CAE Newsletter – February 22, 2023

My Grandma Evelyn was an artist. She had many jobs in her life, but I knew her mostly as a retired person. She used her retirement to travel, take classes at the local college toward her bachelor’s degree, and create art. In one college class, she was asked to create a copy of a famous artist’s work. She painted an almost-life-sized version of Jackson Pollock’s Easter and the Totem. The painting hung over Evelyn’s couch for years, even toward the end of her life when she moved to an assisted living facility. Today, it hangs in my bedroom—a tribute to my Grandma.

Whenever I would visit her at the assisted living facility, Evelyn would guide me to her apartment on her battery-operated scooter. I never paid much attention to the artwork in the hallways because I knew there was something much more beautiful behind Evelyn’s door. But I always thought, “What about the people who live here who aren’t artists? They don’t have a lifetime of art in their apartments. I hope this ‘hallway artwork’ brings them joy.”

In Evergreen, we are so fortunate to have Elk Run Assisted Living—a warm and wonderful place that offers the same great care my Grandma received in central Illinois. When I visited today, I was reminded of that hallway artwork – the pieces that gave residents something beautiful to appreciate and a landmark for their home: “My apartment is just past the covered bridge painting.” It’s these memories that make me so excited about our new partnership with Elk Run. If you are an Artist Member at CAE, We Want You. CAE is now coordinating artwork on a rotating basis for Elk Run Assisted Living, Buchanan Rec Center, and for Parkside Café. It’s a wonderful perk for our loyal artist members, and even more importantly, it’s a beautiful opportunity for the residents of Evergreen. Whether working out at Buchanan, grabbing breakfast at Parkside, or sharing joy with loved ones at Elk Run, sometimes “hallway” artwork is even more meaningful to someone than “gallery” artwork. Please reach out to me if you are interested in having your artwork considered.

In other news, join us this Thursday night for some “gallery” artwork at the opening of Immortalized: Lens + Light. The opening reception is from 4-7 pm. Also, please check out all of our new adult and youth class opportunities below and on our website. Pay special attention to the offerings for middle school and high school art students. These classes and camps offer a great chance for our young artists to make their mark around Evergreen through murals and public art. And be sure to stop by Buchanan Rec Center to see the artwork we helped the Evergreen High School art department hang. The opening reception of their show, Hodgepodge, is this Friday from 5-6 pm at Buchanan. And finally, don’t miss out on tickets to our first concert on March 9 with John Erlandson and Mary Huckins of Dakota Blonde. Tables are sold out and general admission seats are selling fast.

Until next week, come Find Your Joy Through Art at CAE (or around Evergreen, where CAE artists are touching the lives of people every day!).

Sara

February 23 – April 1, 2023

Opening Reception: Feb. 23 | 4-7 pm

Artists have used glass to create art for centuries. Estimates say that glass lasts longer than 1 million years—an almost infinite amount of time in human history. Immortalized: Lens & Light explores the way in which artists create with glass and glass lenses—stained, fused, mosaic, and fine art photography—to celebrate and commemorate people, cultures, or moments in time. This contrasting exhibition includes the work of glass artists Trudy Chiddix, Maria Sheets, and Susan Wechsler, and Photo Pensato Collective photographers Thomas Carr, Ron Johnson, Raj Manickam, Stephen Podrasky, Ward Russell, John Shelton, and Michael Trupiano.

Join us for drinks and small bites at the public opening reception for Immortalized: Lens & Light on Thursday, February 23 from 4 to 7 pm at Center for the Arts Evergreen. The exhibition will run through Saturday, April 1, 2023 and is free to the public thanks in part to SCFD, Colorado Creative Industries, and exhibition sponsors Mountain Home Evergreen, Alexa Interiors, and Pandora John Properties.

SOLD OUT VIP Individual – $40

SOLD OUT VIP Table of 6 – $200

What would you do with $300? The Evergreen Artists Association is offering grants to adult artists living and/or working around and near the Evergreen area. The grant will be awarded for future tuition of classes, special projects (installation, supplies, materials), or show entrance fees. The application for the Adult Artist Grant is open. Apply today!

In the summer of 1862, a group of young artists led by the passionate and talented Edward Radcliffe descends upon Birchwood Manor on the banks of the Upper Thames. Their plan: to spend a secluded summer month in a haze of inspiration and creativity. But by the time their stay is over, one woman has been shot dead while another has disappeared; a priceless heirloom is missing; and Edward Radcliffe’s life is in ruins.

Over one hundred and fifty years later, Elodie Winslow, a young archivist in London, uncovers a leather satchel containing two seemingly unrelated items: a sepia photograph of an arresting-looking woman in Victorian clothing, and an artist’s sketchbook containing the drawing of a twin-gabled house on the bend of a river.

Why does Birchwood Manor feel so familiar to Elodie? And who is the beautiful woman in the photograph? Will she ever give up her secrets?