Sights and Sounds on First Friday Art Crawl

Mardi Gras in March -- a little late but lots of fun!  Lakewood Arts and the 40 West Arts District offered a feast for the senses: captivating art, live music and the aroma and deliciousness of creole food from Mile High Cajun and Crescent City food trucks -- yum!  A mild night brought out a host of visitors, many dressed in their Mardi Gras finery, following the jazz sounds of the marching brass band and our own Sandra and Howard Van Dam with their soothing music of "Just Us".
 
 
 Following the "green line" through the district, one discovered roving entertainers and many interesting and amusing exhibits, such as the Casa Bonita exhibit at Next gallery (love the taco duct taped to the wall -- with a reference to the recent banana incident).
 
Stop in the gallery Wed-Sun 11-5 and take a closer look at the display of art: abstracts in the Acorn gallery, art from ARC and the Manning School on the Community wall, and a private rental of the President's wall. And there's always something new in the main co-op gallery.  Support your local artists!

Expression in Abstract Award Winners

 Congratulations to all award winners and participants in the Lakewood Arts Expression in Abstract Exhibit.  Juror Patricia Aaron must have had a difficult job with selection and awarding of prizes, as there is a lot of wonderful work on the walls (and on stands as 3D work was also included!) But her awards are well deserved -- take a look at these award winners and some other pieces accepted into the show. 

1st Place

Stacey Roberts

Where I Belong

2nd Place

Susan Gordon

Red

Merit

Reno Unger

Fever Dream

Merit

Krista Falkenstine

Metallica 1b

Merit

Sarah Marcus

I Turn Wicked

 

 
 
Come on out for tonight's festivities: the opening reception for the Expressions in Abstract exhibit, art from the Manning School and the ARC of Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties, a leather tooling demo by Robert Srader and live music from Sandra and Howard Van Dam "Just Us".  The Mardi Gras themed art crawl in the 40 West Art District will include a marching brass band, food trucks with Cajun themed food and lots of other fun family activities.  See you there!

First Friday with Colorado Mosaic Artists

The First Friday Art Walk of the year offered a beautiful exhibit of mosaics from the Colorado Mosaic Artists, acrylic pours from Anna Kogler, a silverpoint drawing demo by Kristi Czajkowski, and tarot readings to start the new year out.  Take a look at these photos from Viv Prince that captured the evening's activites.

Dia de los Muertos People's Choice Award Winners

The People have spoken, and awarded prizes to their most liked pieces of art in the Lakewood Arts Gallery's Dia de los Muertos exhibit.  Here are the award winners:

1st Place

Day of the Dead with Delphiniums

By Jesse Neumann

 

2nd Place

4 Skulls

By Robyn Cochran Ragland

 

Merit

A Trick of the Light

By George Patterson 

 

Merit

Sight Beyond Sight

By Lauren Lang

 

Merit

Day of the Dead With a Sunflower

By Jesse Neumann 

 

Mask & Hat Award Winners

Masks and Hats were on display at the Lakewood Arts Gallery's First Friday Art Walk last night, just in time for Halloween!  Such creativity was evident with a beach-themed hat, masks made out of leather or even bark, pretty hats decorated with flowers and even one to take to the poker tables!  Jane Dorsey handed out cash awards to the winners in the different categories.  This fun show was a fundraiser for the gallery and hopefully it will become a fall tradition!


Also in the gallery was the annual show of artwork from Charlie and the Girls, featuring work from eponymous Charlie Casper, Gail Firmin, Linda Harris, Jane Dorsey, Lynnette Kupferer, and LAC founder, Barb Tobiska. Sarah Marcus intrigued the crowd with her jewelry making demo and everyone enjoyed the evening!
 
Photos courtesy of Gail Firmin and Viv Prince.

Many Mini Winners Win Big!

The opening reception for the Mountainside Art Guild's National Miniature Show hasn't happened yet, but awards have been awarded and the show is going on! Be sure to pop in for the First Friday reception this Friday, September 6 from 5-9pm or just stop in during business hours 11-5 Wed-Sun to see this wonderful show!  Here's a sneak peak at the winners.
Best in Show:
"Ingredients" by Johanna Morrell


First Place: "Henrietta" by Deb Jenkins


Second Place: "Billy" by Akiko Watanabe

Third Place: "Granny Green" by Peggy Hart
 
Merit: "Winter Sidewalk" by Brian Paulsen
 
Merit: "Off the Map" by Mark Eirhart
 
Chairperson Award: "Forest in the Sky" by Maggie Giza
 
Blick Art Award: "Delicate Delight" by Linda Rossin

Colorado Watercolor Society Award: "Look But Don't Touch" by Vicki Drake