Colorado artists on display in Grand Junction

GRAND JUNCTION – The Jan. 6 First Friday Opening Reception at The Art Center in Grand Junction will feature continuing exhibits from December. Local artists of Western Colorado have ceramics, watercolor, oils, Navajo rugs, mixed media and collage on display. The Art Center’s artist in residence Terry Shepherd is exhibiting a variety ceramic works along with Aspen artist Tammie Lane, who has large scale watercolors for sale and to view.

“Terry Shepherd’s work in this exhibit is an outstanding repertoire of what clay can be molded into,” Melanie Doerpholz, Art Center program director, said. “The work is selling very quickly, however, there are still wonderful pieces left to purchase at the January opening reception.” The Outsiders have paintings on display in various mediums, featuring six Western Colorado female artists Mary Ellen Andrews, Sheri Balke, Wilda Fortune, Geri Harris, Arleen Ruggeri and Gailen Schmidt. “The Outsiders is another one of our incredible annual exhibits that showcases artwork drawn in the downtown and local grand junction areas,” Doerpholz said.

“Rugs and Rawhide,” an exhibit from The Art Center’s Permanent Collection, features Navajo rugs and Western paintings. “Many of the rugs on view were a gift to The Art Center by Dr. A.H. Gould, who was instrumental in funding the addition of the Gould Gallery space. The Jack Roberts paintings, also featured in the exhibit, were recently obtained through a long term loan by US Bank,” said Doerpholz. This opening reception will give community members a sneak peak at some of the artwork for sale at our 8th annual Fine Art Auction on Feb. 3. Call The Art Center at (970)243-7337, ext. 5, for more details or to buy tickets to the auction.

The Jan. 6 First Friday Opening Reception is from 7-9 p.m. at The Art Center located at 1803 N. 7th Street in Grand Junction. The reception is free to the public and will provide hors d’oeuvre and a cash bar along with piano jazz by David Schore. These exhibits can be viewed through Jan. 21. The Art Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with free admission on Tuesday’s. Vail, Colorado