BILL ELIZEY

Photography, $1,600
Bear Creek Aerial, Image Size, 21” H x 20” W
Framing Donated by Telluride Gallery of Fine Art

In 1965 Bill Ellzey picked up a camera little knowing that photography would become his profession. His photography has taken him a long way from the western images that were his first love: from Australia to Egypt, from India to China, from the Rockies in mid-winter to the jungles of Central America in mid-summer. Along the way, Bill's commitment to photography as a full time working pro has led him to explore widely diverse worlds of photography — fine art black and white, portraiture (classic and outdoor), sports action (rodeo to skiing), commercial, industrial, advertising, aerial photography, editorial assignments and stock. Bill lives and works in hi self-built straw bale home in Crestone, Colorado.

ROBERT SANDIDGE

Oil Painting, $1,600
“Court House,16” H x 8 ”W

A recipient of many awards, Robert Sandidge has studied with master painters all over the United States for the past 25 years. As his work evolved, he found he prefers painting out of doors, Plein Air, almost entirely in Alla Prima style, requiring concentration, focus and frequent location changes to find intriguing subjects. The results are well worth the effort: paintings with fresh, vibrant color, subtle contrasts in natural light, and a strong sense of place.

GOEDELE VANHILLE

Clay, $1,500
Beginning, Size 16” H x 12.5 ” W x 11” D
Sponsor by Bone Construction

Goedele Vanhille was born and raised in Belgium, where she went to Art School and specialized in Ceramics. She first came to the US in 1983, to study with Dennis Parks in Tuscarora, NV, after reading his book “A Potters Guide to Raw Glazing and Oil Firing”. During a return visit to Tuscarora in 1989 she met and later married Telluride potter John Fahnestock. In 1990 she studied with Paul Soldner in his “special student” program in Claremont, CA. Goedele, John, kids and studio moved to Norwood, CO, via Telluride, Tuscarora and the San Fransisco Bay Area, in 1995, where they have since opened a gallery “Yank & Flanders.” Lately, Goedele has been experimenting heavily with electric fired oxidized glazes at a variety of temperatures. Goedele’s work is inspired by the little things in life. It is sometimes anthropomorphic, sometimes whimsical or poetic. Her pieces hover between pot and sculpture, wink at functionality, fuse form, texture and essence. Over the years she has been included in a number of national and international shows. In May 2008 she won “Best of Show” in the national “Contemporary Clay Biennial 2008 Juried/Invited Exhibit” at the Art Center in Grand Junction, CO. She is locally represented at the Telluride Gallery of Fine Art.

ANJALI SAWANT

Mixed Media, $4,200
Iconography 3, 45 ” H x 26 ” W
Sponsor by: Josephine & Erik Fallenius

Anjali Sawant received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from California College of the Arts. Her work has been exhibited by galleries in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Telluride. She has worked as an illustrator, cartoonist, and graphic designer. Anjali's most recent work includes illustrations for "Mountain Star" written by Ginny Fowler Hicks, and graphic design for the films "Lost People of Mountain Village" and "Schooling the World" by Carol Black and Neal Marlens.

My painting is an exploration of  ancient Indian motifs emerging into a contemporary aesthetic. As we move into the new millenium, India is currently positioned as one of the fastest developing nations experiencing prosperity from global communication and technology. Many Indians have embraced the changes this modern prosperity brings, however, as these changes happen what will be the impact on traditional life?  From the business woman praying at the temple during her lunch break, to the village mango vendor animatedly talking on his cellular phone, to the opulent Ferrari inching its way around the bullock cart; all aspects of modern life are influenced by family, religion, tradition, and culture.

MATT DOWNER

Furniture, $6,500
Mirror Box, 42” W x 43” H x 11” D
Sponsor by Bill Fandel

Matt Downer moved to Telluride from California in the summer of 93'.  He decided to finally give in to his lifelong need of building things while working with the Steeprock Builders crew in the late 90's. The dream of his own workspace came true after building his home and woodshop in Rico in 2004. In recent years his work has evolved toward more subtle use of curves, exposed joinery, and forms evocative of Japanese architecture.

The "Mirror Box" was designed to serve many purposes. Its central feature is both a drawer to discretely enclose valuables and the clutter that tends to accumulate around us as well as a shelf for pictures, candles, etc.  The hooks and mirror give this piece greater functionality in a bedroom, bathroom, or changing room, but its ideal location may be an entry foyer.  It is both an expression of detailed craftsmanship and art as well as an extremely functional piece of furniture to be used by the entire family every day.

NICOLE FINGER

Oil Painting, $6,000
“Celebration, 62” H x 42” W
Sponsor by Studio Frank 

“We all have the capacity and universal appeal of seeing things with a magical sense of childlike wonder, enthusiasm and wit. I strive to capture and celebrate this in my work. Whether it be in a children’s illustration, mural or a fine art painting; my subject matter have a tendency to take on their own energy and persona. I can only hope to convey their passion, beauty and or humor to the eyes of children and for those of us who are slightly older!”
 
Nicole Finger grew up in Bethesda, Maryland and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts at University of Colorado in Boulder. Her work is featured at various galleries throughout Colorado and Southern California. She currently lives in Telluride with her husband and two children, whom are a constant inspiration for magical thinking, beauty and humor. She is represented locally by Lucas Gallery.

ANDREW MARTIN

Blown Glass, $1,200
“Optical Cylinder,” 15” H x 4.5” W x 12.5” D
Sponsor by Shawna Hartley

Andy Martin recently graduated from the Appalachian Center for Crafts in Smithville, Tennessee. He has been blowing glass for six years and has studied with many different teachers. Andy believes that the best way to grow as a young artist is to surround ones self with other artists. He will continue his involvement with glass this summer as staff at Pilchuck Glass School in Washington state were he has studied for three years as a student.
This piece, Optic Cylinder was inspired by the layers of earth fading away into the sky. The molten glass is gathered out of a 2100-degree furnace. The layers of color were added with powdered glass and stripes of colored glass, which seem to be floating inside clear glass. Glassblowing is a very teamwork oriented process. The glassblower must rely on their assistant to reheat the glass and to keep the blowpipe turning while the piece is being shaped.

ROB SCHULTHEIS

Mixed Media, $2,400
“The Sybil, 26” H x 22” W
Sponsor by Tommy Hein Architects

Rob Schultheis has lived in Telluride since 1973. His acrylics, watercolors and gouaches are carried in collections in Germany, Washington, DC and Santa Fe. He draws inspiration from the 1930s German Expressionists, Islamic art and his experiences as a journalist and aid worker in Afghanistan. He is also the author of several books including
Inside Wartime Afghanistan and Waging Peace: A Special Operations Team's Battle to Rebuild Iraq and his most recent book Hunting Bin Ladin.  He has also written articles that have appeared in Time, The New York Times Magazine, Smithsonian and The Washington Post.

TIM O'BRIEN

Mixed Media, $1,800
West Meadow, trees don’t bury their dead. Winter does, then not and then...,
24” H x 48” W
Sponsor by: Wells Fargo

Tim O’Brien got taller in what used to be Littleton, Colorado, now it's called Columbine. Back then, there was nothing west of Wadsworth except coyotes, elk, deer, Big Horn Sheep, tourists that hoped to move to Colorado, hippie chicks and their boyfriends, drug dealers, skiers, fish and their boyfriends, flowers, bugs, snakes, cowboys and...

Tim moved to Durango in 1980, attended Fort Lewis College for a few years, then Breckenridge. He took some art classes at Colorado Mountain College, then Boulder to finish a BFA in Studio Arts at CU. Back to Breckenridge, Denver, Breckenridge, Durango, Breckenridge, Province town, MA, Breckenridge, Wellfleet, MA, Breckenridge, Alma, Vail, Dolores and now Ophir-God-Sakes! Aren’t you glad he didn’t say Breckenridge?

KENT HARRIS

Stoneware Clay with Wood Ash Glaze, $650
Fluted Storage Jar, 18” H x 22” W x 16” D

“Pots made with local materials and a clear purpose can achieve true beauty found most often in nature. The more pots I make, my commitment to local materials grows," says artist Kent Harris. "Local materials I use include a variety of clays and wood ashes. Blunging my clay body and preparing wood ash glazes are lengthy processes during which I become more aware of my self. Using clays and wood ash glazes allows me to create pots which reflect the natural beauty of their source, i.e. the earth and trees. To throw my pots I use a kick-wheel. The slow turning of the manual wheel leaves rhythmic lines in the clay, providing areas where the wood ash glaze will pool. Organic surface decorations achieved by texturing the leather hard clay create even more recesses for the wood ash to pool. I believe my pots are honest and full of spirit because of my materials and processes."

Kent Harris is a studio potter in Amarillo, TX. Kent studied ceramics with Elmer Taylor at the University of North Texas where his interest in functional pots and earthy glazes was fueled. Kent returned to the Texas Panhandle in 2002 to complete his B.F.A. degree in Ceramics and Glass and open a small studio. In his new spacious studio in Amarillo, TX, Kent has pursued his love of altered pottery, ash glazes, and natural gas firing. Kent is a full-time studio potter who owns Blue Sage Art Gallery with his wife Megan Easley.

WEEKEND IN DENVER

$1,750
        
This exciting weekend getaway will begin with a flight for two on Great Lakes Airlines to the beautiful mile-high city. Once you hit the ground, you will enjoy two nights lodging in an executive flat located within walking distance to dining, shopping, biking and fabulous cafes. Enjoy an event filled weekend where there are plenty of elegant restaurants, jazzy bars, and an abundance of culture and stimulation. Don’t forget to wear your sunglasses since the sun shines on this city three hundred days of the year. Blackout Dates Apply.

1991 VINTAGE JACK SHAW

Value: Priceless

An environmentally conscious way for getting around Telluride with your friends, this one-of-a-kind Jake Shaw is named for its creator, Jake Spaulding and is made from a former ski area chairlift and classic Elgin Huffman frame. You’ll be the envy of the whole town!