Salida ArtWorks welcomes Colorado Art Ranch artists in residence

Colorado Art Ranch is a nomadic arts organization founded on the belief that the arts are an agent for change.  Once again, Salida is “home” to the newest Art Ranch with 7 artists in residence, living and working here from April 24^th to May 24^th, 2010.

On Sunday, April 25^th, Salida ArtWorks held a potluck reception hosted by PJ and Merrell Bergin to welcome this spring’s Colorado Art Ranch Residents.  They include Mary Beth Ellis, a creative non-fiction writer from Virginia, Sarah Henson, an installation and eco-artist from San Francisco, Hyeon Jung Kim, installation artist from Illinois, C. Maxx Stevens, a sculptor and installation artist from Boulder, Colo., Cathi Schwalbe-Bouzide, a visual artist with an agricultural interest from Chicago, Michael Frels, a visual artist/photographer from Texas and Wendy Pabich, an environmental scientist and painter from Idaho.  Wendy will be speaking at “Science Sunday”, May 9^th, 10AM at Salida Café.

The artists arrived last weekend and immediately set to work on their projects in a large local studio.  Some will prepare installation pieces and others will speak to the public about how art and science intersect with land, water and social issues.  Please make the residents feel welcome as you see them around town and look for more information about their work in the weeks ahead.

Salida ArtWorks is a non-profit organization which seeks to weave the arts into the fabric of our community by providing resources and programs designed to nurture artistic expression and broaden participation in the arts.  In partnership with Colorado Art Ranch, the board and volunteers of Salida ArtWorks have enlisted “Art Buddies” from the area to help the Residents get the “lay of the land”, understand local issues and interact with the community.  For more information about Salida ArtWorks, contact Sue Mills, 539-3657.

The Residency culminates with the Art Ranch Artposium titled “Wade in the Water” to be held at the SteamPlant May 21-23 with great speakers and fun workshops.   

ArtWorks relationship with Colorado Art Ranch dates to 2007.  Salida has hosted residents each year – 21 to date.  Art Ranch puts out the call, juries the applicants, and even transports them here.  ArtWorks searches for housing and pays for half of it, hosts multiple potlucks and assists in making arrangements for the “service to the community” that each artist provides. None of the other towns that have had Artposia have also sponsored residencies in past years, making Salida’s support for this program truly unique.