pinto.   The group is comprised of Diego Espinosa (guitar), Santiago Doglione (drums and cajon), Augusto Doglione (base guitar), Brent Gordon (sax), Jill Goodman (vocalist and composer) and Jessica Pinto.  Catering Pollyanna Productions curated by Pollyanna Forster, former owner of Eat! Drink! in Edwards.

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.

"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.

"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.”

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

artwork credits: Tara Novak and Margo Thomas We'd like to promote all the great work our members are doing in the community. Contact us if you have news stories to share! New Art Galleries in Minturn!!!! All In Good Light Gallery by Raj Manickam We’re excited to share that the AllinGoodLight Gallery, located in Minturn, Colorado, officially opened its doors on August 9th, 2024. The grand opening was a resounding success, drawing in 154 attendees who enjoyed an evening filled with food, drinks, live music, and the creative touch of a local caricature artist. The gallery, nestled within the three levels of SteamMaster’s building at Cross Creek Plaza, offers a captivating space for art enthusiasts to explore a wide array of visual experiences. The gallery is now open five days a week from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and welcomes visitors by appointment on weekends. Announcement - for those who missed the event “We’re also pleased to announce that Raj Manickam, the visionary behind the gallery, will be hosting another special showing on the ‘Last Friday‘ of August 30th, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm . This upcoming event promises to be another delightful gathering for the community to engage with local art. Horse d’oeuvres and Drinks will be served. If you'd like to attend, please RSVP to raj@allingoodlight.com .  Where: AllinGoodLight Gallery - Cross Creek Plaza 1901 Main Street, Minturn CO 81645  When: Friday, August 9, 2024 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm The Grove Studio and Gallery by Jenifer Hammond By appointment only : winter season 2024 Open daily April 15- October 15 2024 Local Vail Valley gallery conveniently located mid-valley, with easy parking, near Vail Mountain Coffee and Tea. 📞 970.471.4413 📧 jen@jeniferhammond.com 💻 www.JeniferHammond.com 🗺️ 23698 Hwy 24, Minturn, CO Summer Art Shows We are so proud of our members for showing their artwork at several summer shows. This year, VVAG members volunteered at the Avon Arts Celebration to sell drink tickets. Thank you Rick Spitzer, Melissa Nelson. Tara Novak, Soodi Kick, Margo Thomas, and Bibi Rivero had booths at the show and all sold artwork! Tara Novak, Margo Thomas, and Jen Hammond were at the Aug 2-4 Beaver Creek show hosted by Howard Alan Events. There are very few Colorado artists in this show. And Guild members Bibi Rivero, Jen Hammond, and Margo Thomas participated in the Aug 23 Riverwalk Art Battle

Make sure to stop by the Avon library this month to see Guild member Tara Novak’s amazing work!! @taranovakart >>> New work! NOW Showing at the Avon Library >>> There is a special energy of an aspen glade waking up under the melting snow. Listen...contemplate the breath of this vast organism, its roots spreading for acres. Hear the creak of a tree trunk, the faint breeze through the branches, your own heartbeat as you become one with nature. “Spring Thaw” 24x48 diptych This Aspens Series exhibition will be on display for the months of February 2022. Open to the public, when the library is open. Reception date to be announced soon… Thank you! More info about Tara's work at TaraNovakART.com

In collaboration with the Eagle Valley Library District https://www.evld.org, we are honored to present monthly installments by either theme, artist, or photographer. Stop by to support your local library and artists!! Many pieces are for sale at discounted prices compared to gallery and festival. Direct purchase enquiries to service@vvagco.org . Our month-long exhibit at the Gypsum Library features portraits of people and animals are now on display through June. More info here .

In collaboration with the Gypsum Public Library, Guild member Allan Finney will present his photography for the month of March. After traveling the world as a jazz musician, Allan Finney turned his attention to photography and the world around him. The natural world is his focus and Gypsum Library has his first photography exhibition. The show runs through the month of March during normal library hours.