Artist's Choice Reception At Lakewood Cultural Center

The Lakewood Arts Council's Artist's Choice Exhibit at the Lakewood Cultural Center attracted many Colorado artists hoping to be represented in this popular show.  The Call for Entry elicited over 140 entries to be juried, by local artist Chuck Danford, who had the difficult job of whittling entries down by about a third.  Prize money was then awarded to the top placers, and a number of merit awards.  The opening reception was held Thursday evening, May 21, with lots of refreshments, a chance to see the award winners and enjoy the rest of the art, along with meeting the artists and friends.  The show will run through June 14.  Stop by and see it!

photos courtesy of J. Bisant

Gorgeous Gardens

The Lakewood Arts Council is celebrating spring with garden grandeur:  the Garden Inspirations exhibit in the Acorn Gallery and the upcoming Garden Tour.  Get inspired for the tour by perusing the fun and artistic display at the LAC Acorn Gallery. Deep purple blooms, larger than life size 3D works, watercolor, pastel and oil renditions of your favorite flowers as well as a wonderful stained glass lamp to light up the floral display.  Sculptures galore and a whole wall devoted to yellow.  You must come in and see it!

The LAC Annual Garden Tour takes place Saturday, June 27.  Tickets include a luncheon at the gallery and exciting demo's as well as a tour of all the Lakewood gardens.  Call the gallery at 303 980-0625 for details.

LAC Painting Party

Lakewood Arts Council's new space next to Casa Bonita is shaping up with the help from many LAC members and friends.  With Ann Quinn heading up the construction schedule, cabinets are being installed, plumbing fixed up, electrical wiring being brought up to code, floors leveled, new doors installed, graffiti removed and fresh paint slathered on the walls.  Slatted hanging boards will be installed to hang 2D work and carpet tiles will be laid down all in preparation for a mid March opening, and Grand Opening on March 28.  Thanks to all those who have helped with negotiations, ripping out fixtures and installing new ones, securing professional help, lining up donations and making this a comfortable new home for the LAC. 

UPDATE - We Will Be Back Soon!

When we closed our doors at 85 South Union at the end of October, we were hopeful that we would be back in business sooner, rather than later.  There were contracts to sign, contractors to hire, and a few major holidays to schedule around.  I'm pleased to be able to report that PROGRESS IS BEING MADE!

The interior space is undergoing demolition this week.  The contractor will be cleaning out the entire space, removing and replacing ceiling tiles, and bringing the restrooms up to current codes that include handicap accessibility.

Looking from Front to Back of Space.  The classroom/flex space
 is located beyond the opening in the wall on the left.

Looking from Front to Back of Space.  Large pile of debris, mostly the
remains of the walls that have been removed from the space.

More Pictures!  This is the classroom/flex space...

The classroom/flex space is to the right of the wall shown in the center of the photo.
The main gallery space is to the left of that wall.

Classroom/flex space

And More Pictures!

Looking from the classroom/flex space to the kitchen/coffee bar location.
The main gallery will be to the right of the wall that is sticking out.

Looking from the back of the main gallery space, across to the front
and south wall.  The two center posts and short wall will be removed,
leaving a large, open area for the main gallery.

Looking across the main gallery from back to front, showing the pile of debris.

Many thanks to our VP of General LAC Operations ANN QUINN, the architect on our project, who took these in progress photographs!

We will be posting more photos as work progresses.  We do not yet have an opening date, but check back on our website as we are keeping it updated.  We'll see you in 2015!

8 Squared Event a FUNdraising Success!

The first annual 8 Squared Fundraising Event at the LAC Saturday evening was not only a fun time for all, but a successful fundraiser for the Arts Council.  Thirty-eight pieces of art sold raising over $2000!  Thanks to all who put in their time and effort to make this happen.

Over 50 artists donated 8x8 inch artworks making up the 150 pieces that hung in the gallery for the month of September.  For $100 a piece could be spoken-for prior to the event, with the rest going for $50 each during the sale.

A large crowd turned out for the event. The evening commenced with a preview hour from 6-7pm.  While sipping champagne or punch, and sampling the fancy dessert selection, visitors could view all the pieces and make their first, second and third choices.

 At the appointed hour, the floor was cleared and at precisely 7 pm, shoppers descended into the gallery to make a mad dash toward their chosen piece. Conversations then consisted of discussing who got which piece and what talent these artists have!  Cashier stations were set up in the main gallery space to ease congestion and make purchases quickly.

Barb Benik then gave away door prizes to contributing artists as well as LAC commemorative mugs and other favors.  Desserts and crowds started to disappear, and talk of next year's 8Squared Event brought up new ideas.  Everyone went home happy with their purchases and enjoyed a fun social evening at the LAC. 

Ronnie Seagren: Meet the Author series

Author, artist, singer, Ronnie Seagren visited the Lakewood Arts Council on Friday, September 19th, to talk about the genre of science fiction, and read a selection from one of her published short stories, "Listening".  An interested group gathered to listen to Ronnie as she recounted the story of a lone "listener" living in the mountains tending to the incoming data from MABEL, an instrument in the search for extraterrestrial life.

We also discussed the difference between "hard science fiction, soft science fiction" and other genres.  Ronnie's published novel "Seventh Daughter" was also available for sale, a portion of the profits promised to the Lakewood Arts Council.

Stay tuned for more upcoming literary events from the LAC!

6 Gals and a Guy

The third annual artist-themed exhibit is on display in the loft gallery at the Lakewood Community Art Center and Gallery, 85 S. Union Blvd in Lakewood.  This fun show, titled “6 Gals and a Guy” for 2014, requires the seven participating artists to each submit two subjects at the start of the year, so 14 pieces of artwork can be created during the year to hang in the September show. 

The token male, Charlie Casper, responsible for the show’s title, submitted the theme, “In the Jungle”, which elicited tropical flowers, birds, and animals, and for his second theme of “Taking Flight”, I chose to draw a botanical illustration with colored pencils of maple leaves and their winged seeds, called Samaras. 

  Barb Tobiska, founder of the Lakewood Arts Council and past participant in this exclusive show, painted a soft oil painting seascape full of “Shells”, her submitted theme. 

 Her second theme of “Interior” inspired artistically rendered rooms, including Katy Haas’ miniature graphite piece.  Barb Benik, president of LAC suggested topics of “Sons and Daughters” and “The Land”, which resulted in some beautiful landscapes. 

Cats, Toys, Birds, Winter, Flowers, Water, Food and Skies were the other subjects artists had to interpret for their creations. 

 Artists included in this exhibit are Lynnette Kupferer, Barb Tobiska, Katy Haas, Barb Benik, Ann Quinn, Charlie Casper and Gail Firmin.  Stop by the gallery to see the show, on through the end of September.  For more information visit www.lakewoodartscouncil.org or call 303 980-0625.