Collaboration May 2024 Newsletter |
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Hello, Art and Design Friends!Art is often a solitary pursuit. It's often a self-expression meant to be shared with others eventually, but the process is largely a solo effort. Thanks to my studio at The ArtRoom Collective, the open studio concept has pushed me through some vulnerability about sharing the (sometimes messy, awkward) process of art, and helped me embrace the idea of painting as a shared medium. In a current project, the opposite of solitary, I'm painting a 155' collaborative Santa Rita Wastewater Reclamation Facility mural with eight other local artists. On a whim back in October, I posted a city Request For Artist Proposal about a large mural project on Instagram, hoping to meet some of the local movers and shakers of the mural scene to learn about this outdoor medium. One of our local mural rock stars, Parker, replied to the post, "Got a group chat going of all of the local muralists I can think of, hoping for a massive collaboration 🙌🤞🤞" Talk about manifestation! Thanks, Parker! We all gathered at a local coffee shop, made introductions, and set out to brainstorm and propose our idea to the City with local Walls Project manager Tom Donley. I'm deeply grateful and impressed at the range of our talents, styles, and unique visual interpretations of the 45 vignettes representing the flora, fauna, and history of the Animas River. Our group is a vibrant tapestry of diversity—it includes a nutritionist, a model, several parents, graphic designers, a tattoo artist, and full-time artists—all with exceptional talent and passion for the medium. Their unique styles, visual interpretations and contributions are what make this project so rich and meaningful. I'm humbled by the learning and collaborative experience, and I hope it inspires you as much as it has inspired me. We'll finish the mural in time for River Days, which includes stand-up paddling, river surfing, freestyle kayaking, boatercross, raft and kayak slalom, downriver races, and the local's favorite river parade viewing party. Join us for the mural unveiling on June 1st at 1 pm at Santa Rita Park! How could a new collaboration be impactful to your life? Warmly, Cindy P.S. If your inbox is maxed out, you're always welcome to unsubscribe at the bottom of the page. Thank you! |
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The Walls Project
City of Durango Mural I'm thrilled to be collaborating with nine local professional artists chosen to colorfully transform the Santa Rita Water Reclamation Facility Administration building walls at Santa Rita Park! Our local seasons, nature, and watershed inspired our 155' mural (the largest one in Durango!). It will be presented during Animas River Days on June 1 at 1 pm, and we will be on the Santa Rita Park mini-stage to unveil the mural and discuss the process. | | |
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Durango First Friday The ArtRoom Collective has loved offering First Friday demonstrations for more than a year. When I approached extraordinary Kathryn Waggener, director of Durango Creative District, to propose First Fridays as a city-wide event, she jumped at the chance! She engaged the City of Durango who offered free bus service on First Fridays. Local First jumped in to be the hub of First Fridays, hosting an interactive map of participating businesses and artists on their website. Alpine Bank offered a generous sponsorship for advertising this year. What an amazing collaborative team—we're off and running! Celebrate Durango’s creative side! Every month throughout Durango, local businesses, galleries, and the spaces in between host artists of all kinds. Find live music, original performances, featured artist showcases, and artisan pop-up markets all across town. Durango Businesses, showcase and support our community’s local art and creative scene by listing your Durango First Friday event. Artists, register here as an interested artist. Find monthly events on the interactive map on the Local First website. Every event needs a bright logo and marketing, so I've collaborated with Local First to create materials to help spread the word. I'll see you downtown on a First Friday soon! | | |
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The Art Guild of Create Guest Speakers The Art Guild of Create offers monthly networking meetings for all creative minds to come together and share and learn from each other. I'll be the guest speaker this week, Wednesday, May 15th at 5:30pm at Create Art & Tea, 1015 Main Avenue, Durango, to talk about my art and design journey. It's free to join in. I hope to see you there! |
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Willowtail Sculpture Gardens Opening Reception and Fundraiser Join Willowtail Springs Nature Preserve and Education Center for the realization of a long vision - presenting sculpture in our lush gardens and the natural beauty of Willowtail, in one glorious event integrating environment and the arts -- the Willowtail Sculpture Gardens Opening Reception and Fundraiser on May 19 from 2-5pm! I just visited Willowtail to drop off three pieces of art to be featured in this opening—it is a garden paradise now! I encourage you to experience this special place, embrace Spring, wander the gardens, sip on wine and be inspired by more than 40 sculptures and dozens of fine art paintings and their artists. Willowtail Springs
Nature Preserve and Education Center,
10451 County Road 39, Mancos CO 81328 |
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The ArtRoom Collective June First Friday First Friday, June 7 at 5:30pm Art Talks: Women Artists of the Southwest Art Talks is an introduction to the great artists and various art movements. How they created and have inspired and awed us through history. What was their motivation, what pushed them to be creative? Bindu Bammi Hughes offers Art Talks each month at Create Art & Tea, and she’ll be giving her talk on Women Artists of the Southwest this First Friday, June 7 at 5:30pm at The ArtRoom Collective. Please join us! Bindu has spent years in the field of international education, broadening her horizons and making a positive impact on the lives of young learners. This path took her to various countries, including the Philippines and Indonesia, where she had the privilege of working as an educator and connecting with diverse communities. Through teaching, she discovered the transformative power of art and its ability to foster self-expression, cross-cultural understanding, and personal growth. Driven by her passion for art and its potential to heal and inspire, she pursued further studies in art therapy, equipping herself with the knowledge and skills to guide others on their own creative journeys. As an artist, art educator, and art therapist, she has been fortunate to witness the transformative effects of art in the lives of individuals and communities, helping them find solace, self-discovery, and empowerment. |
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Sushi Night! What better way to collaborate over a meal than to have your own sushi night! Creating your own colorful sushi rolls at home is a delicious, healthy, fun way to indulge in your own Japanese restaurant favorites.
It's easier to make than you'd imagine, and with this varied menu, it's easy to please everyone everyone at your table, whether they like raw seafood, cooked, or both. This menu takes about an hour to prep, and even less time if friends help. Modify each dish to your liking -- sushi making is an art, after all!
Grab a few friends, a couple bottles of white wine, put on some good music and have fun rolling! | | |
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My Smiley Building ArtRoom studio is small but mighty, containing works in progress, finished art pieces, and items to purchase. It's my place to develop my personal artistic style, explore mediums, and share my passion for pursuing beauty in our world. If you enjoy this newsletter, previous editions can be viewed here. I welcome you to visit my online art portfolio or drop by the Smiley Building ArtRoom to say hello when you're in downtown Durango. I hope to see you soon. Warmly, Cindy |
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