Lara Dowling/Courtesy photo
The Vail Valley Art Guild and Colorado Mountain College are teaming up once again to host the 12th annual Vail Valley Fine Art Show and Art & Jazz-ish Reception on Friday at the Colorado Mountain College Vail Valley campus in Edwards from 5-8 p.m.
This event kicks off an exhibition that will be on display for six weeks and features the works of local artists and students. 250 pieces of art have been carefully selected in the juried show, with local photographer Sean Boggs and gallery co-owner Bill Rey of Claggett/Rey Gallery in Edwards serving as the jurors for this event. The works selected represent about 75 local and regional artists. What’s unique about the show is that the private sector blends with the educational sector. Many of the artists represented in the show are students, staff and faculty are from Colorado Mountain College Vail Valley campus, while many artists are part of the Vail Valley Art Guild.
“For many of our artists, it’s the first time they’ve been asked to put a price tag, frame or even a name on their works — and that’s a big confidence booster,” said Lisa Isom, CMC Foundation’s regional development officer for the Vail Valley.
Typically, over 300 community members and visitors attend each year, providing great exposure for all artists. The variety of mediums provides something for everyone. Oils, acrylics, watercolors, photography, ceramics, 3-D media and sculpture are included in the curated display, which includes a full catalog of works. If you see something you like, you may be able to take home a new piece of art.
The majority of work is available for purchase. Keep in mind that shopping for art locally provides a more personal story if you’ve met the artist or know the background about the technique used or the story behind the subject. The purchase will support the artist community. Some pieces will also be purchased by the Colorado Mountain College ArtShare program for permanent display on campus throughout the year.
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“The show continues to be a great opportunity to enrich people’s lives with the visual arts,” said Russell Frederickson, the executive director of the Vail Valley Art Guild.
“There’s a real depth of good artists in Eagle County that we get to celebrate and recognize. All our participants get a lot of recognition out of the show, which can be a real growing moment in their art careers,” said Melissa McDonald Nelson, Vail Valley Art Guild president.
First-place ribbons will be given out to various styles of painting, photography, ceramics, 3D sculpture and fiber arts. There will also be a Best in Show, Jurors’ Choice as well as Honorable Mention ribbons.
Come for the art but stay for the mingling and entertainment. Talk to the artists about their techniques and inspirations. Throughout the evening, listen to a jazzy Lo-Fi DJ set from 11 Eleven Creatives, an event production company based in Eagle. There will also be a 360-degree selfie station, which is a modern event setup featuring a rotating arm with a camera that circles a stationary platform, creating a slow-motion, spinning video of users from all angles. Light bites and drinks will be provided by Colorado Mountain College and Vail Valley Art Guild.
This reception and art exhibit is free and open to the public. The artwork will be on display until Oct. 31. For more information, go to VVAGCO.org.