“Being Human,” Julie McNair’s sculptures at Ah Haa

26 Aug “Being Human,” Julie McNair’s sculptures at Ah Haa

[double click to view in larger format]

The girl can’t help it. Sculptor and long-time Telluride local Julie McNair was born to make art.

 Her mother had studied fine art and music in college. Her grandmother was an antique dealer with a large collection of dolls from Europe and China. Both women were always up to something creative.  McNair’s entire family encouraged her in her personal goal to become an artist.

McNair gathered credentials. She studied sculpture at North Texas State University and then earned a master of fine art in sculpture at the University of Wyoming. After graduating, McNair worked as an Artist-in-Residence for Northwest Community College in Powell, Wyoming, where she taught bronze casting and set up a foundry and was then hired as an Assistant Professor at Mississippi State University to teach ceramics, sculpture design and art appreciation. She was director of the Art League of Houston, which involved running all aspects of a non-profit school and gallery.

McNair moved to Telluride in 1985 in search of less stressful work and a more laid back lifestyle. She owned and operated McNair Gallery for more than 17 years, where she represented herself and other emerging artists.

McNair began teaching at the Ah Haa School for the Arts in 1992. In 2006, she accepted a staff position, which she resigned to work full time in her studio.

She is currently represented by Telluride Gallery of Fine Arts in Telluride and in Denver, by Sandra Phillips Gallery.

The month-long show of McNair’s work is united by the theme of power, personal and as a race. We own it – or we don’t. And don’t bother asking McNair what she thinks. She is not likely to say. She will more likely flash an all-knowing Mona Lisa grin.

Artist’s reception is August 27, 5  – 7 p.m. at Ah Haa’s Daniel Tucker Gallery, 300 South Townsend. The event is co-promoted by the Telluride Gallery of Fine Art.