High Altitude Society: Vail Valley Art Guild hosts second-annual Art & Jazz reception
Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
On Friday at the Colorado Mountain College campus in Edwards, there was an art show opening reception presented by the Vail Valley Art Guild and the CMC Foundation. The college was packed with artists and art appreciators during the second annual show. Kathryn Regjo, CMC vice president and campus dean, greeted guests at the entrance to the college.
“We have about 320 art submissions,” she said in reference to attendance for the show. “We have doubled in size from last year. The pieces are all by local artists, including a combination of Vail Valley Art Guild members and CMC students, faculty and staff.”
This was truly an “interagency” type, community event, and there were many moving parts, including organizing and hanging all of the art. Much of the artwork was for purchase, and the show continues through Thursday, Oct. 29.
“Some of the proceeds go to programming for the Vail Valley Art Guild, as well as to student programming here at the college,” Regjo said. “And, of course, some proceeds go to the artists.”
Diana Scherr, regional development director of the CMC Foundation, was thrilled with the turnout. She encouraged guests to use a ballot to vote for their favorite artists in the People’s Choice category.
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“We have already had the artists vote for each other’s work, as you can see by the ribbons,” Scherr said.
This vote coming from their peers means a great deal to the artists.
Oil painter Sherri Wilson took four esteemed ribbons, including Best Still Life, Best in Show, First Place Advanced and Jurors’ Choice. When the news sank in, the hard-working artist was overcome with emotion. Her husband, Paul, shared their excitement.
“We came around the corner and saw the four ribbons and she was so surprised that she basically cried,” he said. “We have friends in from out of town, so this is real special.”
There were other winners in all kinds of categories, including one for Marc Attoma’s photography.
“I took a lot of great shots during a trip to Cuba,” Attoma said.
While guests mingled and perused the art, they were treated to the jazz music from The Jeremiah Johnson Quartet and noshed on delicious appetizers.
Visit the CMC Edwards campus to see this show, running through October. Visit http://www.vailvalleyartguild.com for more information.
Betty Ann Woodland is a longtime local who covers social events, including fundraisers for nonprofits, local happenings and soirees of all kinds. She can be reached at highaltitudesociety@vaildaily.com.
