The MIX Artist Co-op within Niza Knoll Gallery at 915 Santa Fe Drive, is a treasure of artworks ranging from charming sculptural works to delightful encaustics and prints to colorful abstract paintings. Each year the MIX hosts a popular exhibit in the full gallery space showcasing work by the eight talented member Artists: Rachel Bayse, Nancy Enyart, Victoria Eubanks, Mark Friday, Jennifer Ghormley, Pat Lickly, Aliki McCain, and Paula Romero Schmitt.
The public is invited to view and purchase work during regular gallery hours from April 20 - June 2, 2018 and at the Opening Reception on April 20 from 5-8 pm.
Rachel Basye began her artwork in the 1990s with black and white photography and then moved to alternative photographic techniques such as cyanotype — including printing on fabric — ultimately, expanding her media to printmaking, book arts, and mixed media. All of her work has some connection to paper and paper arts. This current series relates to the anthropology of food and how it reflects culture, socio-economic history, and memory.
Victoria Eubanks is continually fascinated by connections — that interweaving of stuff like highways, songs, memories, electronic bits, history, artifacts, words, friends, family, etc. All the physical and emotional threads we share are a constant source of wonderment for her. As you read this, we are now connected. Amazing! Her art explores these connections — surface patterns over lush backgrounds, colorful lines tracing a strong path, imperfect mark making, shapes barely visible beneath the surface. All making connections of their own.
The various stages in the creation of a ceramic sculpture, from pliable clay, through multiple firings, to cold finishing, allow Nancy Enyart the opportunity to gradually work toward a completed representation of her vision. In this current series she has created a group of unique individuals — definitely related, but also obviously separate — each wrapped in their own set of beliefs and not reaching out to explore beyond those personal beliefs.
As an assemblage artist using found materials, Mark Friday feels like an alchemist. He starts out with common, broken, and discarded elements and transforms them into new and special configurations.
Jennifer Ghormley’s work is an evocative abstraction of flesh, movement, and color. Photographic imagery is digitally printed on layers of sheer fabrics, then cut and stitched together. This technique deconstructs then reshapes the imagery, abstracting the photograph in the process, dissolving the imagery into suggestive form and soft color.
As an avid mover of earth in the garden, small wonder that the tactile feel of clay between my fingers drew Pat Lickly into hand-built, decorative ceramics. More recently she transitioned into mixed media, blending painting with other art forms. She often imbues graphic symbolism from distant cultures into her art work which lends a sense of ethnic identity. Found objects like coins, beads, stone, and metal add an earthy, real world authenticity. From her signature ethnic robes and ceramic tiles to her newer sculpted figures and acrylic paintings, people tell her often that the pieces communicate a reflective or spiritual feeling.
For artist Aliki McCain, the artistic process is the main concept that currently challenges her and pushes her forward. Being in the moment of creating art is her main focus and she tries to solve the creative challenges that arise organically from the canvas. This body of work allows her the freedom to interact with the surface and create beautiful landscapes that speak to her around the struggles of the human condition. The process allows her the freedom to find peace and balance while walking amongst the daily challenges of these complicated times.
Paula Romero Schmitt is inspired by nature and architecture and loves working with porcelain clay. Birds, barns, buildings, and waves encompass most of her work. She tries to give each of her creatures and buildings personality using form, color, and texture. Paula’s work is generally happy, perky, nurturing, and reflective of her response to her environment. Each sculpture is hand built.
In 2009, Niza Knoll Gallery opened in the Art District on Santa Fe and is entering its ninth year at 915 Santa Fe drive. The gallery specializes in intriguing conceptual exhibits and hosts First and Third Friday events, monthly salons, private concerts, and guest speakers. Past exhibits have included unusual artist pairings, outsider art, collaborative work, and thought-provoking thematic exhibits of artists using non-traditional media.
Through a partnership with Kingman Winery, the space serves a tasting room for their fine Colorado wines and is proud to offer their wine for sale during art walks and other special events.
Visit www.nizaknollgallery.com for more information.