Happenings at LAC

Collection of new work by Co-Op Gallery artists

Things have really been exciting at the LAC Art Center recently! We have had a tremendous response to our annual sale of art supplies and art work - both from donors and shoppers. You may have noticed how much good publicity we got for this fund raiser. It was a win-win situation for everyone - people brought in just about everything imaginable to donate and shoppers left with wonderful items purchased for the amount they could afford. LAC made over $1,200 which will really help support our activities this year.

Collection of new work by Co-Op Gallery artists

Classes are in full swing with good enrollment for all of them. Despite the "iffy" weather on some days, students were eager to get back to work and visit with classmates. The Open Studio on Monday is becoming increasingly popular with new and returning artists; today was especially fun with the addition of two high school girls who came in to draw and visit on their President's Day holiday. It's a delightful mix of ages, media, and degree of expertise.

The Co-Op artists brought in new work over the weekend - providing a fresh new group of paintings on display. Jane Dorsey's inventive collage of ghostly images is a real attention getter - and it has already sold! This is Jane's second sale this week, the other being a large abstract acrylic piece. We have welcomed a new glass artist, J Bisant, who has some lovely sandblasted pieces for sale. Sales have been good in the downstairs gallery with jewelry, glass, mosaics and note cards taking the lead...but sales of wall hung work are going well also. Special congratulations to Loraine Miller on selling her large watercolor of Taos and to past member Bill Leonard on the sale of his iris painting.

Mixed media painting by Jane McFadden Dorsey

Finally, the first discussion group of the year was very interesting and well attended. Several new people came for the discussion of finding inspiration and overcoming dry spells. Artists who create regularly are an extremely well informed, inquisitive group. Everyone agreed the key is research - no matter what kind! Know your subject, be interested in a variety of things, watch and learn - all the time! Many keep extensive photo files; others rely on getting out, observing, looking. Inspiration can be found by working with other artists...in classes & workshops, in small groups, with friends or through books, videos, or attending art exhibits. Sometimes trying a new medium or combination of media, using a new color, finding a new brush - doing something that takes you out of your comfort zone can help overcome a lack of ideas. Always be looking ahead to the next piece. As Courtney remarked during the discussion, there is no such thing as failure! Everything just leads us to the next work.

Glass by new artist J Bisant

Next up....the results of our first big juried show. "Colorado's Best" arrives upstairs this weekend!

Valentine's Event

Thanks to Kathy Berls for the article and Lynnette Kupferer for the great photos!



Valentine's Day is always special for the Lakewood Arts Council! Each year, we plan a different kind of event and it is always one of the most popular things we present. This year's celebration brought a capacity crowd as we enjoyed music performed by "West Side Winds", a trio of talented ladies from the Lakewood Symphony.








Guests enjoyed a delicious array of tea sandwiches, chocolates and tasty treats (thanks Loraine Miller and Barb Tobiska for your contributions). Friends gathered for good conversation as they enjoyed the performers' music - a perfect mix of classical selections and familiar popular tunes. The weather was perfect and everyone was in the right romantic mood for a cozy afternoon. We even had two people celebrating their 47th wedding anniversary a day early - congratulations Mary & John Edgar!





For those who want to hear more from our musicians, they perform with the Lakewood Symphony at the Lakewood Cultural Center. Their next concert is scheduled for Thursday, March 3. Check out their website at http://www.lakewoodsymphony.org/.

Two Fun Events

Thanks to Artistic Director, Kathy Berls, for the following article and pictures! Thanks to Lynette Kupferer for the Jeffco Library event photos!

Nancy Whitsel and Stacy McKenzie from Jefferson County Libraries

What fun to bring two new events to our list of activities this past weekend! We really have such a fun, creative, nice group of people in our organization. On Friday, the presentation by volunteers from the Jeffco Libraries brought a small but attentive group to our Art Center. Human Resources professional Nancy Whitsel and Library Program Coordinator Stacy McKenzie told us of the many opportunities provided by our local libraries from book mobiles that travel to local retirement communities to ways to download books on your Kindle. The group attending was knowledgeable and interested in the topic - they came with questions and left with amazement over the many free programs offered. It was a wonderful session, made all the more fun with tasty treats provided by Barbara Tobiska (we all want to know how she makes those delicious sandwiches on round bread!) We hope to do a follow-up to this program in the near future as it is such a great addition to our literary arts program. The program is offered free to any organization, so contact your library if you belong to another group who might be interested.

Stacy McKenzie presents information about Jeffco libraries and services

A very different kind of gathering took place the next day. Approximately 17 LAC members and friends gathered at our first Orientation Meeting. Following a warm welcome by President Cindy Haase, we all had fun with a version of "20 Questions". Each person was encouraged to provide two questions to be answered by Artistic Director Kathy Berls and President Cindy. It was a lively round-table discussion with everyone joining in with their questions and observations - and some great new ideas. How nice to be part of a group who knows how to laugh and have a good time - no matter what the topic. We got to know each other better and to learn a little more about the Arts Council, its origins, events, and method of operation. New friendships were formed as people stayed after the session to enjoy more coffee and refreshments and to share more ideas. There was a wonderful feeling of comraderie and excitement as we all learned more about each other and of the many opportunities the Arts Council provides. Certainly the main message that came through was that none of us can do without the arts! Our Community Art Center is just the place to discover your hidden talents and passions.

Board members Warner Reeser and Marje Walsh visit with new LAC members Mariposa Marangia and Dan Martinez and their friend Jean before the LAC Orientation Meeting began.

President Cindy Haase welcomes about 17 guests to the discussion group on Saturday.

We're looking forward to seeing you at a future event - maybe it will be the Valentine's Tea scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 13th??