SNOW, SNOW, SNOW: It's never too early to start snapping shots of the gorgeous snow that has descended on the Mancos Valley. The 4th Annual Snow Show will take place concurrent with the Mancos Melt, sometime in March 2013. The next show will be featuring some very "snappy" prizes, so start shooting now while everything is white!
OPEN SHUTTER GALLERY: The Gallery, 735 Main Avenue, Durango, is featuring an exhibit of mixed-media photographs by Kamil Vojnar in a show titled "Elsewhere". These unique images are printed on various different materials including wood, aluminum and canvas, as well as traditional photographic paper. Born in Czechoslovakia he studied in Prague, then at the Philadelphia Art Institute after he came to the U.S. When he left his home country illegally it was still communist, but eventually he became a U.S. citizen. His work is highly individualistic, and romantic, employing collage technique, combined with his photography. This show will run through Jan. 16.
Upcoming in 2013, the gallery will hang a community show, featuring photographers from Durango, and the surrounding area. The show will run from Jan. 18 through Jan. 31. For information about how to get into this show, see www.openshuttergallery.com. Opening on Feb. 1 (running through March 28) the gallery will show "The Journey is the Destination" - a compendium of written journals augmented by the photography of artist Dan Eldon.
During the holiday season, Open Shutter will remain open late on Tuesdays.
CASH MOB AT THE RAVEN: The Cash Mob at Raven House on Saturday, Dec. 8 was fantastic - the artists outdid themselves with snacks to lure us shoppers to stay a bit, look at more wonderful items, and visit with their friends. Everybody left with something(s) in the Raven's new shiny black shopping bags. We'll post info about the next cash mob in January.
KICKOFF OF OLDE FASHIONED CHRISTMAS: The tradition of the annual tree lighting has grown to include most everyone on Grand Avenue. The Columbine featured hot chocolate and cookies for all comers, plus Mac Neely's annual cookie contest. There were about 15 entrants! Marianne Griffin won the award for the best all-around cookie. Next door, there was a mob of artists at Painted Turtle, working with fusing glass. The Geeks served green chili stew, with live music. It was a night of meeting, greeting, and getting into the holiday spirit.
SUNDAY SOCIALS: Beehive will be open every Sunday until Christmas with the most marvelous and unique gifts, music, refreshments and fun. There is always something at the Beehive that you don't see anywhere else!
CALL FOR ENTRIES: The Town Gallery is working on the 2013 show schedule, and is actively seeking applications for exhibits. Contact Dian Law at dhlaw4367@gmail.com for more information. All forms of visual art, paintings, photography, sculpture, etc, are acceptable.
COWBOY HOLIDAY: Goodnight Trail Gallery of Western Art and Nathaniels Hats will host the annual "Christmas on the Trail" on Dec. 18 - art, chuckwagon chow, music, western "gear" show. More gift shopping, more hanging out on Grand, more visiting. Holy Cow! Almost Christmas.
LIGHTING UP THE HOLIDAY: Spearheaded by Kelly Kilgore Chilcott, the contest for Christmas lights on Mancos businesses concluded last Friday night at the community dinner! The competition was fierce! The 1st place winner was the Mancos Inn, taking home a beautiful Navajo rug donated by Kilgore Indian Arts. The 2nd place went to Geeks on Grand, and in 3rd place was Olio. Dian Law and Marianne Griffin (from the Arts Council) plus Hardison Collins (Beehive) were the official judges. Honorable Mentions were awarded to The Valley Inn, and the Mancos Valley Bank.
KEEP IN TOUCH: Let me know what's happening in the arts community. I'd love to publish info about your event, show, concert, play, whatever! Call me: 970-533-7536. I have a fairly a new email address: dhlaw4367@gmail.com.