Walking tour slated for June 5

Sopris Sun Staff Report

Beginning with a walking tour with participating artists on June 5 at 5:30 p.m., the Carbondale Public Arts Commission presents the 2014 Art aRound Town sculpture exhibition.

Featuring works by 13 artists from five states, Art aRound Town is a rotating, year-long public art exhibition showcasing sculptures throughout the town of Carbondale, according to a press release.

This year, 60 artists from16 states submitted sculpture-based works for consideration. The sculptures within the exhibition include both representational and abstract works chosen by a jury made up of volunteer CPAC board members and town officials.

The Art aRound Town exhibition’s artists are: Fedrico Aguirre (North Las Vegas, Nevada), James Burnes (Santa Fe, New Mexico), Steven Carmer (Fort Collins, Colorado), Mark Cesark (Carbondale, Colorado), Chris Erickson (Glenwood Springs, Colorado), Michael Golins (Missoula, Montana), Siri Hollander (Santa Fe, New Mexico), Jack Kreutzer (Loveland, Colorado), Pavia Justinian (Fruita, Colorado), Gary Mitchell (St Louis, Missouri), Mike Rand (Carbondale, Colorado), Kevin W. Shaffer (Evergreen, Colorado) and Ryan Shea (Denver, Colorado).

“This year’s Art aRound Town represents the diversity and high quality of work that all have grown to expect from this show,” said CPAC Co-Chair Brad Sherman. “We received entries from so many talented sculptors around the U.S. that the decisions made by the show’s jury were difficult ones. We are very excited to present the exhibition … and we continue to be thankful for both the quantity and quality of submissions received. CPAC is also very grateful for the continuing support we receive from the town of Carbondale for the Art aRound Town exhibition.”

Biographies

• Fedrico Aguirre: With a 31-year career in engineering, Aguirre’s mechanical background influences his dynamic copper, bronze and steel sculptures, which depict enduring mystical symbols he creates to, as he puts it, “encourage the viewer to embrace a tranquil state of inner peace.” His sculptures may be seen in public venues in Boulder City, Nevada, and Salina, Kansas, as well as in numerous private collections.

• James Burnes: Over the past 14 years, Burnes has been shown in numerous public art exhibitions across the U.S. His work can be found in many public and permanent collections including Park City, Utah and Newburyport, Massachusetts.

• Steven Carmer: Over the years, Carmer’s work has evolved gradually from the representational to the abstract. He has commissioned pieces in Nebraska, Texas, Colorado, Oregon and Maryland.

• Mark Cesark: Born in Summit, New Jersey, Cesark earned his BFA from Alfred University and a MFA from Massachusetts College of Art. He has exhibited across the nation; his work found in permanent public collections including Red Rocks Community College, Denver; DeCordova Museum, Lincoln, Massachusetts; and the Ross Foundation, East Hampton, New York.

• Chris Erickson: An installation artist working at SAW (Studio for Arts + Works) in Carbondale, his artwork takes a critical look at cultural, social and political issues. Much of his imagery derives from early skateboard graphics and is fueled by 1980’s punk rock music.

• Michael Golins: His life journey has included working for Colorado Outward Bound School. With no musical background, he enrolled in the University of Montana music school, where he earned a reputation as one of the school’s leading composers and teachers.

• Siri Hollander: Born in 1959 in New York City, Siri Hollander moved to Andalusia, Spain, in 1962. She credits her artistic ability to her parents — from her father, a painter, and her mother, a published writer and poet.

• Pavia Justinian: Her studio is located in the Redlands area of Grand Junction. She has been creating art since she could grasp a pencil, and it has always been her primary means of both expressing and defining herself.

• Jack Kreutzer: Recently Kreutzer, along with Doug Erion and Doug Rutledge, were selected to install a large sculpture titled “Equinox” at the intersection of Interstate 25 and Colorado Highway 34, to be installed late this summer.

• Gary Mitchell: He learned an aluminum sheet-metal technique from the aerospace industry and is inspired by the notion that the great American statue needs to be made again.

• Mike Rand: His work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally. “One also needs to venture beyond the safety of boundaries to see what is really possible within a medium. It’s an uncertain endeavor, which calls up the idea that opposite ends of the spectrum of fantasy/reality can exist at a single time within the piece.”

• Kevin W. Shaffer: Born and raised in a Mid-Western landscape, the ever-present prairie inspired him to study architecture, land planning, landscape architecture, horticulture and sculpture. His work seeks a minimalist approach.

• Ryan Shea: A self-taught artist who works predominantly in the medium of metal and mixed media sculpture, Shea is a displaying artist at the Denver Art Society and the Santa Fe street art district.