A group effort
In early June, the Durango Arts Center issued a call for art submissions for its 38th Annual Juried Group Show. The response was huge; artists from around the Four Corners entered more than 200 pieces in all varieties of 2- and 3-D media. Everything from abstract art to sculpture, photography and pastels was submitted. On Wednesday, this year’s juror, University of New Mexico Art Museum Director Lisa Tamiris Becker, began the daunting task of sifting through the submissions to cull her favorites. Her selections – including her choices for best of show, second and third place – will be hung in DAC’s Barbara Conrad Gallery through Aug. 9. The show will open with a reception Friday from 5-7 p.m. at DAC, 802 East Second Ave. The winners of this year’s prizes will be announced at the opening. Those art aficionados who want to see the entire range of work can check out Steamworks Brewing Co., 801 East Second Ave., where artists who did not make the cut will have the opportunity to show their work at the “Salon de Refuses.”
Pyle Style
Colorado singer-songwriter Chuck Pyle is nicknamed the Zen Cowboy for his mellow from-the-saddle musings and introspective style. With intricate songcraft, one-of-a-kind finger-picking and Don Williams-style mellow country gold, Pyle’s one-man show is plenty to keep a crowd entertained. Pyle will play an outdoor concert Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Edgemont Ranch Picnic Grounds off County Road 240. Tickets are $15, and event organizer Karren Little encourages concertgoers to bring chairs, picnics or drinks. Pyle, whose career has spanned 40 years, has written songs for the PBS series “Spirit of Colorado,” sung for the opening session of the Colorado State Legislature and had his tunes recorded by the likes of John Denver and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. His between-song banter can be just as entertaining as his slow-rocking songs. “He’s not just a good musician, he’s a good entertainer,” Little said.
Art on the Animas
What could enhance a summer day spent along the Animas River? How about some art? The 23rd annual Art on the Animas Arts & Crafts Festival will take place today through Sunday at the Santa Rita River Walk, 149 South Camino Del Rio. About 35 vendors from around the region will be offering everything from oil paintings to wildflower arts, Native American crafts, jewelry and even duct-tape products and henna tattoos. The festival is from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Freshly ‘squozen’
The Main Squeeze, a five-piece funk project based out of Chicago, will play a concert Saturday night at 10 p.m. at the Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Drive. With tight grooves, rapid-fire tempo changes and vocals reminiscent of Stevie Wonder, the band churns out a scorching hybrid of soul and funk that makes pretty fine party music, and promises to leave their crowds “funktified and freshly squozen.” Tickets for the 18-and-older show are $10, and are available at www.animascitytheatre.com.
