Ah Haa’s Regional Arts Show: Works Up; Now the Hard Part

04 Feb Ah Haa’s Regional Arts Show: Works Up; Now the Hard Part

Cocoon, by Julie McNair, featured at Ah Haa’s Regional Art Show

 Jurist Amy Kimberly Will Choose Cash Prize Winners

When the public views the Ah Haa School for the Arts’ latest exhibition, a collection of work from regional artists, most of the hard work will have been done. The juried show, which opens Thursday, February 6 at 5 p.m. in the Daniel Tucker Gallery, was selected, piece-by-piece, by arts maven and former Telluride resident, Amy Kimberly. From over 170 submissions by 71 artists, Kimberly selected 59 for the final show.

The process, she said, was far from easy, but she believes the show will make an impression on visitors to Ah Haa’s main gallery.

“You’re going to see a strong mix of styles in this show,” she said. “It’s pretty exciting. There are great three-dimensional works and an incredible painting that’s one of the strongest things I’ve ever seen.” 

Kimberly, who serves as the Executive Director for the Carbondale Council for the Arts and Humanities, understands how subjective the experience of art can be.

“I look for something that touches the eye and something that moves me emotionally,” she said. “That emotional connection is an important part of art and it’s very subjective.”

“Waiting,” linicut by Nori Pepe.

Kimberly, who has juried many shows in her long affair with the arts, selected the show’s pieces via digital images sent by each artist. Before the show’s opening, she will have chosen the top three works. The challenge is clear, she knows, as the works represent many different mediums and are each remarkable in their own way.

“There’s everything in this show,” Kimberly said. “There’s art that will make you think and art that’s more whimsical, too.”

Kimberly’s affinity for the arts has resonated throughout her life. In Telluride she owned and operated Fly Me To the Moon Saloon in its heyday, sharing her passion for live music with the community. She also served a stint as director of Telluride Arts (formerly the Telluride Council for the Arts and Humanities). Her sartorial style is well known and she has a flair for funky, often vintage clothing accessorized with art pieces and vibrant splashes of color. Her color favorite is orange. “Like fire,” she said.

Personally, Kimberly is drawn toward mixed media work: “I gravitate toward more unusual art. I like three dimensional work and I’m intrigued with mixing genres.”

The top three pieces will receive cash prizes for the honor – $500 for first; $300 for second ;and $150 for third. A People’s Choice award will also be chosen the night the show opens.

For more information about the Ah Haa’s Regional Art Exhibition, winter classes and more, please visit: www.ahhaa.org or call 970-728-3886