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DAC artists show off at annual exhibit

By Ted Holteen Arts & Entertainment Editor

Thursday, March 3, 2011 5:01 PM

Its not often that the Durango Arts Center gets picky about who can and cant put their artwork on display. Sure, jurors often decide what gets in, but theyre not supposed to consider whos submitting it.

Once a year, however, the Barbara Conrad Gallery is set aside for that special group of DAC members who not only support the arts, they create them, too. And the DAC will present its Member Artists to the public tonight with an opening reception and awards ceremony for the select group.

And select it is Exhibits Director Jeannie Berger said of more than 700 DAC members, only 72 are displaying their work in the current exhibit, 16 of them for the first time at the DAC.

Ironically, even though the participation is limited, the Member Artists exhibit is as diverse as any because there is no theme or requirements of a specific medium. Pastels, oils and watercolors hang beside photographs and mosaics, and the subject matter ranges from local landscapes to foreign places to the abstract. Thats what hanging on the walls, and amidst it all is an odd but fun collection of sculpture, jewelry, fabric and less definable three-dimensional works.

The overall effect created by Berger and her volunteer crew is a bright, cheery display that welcomes a prolonged visit. Its not the kind of show thats likely to evoke an emotional response or any heavy introspection; its generally lighthearted and is a good sample of the artists talents.

Tonights festivities include a slew of awards that will be handed out; those picking winning entries include DAC Board President Terry Swan and Executive Director Sheri Rochford-Figgs, board member Diane Panelli, the Womens Resource Center, Durango Friends of the Arts and The Durango Herald A&E award, chosen by yours truly.

And while participation in Member Artists was limited to members of the DAC, the exhibit, including tonights reception, is free and open to the public.

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Long shows roots in latest installation

Few, if any, Durango artists put as much effort into their craft as Mary Ellen Long. Thats not a knock on Durangos art community; its a testament to Longs passion.
I worked for a year on this, Long said Wednesday while putting the finishing touches on ROOTS, her exhibit that opens tonight in the upstairs Art Library at the Durango Arts Center.
ROOTS premiered last fall at the Land Gallery in Albuquerque, and its a small miracle that the show travels so will considering the fragility and intricacy of the roots themselves. The DAC installation begins before you even enter the library, as the stairway and hall are adorned with the roots of trees and smaller plants. Once inside, ROOTS has a calming effect. For the exhibit Long created drawings and three-dimensional pieces, all portraying roots or incorporating actual roots. Theyre displayed and/or adorned with some of Longs signature accoutrements, namely the one-of-a-kind paper that she makes by hand.
Long got the inspiration for ROOTS nine years ago when her home was barely spared by the 2002 Missionary Ridge Fire. Much of what was left in the area surrounding her home was just roots, and she started collecting them. Some she wrapped in the homemade paper and others were dipped in sumi ink.
Then as I kept collecting them a lot of people began sending me roots, she said.
Stare at something long enough and it begins to take on a different meaning, and so it was with Longs fascination with roots. One facet of the installation is a wall she calls Roots to Rivers, which depicts aerial views of the Colorado, Nile and Rio Grande basins. Turn them around and they look remarkably like roots.
I just began to see the rivers as roots. They absorb, store and feed just like roots, and they look like them, too, Long said.
ROOTS will remain on display in the Art Library through April.
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If you go

The Durango Arts Center will host opening receptions from 5-7 p.m. today for the annual Member Artists exhibition in the Barbara Conrad Gallery and for ROOTS, an installation by Mary Ellen Long in the upstairs Art Library. Both exhibits are free and open to the public. For more information, call 259-2606.