Colorfest: An autumn arts ritual
From 5 to 9 p.m. today in downtown Durango, 11 galleries will join forces to celebrate a fall tradition that is 32 years in the making: the Colorfest Gallery Walk. With special exhibits and more than 1,000 art patrons expected to be milling around, Colorfest is one of the biggest downtown events of the fall. “I’ve always looked at is as the galleries’ way of giving back to the community through art,” said organizer Karyn Gabaldon. The following is a rundown of what to expect at the 11 participating galleries.
Toh-Atin Gallery
Toh-Atin Gallery is paying tribute to the heritage of the Southwest with a historic show of Native American painters. The show will include the work of top Native artists – both living and deceased – that have emerged from the region, including Harrison Begay, Robert Chee, Clifford Brycelea and Amando Peña.
Sorrel Sky Gallery
Silver jewelry by Ben Nighthorse, vibrant paintings by Jim Bagley, bronze sculptures by Greg Kelsey – it’s all part of Sorrel Sky Gallery’s showcase of local artists, “Made in Durango.”
Sendero Gallery
The newest addition to the Durango arts community will be exhibiting a wide array of local photographs, acrylics, sculptures and more by the likes of Paul Boyer, Sandra Heller and Cindy Adams. People can also get their hands on the inaugural Durango Arts Calendar, which was unveiled Thursday.
Karyn Gabaldon Fine Arts
Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, is more than just plopping flowers into a vase. It’s a deliberate creative expression that abides by certain rules of construction. Karyn Gabaldon Fine Arts will showcase the tradition with special glass vases handmade by Richard Jones and Charlton Glass and flower arrangements as well as the fine woodwork of Kovesces.
Diane West Jewelry & Art
Gold and silver, apatite and aquamarine, pendants and buckles. Diane West Jewelry & Art is celebrating its recent Durango Herald Readers’ Choice Award for “Best Jewelry Store” by shining a spotlight on local jewelry artists. The gallery will feature new work by Diane West, Pat Hartman, Amaral Muñoz, Tracey Belt and Susan Kemmerly.
Durango Arts Center
Longtime Durango artists Jeff and Susan Wise and Margy Dudley have pooled their talents for a special collaborative exhibit called “Different Eyes.” The exhibit, which combines the paintings of Susan Wise, the sculpture of Jeff Wise and the photographs of Dudley, will be up in DAC’s Barbara Conrad Gallery.
Open Shutter Gallery
Open Shutter Gallery will feature a show of black-and-white and color images by Jimmy Williams. The renowned commercial and fine art photographer has a knack for capturing moments of nuanced beauty – serene rolling landscapes, striking portraits and dreamlike scenes of the beach.
Earthen Vessel
Local ladies of metal – aka jewelry artists Sandra Seibert and Valerie Schwiderski – will represent at Earthen Vessel. Both artists hand-form, texture and patina metal to create one-of-a-kind wearable art.
Azul Gallery
The surreal glasswork of Hokanson Dix Glass – elegant pieces that manage to mimic sails, tapestries and globelike sea creatures – will be featured at Azul Gallery. Azul will also exhibit new fall collections from jewelry designers like Ayala Bar, Carol Martin and Mars Valentine.
Studio &
Over at Studio &, Colorfest will serve as a farewell party for Dolores artist Rosie Carter’s newest body of work. It’s the last chance to see her quirky and delightful assemblages and screenprints at the Durango artist co-op this year. Also at the gallery: the work of the five member artists who run the place, and jewelry by Crystal Hartman.
Wildshots Gallery
Claude Steelman is a photographer who has spent years behind the lens capturing images of the West: bald eagles and aspen groves, snowy peaks and sinuous canyons, wild horses and wildflowers. For the gallery walk, Wildshots will be displaying Steelman’s mustang images.
