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More Than Mere Beauty

Kimberly Nicoletti

KEYSTONE – Artists play an essential role in our community – especially this weekend.

A group of artists from around the nation collectively called The Gatherers meet to hold art shows, which benefit various community organizations. For the fourth year, The Gatherers will present works for sale to the public, then donate 20 percent of the sales to The Summit Foundation. Last year, the Mountain Art Gathering raised $70,000 in sales, donations, sponsorship and gala tickets, said Kim DiLallo, Summit Foundation director of development.

“The reason (the Mountain Art Gathering) is so special is the 12 artists who come for this event are a very giving group,” DiLallo said. Artists are chosen for their dedication to their craft, outgoing personalities and generosity in giving back to the community.



Artists hail from Colorado, New Mexico, Michigan, Texas and Kansas.

Daryl Howard, from Austin, Texas, created The Gatherers in 1997 to benefit the Dripping Springs Community Library building fund in Texas. She works in woodblock printing and mixed media collage, incorporating hand-made papers, gemstones, metallic leaf and Earth pigments. Inspired by Native American philosophy and international travel, each piece builds and layers into the next.



Sally Bright, of Fenton, Mich., weaves baskets, giving macro expression to the natural shapes, dimensions and palettes of the micro world. She works with rattan and palm, coloring the rattan with wood stain and usually leaving the palm natural. Depending on the intricacy of the design, it may take Bright up to three months to complete a basket.

“My goal is to continually challenge assumptions and stretch the definition of what the ancient craft of basketry can be,” Bright said.

Denver resident James A. Dixon spent nearly three decades drawing illustrations for the music and prints industry, brochures, greeting cards, murals and books. In the past decade, he has shifted to bronze art casting.

Doyle Goebel began creating wood sculptures with his brother-in-law Curtis Nazworth in the early 1970s. Since then, they have expanded to bronze, silver, paper and other mediums, representing their love of nature and art.

J. Mark Kohler is a native Texan who has always loved the images of the contemporary working cowboy, which he interprets through watercolors.

“Each painting becomes an opportunity to portray my subjects as they deserve to be, with dignity,” Kohler said. “I try to reflect the passion of cowboys for their work.”

Jan Mapes lives on a ranch in eastern Colorado and gains her inspiration from living a traditional western lifestyle. She strives to capture the movement, flow and emotion of cowboys, horses and wildlife in her sculptures.

“I intend to never stop growing in my sensitivity toward nature, always taking time to appreciate life,” Mapes said.

Kansas native Danny Meisinger’s fiery passion for pottery began in high school. Since then, he has opened a gallery and works with ceramics full time.

Doug Ricketts, of Higgens, Texas, grew up in New Mexico surrounded by a rich arts-and-crafts tradition. He incorporates reclaimed wood and vintage hardware into his quality-crafted furniture, accompanying each piece with a written history of the buildings from which the wood was taken and the people who lived or worked there.

“I try to bring humor and a great deal of reverence into the design of the furniture and at the same time let the surprising and varied parts go on working and being enjoyed in a second, recycled life,” Ricketts said.

The art gathering also features B.J. Briner’s oil-pencil pieces, Jared Davis’ blown glass, Phil Poirier’s jewelry and Michael Ome Untiedt’s oil paintings.

Free children’s art activities at the Silver Mill Courtyard will mimic the work of various artists, including crafting jewelry and pottery.

From noon-2 p.m. today, Mark Schlafer will play the blues; from noon-2 p.m. Saturday, Jim Salestrom will perform; and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Nancy Cook will play.

An Artful Feast, a dinner gala at 6:30 today, will feature live music and a live auction of pieces donated by each artist. Tickets are $100. Inquire at the information tent at the event for availability.

The three-day art show is free and open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today and Saturday and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

The Summit Foundation is a public foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents and guests of Summit County and neighboring communities. It awards grants to nonprofit agencies providing programs and services in art and culture, health and human services, education, environment and sports. It has awarded more than $4.6 million to 167 organizations since 1986, DiLallo said.

Kimberly Nicoletti can be reached at (970) 668-3998 ext. 245 or by e-mail at knicoletti@summitdaily.com.

Mountain Art Gathering

– When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today and Saturday, Aug. 3, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4

– Where: River Run Village, Keystone


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