The Art of Gratitude: Celebrating the Arts and Culture Community in Colorado Springs

Happy Thanksgiving! Today in collaboration with Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region (COPPeR) and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, we share what makes the arts and culture community of Colorado Springs thankful. Here are our own FAC “gratitudes." If you would like to join in the chorus, please leave a comment about what makes you thankful!

"I am grateful for the opportunity to promote the people and programs at the Fine Arts Center, to be apart of an institution that strives to positively impact every patron, all of our great community partners and, most importantly, the staff at the Fine Arts Center." - Charlie Snyder

"I’m grateful for artists – the essence of who we are and what we do." -Blake Milteer

"I’m so thankful for my incredible family and friends and for the daily opportunity to live a life that I love!" - Joy Armstrong

"I am thankful for the hard work the arts and cultural community members and organizations do to support and encourage the arts of Colorado Springs. Art is all around us!" -Tara Thomas

"I am grateful that I get to work for such a great artistic organization. I get to be inspired by quality art on a daily basis. I am thankful for all of my coworkers whom I learn so much from challenge me in my design work." - Serena Wolford

"I’m grateful for the chance to work with passionate, talented, and caring people! I'm also thankful for holidays that involve food. Food is art you can eat." - Becca Sickbert

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Dress Rehearsal!

The FAC's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat opens this Friday! Do you have your tickets yet? If not, watch this video medley from Sunday's dress rehearsal and get ready for a dazzling performance celebrating brotherhood, dreams, song, and dance!

All together now!

It was red and yellow and green and brown
And scarlet and black and ochre and peach
And ruby and olive and violet and fawn
And lilac and gold and chocolate and mauve
And cream and crimson and silver and rose
And azure and lemon and russet and grey
And purple and white and pink and orange
And red and yellow and green and brown and
Scarlet and black and ochre and peach
And ruby and olive and violet and fawn
And lilac and gold and chocolate and mauve
And cream and crimson and silver and rose
And azure and lemon and russet and grey
And purple and white and pink and orange and blue!

Help Urban Peak! Bring Donated Items to Any Performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Nov. 26 - Dec. 19 | FAC Box Office | All performances of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Look for the Urban Peak Collection Point at the FAC's Box Office!

Did you know? November is homeless and runaway youth month. Between 1200 and 1500 youth and young adults ages 12 to 24 are homeless in Colorado right now, according to the National Runaway Switchboard.

The FAC is partnering with Urban Peak. Urban Peak Colorado Springs helps young people overcome homelessness and other real life challenges by providing safety, respect, essential services and a supportive community, empowering them to become self-reliant adults.

Please help us collect these important items for Urban Peak!

• BUS PASSES
• CLOTHING SUPPLIES:
  Socks (crew or athletic)
  Men’s boxers (new)
  Women underwear (new)
  Winter Coats
  Long Sleeve T-Shirts
  Sweatshirts
  Gloves
  Flip-Flops
  Watches
• MEDICAL SUPPLIES:
  Hand Sanitizer
Foot powder/spray
Pill Boxes
Over the counter
Sudafed, Neosporin
Tums, Pepto Bismol
Icy Hot, Cough Drops
Alcohol Free Cough Syrup
• NON-PERISHABLE FOOD:
  Canned Tomato Products
  Any Mexican Food
  Cooking Oil
  Cold Cereals
  Maple Syrup
  Pancake Mix
  Granola/Breakfast Bars
  Juice/ Tang/Kool Aid
• HYGIENE Supplies:
  Deodorant (men/women)
  Shaving cream / Razors
  Acne face wash
  Mousse and hair gel
  African American hair products
  Lip Balm/Chap stick
  Lotion
  Tampons
  Shampoo & Conditioner
  

Explore the Wild West! Family Adventure Day Dec 4, 2010

Free Family Adventure Day at Bemis School of Art
Dec. 4, 2010 | 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. | FREE
Explore the Wild West!

Activities include:
Crafting a "Stuffed" Horse Head
Drawing and Designing Cowboy Boots
Constructing a Native American Shield
Docent-led tours to the Fine Arts Center are offered at 12:30 pm!

Light Up a Lifetime: Building Bonds & Breaking Barriers Through Art

Bemis School of Art provided space on Nov. 17 for four Indy Give! 2010 organizations to create a a new kind of intergenerational and inter-species workshop. Silver Key Senior Services, FutureSelf, Urban Peak, and Dreampower Animal Rescue to combine forces.

Each of the four participating organizations share one thing in common: their clients benefit from the social and familial connection that every living creature needs to feel cared-for and loved.

Dream Power brought its participants, puppies and dogs waiting for placement, to open the evening as a social ice-breaker and representative of the many animals who also need people in their lives. With this easy introduction, participants were then led by Wendy Mike, founder of FutureSelf, through a series of artistic explorations allowing participants to feel comfortable with their varying degrees of skill, their ability to express feelings and emotions non-verbally and the power that a stroke, a dash or a block of color will lend to their voice.

The finale was a group project where each participant completed an oil-pastel on paper which was then collected, tiled, and mounted to display a large “portrait” of kids, seniors and pets. They didn’t know it until that moment, but life had imitated art, a concept Oscar Wilde made popular.

One senior participant, Sharon King, wept at the unveiling of the final piece and the moment of realization that, she too, is special and necessary. All who left that night were looking forward to the Colorado Springs Festival of Lights, in which all four groups will participate, and the post-parade LUAL celebration on December 4, 2010 FutureSelf building, 214 E. Vermijo. Call Silver Key Senior Services at 884-2318 to learn more!

Announcing the New Deco Lounge Tapas Menu!

Art Deco Tapas

• Sweet Potato Fries with Brûléed Marshmallow Sauce $5
• American Caviar and Tarragon Goat Cheese Crostini $7
• White Truffled Yukon and Blue Peruvian Potato Eggrolls with Brown Dipping Gravy $5
• Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab and Brie Cheese Meltaway on Toast Point with Balsamic Syrup and Sambal Pepper Sauce $10
• Falafel Dippers with Raita and Garam Masala Apricot Sauce $7
• Buffalo Pork Wings with Jicama Slaw $4.50 per piece
• Chicken Satay with Peanut Dipping Sauce $6.50
• Prime Grade Beef Carpaccio with Fried Caper, Avocado Parmesan Crisp and Classic Aioli $12

Soup Sippers

• Potato and Chestnut $2.50
• Fall Harvest $2.50

Gourmet Burgers

• Art Deco Burger Eight ounces Ground Beef Chuck served with sandwich set of Romaine Lettuce, Red Onion and Tomato
• Custom Design Your Burger with choice of any of the following:
  Roasted Peppers, Sautéed Mushrooms, Peach Salsa, Maple Glazed Bacon, Cheddar, Blue and Brie Cheese 9.75

EVERY TUESDAY: Four-Course Chef's Menu $29

Every Tuesday Chef's Menu Dinners | $29 per person | Reservations required.

Chef Sherman invites you to enjoy his selection of season cuisine. Taste four courses of masterfully prepared dishes, complete with appetizer, salad/soup, entrée, and dessert!

Does not include drinks, tax, or tip.

Please call 719.477.4377 for more details and to make reservations.

Bemis Faculty Art Show & Holiday Sale

The FAC brings you the celebrated Bemis faculty annual holiday art show and sale. Find gorgeous gifts made by local artists. Sale takes place at Bemis School of Art. Mark your calendars:

Fri., Dec. 3 | 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Sat., Dec. 4 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sun., Dec. 5 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

818 Pelham Place, Colorado Springs, CO

Located off of Cache la Poudre & Cascade
csfineartscenter.org | 719-475-2444

Cash, Checks, and Credit Cards are welcome

Edward S. Curtis photography exhibition opens Saturday!

Edward Curtis: From the Sparks Collection | Nov. 20-Feb. 27

Steiner Family Gallery

Edward S. Curtis (1868-1952) sought to create a photographic document of American Indians. The photographs depicted, as Curtis wrote, "all features of Indian life and environment - the young and the old, with their habitations, industries, ceremonies, games, and everyday customs."

This exhibition features 26 photogravures from the private collection of local photographer Barbara Sparks. All of the works are part of Curtis’ The North American Indian, a series commissioned by J.P. Morgan in 1906. The goal of the project was to photograph and document Native American life, as many believed that the cultures were vanishing and that their traditions would soon be lost forever. When Curtis completed the project, he had taken over 40,000 photographs of 80 tribes and made over 10,000 sound recordings. Read more>>

Sacred Spaces: Devotional Images travels to Orlando, Florida

Beginning Oct. 15, 2010 and running through Jan. 30, 2011, the Mennello Museum of American Art exhibits Sacred Spaces: Devotional Images with Photography by Alex Harris.

This exhibition originated at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center and premiered there Apr. 2008-Feb. 2009.

Sacred Spaces is a selection of 18th – 20th century devotional artworks including retablos (paintings on tin or wooden panels) and bultos (carvings in the round) from the FAC's nationally renowned Hispanic Collection that depict the faith of generations emerging in religious objects set in the background of everyday lives.

In this exhibition, examples of devotional objects from the Hispanic collection are shown alongside a series of color photographs by Alex Harris. In 1972, Harris made a rural Hispanic village high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains his home. For over twenty years, he documented the lives and culture of this Hispanic community. The vibrantly painted homes of village elders and the elaborately decked and customized low-rider cars of the younger generation reflect a tradition of self-expression that unites the material with the spiritual by endowing everyday objects with love, beauty, and blessed meaning.

Progressive Photography Demo: Still Life or Free Portraiture

Nov. 16 | 5-8 p.m. in the Glass Corridor during Public Free Day
FREE

In this demonstration, Bemis Instructor Brad Flora uses his flash and an extended exposure to add depth visually to the contextual metaphor of the photograph with ambient light streaking directed by subconscious movements.

Disclaimer: These light streaking techniques are being performed by a trained professional. Know that if you ever try them for yourself you will be exposing your camera to a risk of being dropped, broken, or scratched on the lens. If you ever do choose to try any of these techniques, know that you do so at your own risk!

Learn more about Light Streaking, Contextual Metaphors, and Risk vs. Ego at Brad's next class:

Zen and the Photographers Ego
D22 Wed 6-wks 1/26-3/2 6:30-8:30pm

Happy Veteran's Day! Bemis School of Art is closed to observe the holiday

["Soldier in Pain" Acrylic on Canvas from Expose Your Art]

Bemis is closed today in honor of Veteran's Day. We salute the brave people who have served our country, like Ft. Carson soldier Isaac Torres. Torres is part of the Military Creative Expressions art therapy program at Bemis School of Art in partnership with Aspen Pointe. He shared his experience with us one afternoon before art class.

Torres's new cafe opens soon in Old Colorado City. Visit the cafe's website atExposeYourArt.com

About the Military Creative Expressions program:

It's free and runs for fifteen weeks. Participants can come and go as they please or can continue to take classes for as long as they choose. Soldiers interested in joining the program can start at any time by calling art therapist Kim Nguyen at (719) 572-6450. The program takes place at the Bemis School of Art at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center every Tuesday from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Ms. Nguyen also says you can, "Just show up."

Today at the FAC: Colorado Springs becomes the first western event site for Weddings for Warriors!

Today we congratulate all the military couples who are taking part in Weddings for Warriors 2010!

In 2009, the Savannah Wedding Tourism Council, Inc. created Weddings for Warriors (WFW) as a way of saying a heartfelt “Thank You” to active duty military personnel in the Savannah and Lowcountry area from every branch of the service, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserve Units. The event provided free wedding ceremonies and vow renewals to active US Military personnel on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2009.

This year, Weddings for Warriors expanded to three events--two in Georgia and one in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This event is being sponsored by Garden of the Gods Trading Post in Colorado Springs and is headed up by their event coordinator, Marty Gagg. The FAC will be the site of two weddings today through Weddings for Warriors West.

[Updated] Friday Jazz in Deco Lounge starts this week!

7-10 p.m. | Deco Lounge in the FAC's historic west end

No Cover
New tapas menu by Amuzé at the FAC

Enjoy Paul Anderson & Band playing live jazz in the Deco lounge -- FREE -- this Friday and next. Help us celebrate the Chef William Sherman's new tapas menu and happy hour specials on Bristol Beer, select wines, and mixed drinks!

Free Family Adventure Day is this Saturday, Nov. 13 featuring Art for Autumn!

Treasure a day with your family, enjoying artist demonstrations and hands-on art projects led by Bemis School of Art instructors. Create your own works of art during this day of discovery, using current FAC exhibitions as inspiration. All ages welcome!

Nov. 13, 2010 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Autumn | FREE

• Capture and Create Autumn Leaves
• Paint a Scenic Fall Landscape
• Craft Vibrant “Glass” Monoprints

Next Family Adventure Day:
Dec. 4 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Holidays

This program sponsored in part by
and the Anna Keesling Ackerman Fund

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Director Cam: Rehearsals & Kids Choir!

Cory Moosman turns to the Director Cam to discuss his directorial strategy for rehearsals of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Footage of the chorus rehearsing "Close Every Door to Me" featuring the Kids Choir starts at 2:22!

Celebrate Veteran's Day at the FAC!

As a reminder for all retired and active duty military and their families, the FAC offers 15% off for gallery admission year round.

Why not take advantage of that discount this Veteran’s Day Weekend and see Earl Biss: Between Sky, Earth and Water, Gib Singleton: Religious Works, Allen True's West (which opens Nov. 11 at 5 p.m.) and the fabulous FAC permanent collection. Military ID required.

Additionally, the FAC offers $15 off individual and family memberships for active duty military personnel throughout the year. FAC members receive free admission to the museum, discounts on theatre tickets, art classes, special events, and more.

$30 Military Individual* (regularly $45)
Basic membership benefits for one active duty military adult or spouse

$45 Military Household* (regularly $60)
Basic membership benefits for one active duty military household, including two adults and children under age 17
*Requires proof of ID

Allen True's West Opening Celebration

Thurs., Nov. 11 | 5-7 p.m.

One of Colorado Springs own, born just a stone’s throw from the Fine Arts Center, Allen True’s illustrations and paintings were as ambitious as the West itself. Allen True’s West is a regionally touring exhibition organized by the Denver Art Museum consisting of 42 works ranging from original oil paintings to periodical reproductions. The Fine Arts Center will supplement its exhibition with additional works borrowed from local collectors.

Admission:
$5 for FAC Members | $15 for non-members.

Featuring a lecture/book signing at 7 p.m. by Allen True’s granddaughter Victoria Tupper Kirby, co-author of Allen Tupper True: An American Artist and with live music from Redraw the Farm

Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival kicks off at the Fine Arts Center

Fri. Nov. 5- Sun. Nov. 7

The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with a Festival Gala and two films at the Fine Arts Center.

Friday Night Gala and Full Festival Passes are sold out, but Saturday, Sunday and Weekender passes are still available.

8:30 a.m. Saturday: Films at three venues:

1. Here at the FAC at 30 W Dale St
2. Armstrong Theater at Colorado College, 14 E Cache La Poudre St.
3. South Theater in the Cornerstone Arts Center, 825 N. Cascade Ave. across the street from both the FAC (to the west) and Armstrong hall (to the north).

9 a.m. Sunday: Films shown at Armstrong Theater and Cornerstone Arts Center.

Tickets: $50 Gala (SOLD OUT)

$35 Saturday pass; $35 Sunday pass; $65 for Saturday and Sunday; $100 full festival pass. You can pick up your passes at Armstrong Hall or Cornerstone Center for the Arts.

Visit rmwfilmfest.org for more information.

Bring a Turkey to Work Day: FAC staff give the gift of gobble this Thanksgiving

Courtesy of http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

Once again, Bemis and The Fine Arts Center will be collecting turkeys for Bring a Turkey to work day for Care and Share.

When to bring in a turkey: Friday November 12, at Bemis by 3 p.m.

Carol and Tara will take them to the drop off location at the Wal-Mart on 8^th street.

Need turkey hunting ideas? You can go by King Soopers or Safeway to get a small turkey for only $5, depending on how much you want to spend. If you have any questions, contact Carol at the Bemis School of Art at 719.477.4348.

John Wayne keeps riding in "Seductive Subversion: Women Pop Artists 1958-1968"

[Above: Marisol "John Wayne" 1963 Wood, Mixed media 104 x 96 x 15 inches Collection of Colorado Springs Fine Art Center, Julianne Kemper Gilliam Purchase Fund and the Debutante Ball Purchase Fund]

Some pop culture icons never die. "John Wayne" made yet another appearance at the Brooklyn Museum in Oct. 15, and will be there through Jan. 9. Sculpted by Venezuelan-born American artist Marisol Escobar, "John Wayne" was commissioned by Life Magazine in 1963 to illustrate an article on the movies, though Marisol applied her own distinctive perspective to the cinematic legend.

The sculpture is part of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center's permanent collection, and is on loan as part of the traveling exhibition "Seductive Subversion: Women Pop Artists 1958-1968." Sid Sachs of the Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery at University of the Arts in Philadelphia curated the show.

Saul Ostrow's article titled "Reconfiguring Pop" for Art in America International Review notes that the exhibition is billed as "the first-ever all-woman survey of Pop art." Ostrow goes on to note:

"Seductive Subversion" includes not only underknown Pop artists but also artists who are not typically identified with the movement. Marisol and Niki de Saint Phalle, both well known and associated with mainstream Pop, are present, but so is the Greek-born artist Chryssa, who is now fairly obscure but had a solo exhibition at the Guggenheim in 1961, when she was in her late 20s.
...

Marisol likewise incorporated elements of craft, though of the folk art variety. Her wooden sculpture John Wayne (1962-63) shows the cowboy star, gun drawn, astride a horse going at cartoonish full gallop (all four legs extending out from its body). Given its strong horizontal and vertical axes and pronounced silhouette, it is reminiscent of a whirligig or weathervane.

The latest stop for "Seductive Subversion: Women Pop Artists 1958 - 1968" is at the Brooklyn Museum, where FAC exhibit preparator Aaron Jakos traveled to install the sculpture. This project, along with a documentary film by Glenn Holsten, has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage through the Philadelphia Exhibitions Initiative, with additional support from the Marketing Innovation Program.

"John Wayne" will continue to ride across the country until Apr. 3, 2010, to return to the FAC in time for the 75th anniversary celebration.

[Above: Film still from Glenn Holsten's documentary film featuring FAC Exhibit Preparator, Aaron Jakos assembling "John Wayne." Lincoln, Nebraska 2010]

Traveling Schedule:

Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery
University of the Arts
Philadelphia
January 22-March 15, 2010

Sheldon Museum of Art
Lincoln, Nebraska
July 30-September 26

Brooklyn Museum
October 15-January 9

Tufts University Art Gallery
Medford, Mass
January 20-April 3

Give! 2010 Rewards

Give! 2010 is off to a strong start! This year, we're again offering exciting prizes for people who contribute to the Give! 2010 campaign. What is "Give! 2010"? Just one of the coolest ways to support organizations in your community. All donors who give $25 or more get great rewards, plus the satisfaction of providing real support. In the Indy's words: Live here. Give here.

Read on for rewards details!

Donors who contribute $25 or more:

A Paraffin Hand Treatment and Make up application from VEDA Salon & Spa A $5 Gift Card to the ReStore A pint of beer from Bristol Brewing Company One Free Drink Coupon for the Deco Lounge at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center from the FAC Theatre Company

An Allergen-free Bag of Baked Goods from the Sugar Stop A Cupcake for you and a friend from Couture Cupcakes One (1) specialty Give! Martini from Maggie's Pub A Special Korean Entrée ($10 gift card) from Shin Sa Dong Korean Restaurant One (1) gallery admission to the FAC Art Gallery A bicycle repair kit from Old Town Bike Shop

For donors who contribute $125 or more (plus all of the above!):

Your choice of two tickets to either of the following events that will take place during January or February, 2011: A cocktail & appetizers at the Cliff House coupled with a presentation by Colorado Poet Laureate Dave Mason Continental Breakfast at the Broadmoor with Baseball Hall of Famer Goose Gossage A fitness training session with former Denver Bronco Justin Armour A Haircut with Pure Talent from VEDA Salon & Spa A six-pack from Bristol Brewing Company A pound of natural hamburger from Ranch Foods Direct Punch pass for a 5 of Nosh's best sellers on 5 different visits. One (1) 2 hour Play Pass from Mr. Biggs Family Fun Center A Comcast Video OnDemand coupon for one movie ($4.99 value) A $10 Gift Card from Black Cat Books

2 tickets to a selection of Colorado Springs Philharmonic performance One ticket to a production in the Fine Arts Center Theatre Company's 2010/2011 Season. "Don't trust anyone under 14,000 FEET" T-shirt from Mountain Chalet 6-month home delivery of the Independent every Thursday and the Denver Post every Sunday (offer only good in El Paso and Teller Counties) A $15 New Years or Mardi Gras party pack from Zeezo's A relaxing Tea Three experience from the Paul Mitchell School A GIVE! Gourmet Pleasures pack: Smoked Black Pepper & Turkish Olive Oil from Extraordinary Ingredients 1 ticket to a Premiere Series Performance of the Manitou Art Theatre New 4th Edition of The Beer Drinker's Guide to Colorado. Includes Coupons for Free Beer and great deals at over 30 locations statewide.

For donors who contribute $500 or more (plus all of the above!):

A Serenity Hour from VEDA Salon & Spa A private at home beer tasting from Bristol Brewing Company for a party up to 40 people. A Sapphire #2 Getaway Package, which includes One Night Stay in a Standard Room for Two, Dinner for two in Lombard's Restaurant, Luscious Chocolates and Champagne from the Double Eagle casino 'The Experience' for 2 at Nosh - 5 dishes chosen by the chef Two Free Drinks at the Deco lounge and One ticket to a production in the Fine Arts Center Theatre Company's 2010/2011 Season.

One All-Day Play Pass from Mr. Biggs Family Fun Center A PMShines color application from the Paul Mitchell School One additional ticket to a Premiere Series Performance of the Manitou Art Theatre A Free Three-Month Membership to the FAC Art Gallery A VIP tour of the Olympic Training Center and lunch with the Olympic athletes-in-residence from the USOC

For donors who contribute $1,000 or more (plus all of the above!):

A Figure Skating clinic on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at Honnen Ice Arena from 11:30am-1pm with U.S. Figure Skating on the Colorado College campus, plus great souvenirs from U.S. Figure Skating and autographs from Team USA athletes. Your choice of two additional tickets to either of the following events that will take place during January or February 2011: A cocktail & appetizers at the Cliff House coupled with a presentation by Colorado Poet Laureate Dave Mason Continental Breakfast at the Broadmoor with Baseball Hall of Famer Goose Gossage a haircut with Pure Talent from VEDA Salon & Spa a Diamond #2 Getaway Package, which includes One Night Stay in one of our Exclusive Presidential Suites, Dinner for two in Lombard's Restaurant, Luscious Chocolates, and Champagne (Good Sun-Thurs) from the Double Eagle casino Private wine tasting in the Blue Star wine cellar for a party up to 8 people		$500 off tuition to attend the Paul Mitchell School One additional ticket to a Premiere Series Performance of the Manitou Art Theatre A Free Family Membership to the FAC Art Gallery A ticket for an additional fitness training session with former Denver Bronco Justin Armour Four additional tickets to a Colorado Springs Philharmonic performance, plus a private backstage tour. One Eat, Play and Smile Pass from Mr. Biggs Family Fun Center A choice of one complimentary tuition for the Youth Rep or Theatre Journeys or Music Box Theatre classes with the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center Theatre Company One 22oz. bomber of Venetucci Pumpkin Ale from Bristol Brewing Company Two complimentary drinks at the Broadmoor's Golden Bee