Editor’s note: A percentage of the proceeds from the Biennial Four Rivers art show will go to The Sopris Sun.
This is a call to artists to submit their pieces to be included in the Four Rivers Biennial art show in February at the Aspen Chapel Gallery (ACG).
The Sopris Sun and el Sol del Valle are proud to partner with ACG for its 2024 Four Rivers Biennial.
It’s the fourth iteration of the exhibit, which highlights local artists whose works the community may not yet be familiar with.
ACG has been around for just about as long as the Aspen Chapel itself, which was constructed and dedicated in the ‘60s. The chapel was built by a Mennonite bishop from Denver, and was intended ever since as a gathering place not only for Christians, but other religious sects as well. For instance, the Aspen Jewish Congregation has carried out its services there for years.
“When the Chapel was dedicated, the arts were included,” ACG Director Tom Ward told The Sopris Sun.
So, the eventual formation of ACG aligned with the Chapel’s original mission. Initially, Ward was hired as the director of the Chapel in the early ‘80s. He came with a predisposed love for the arts, having previously operated the “Gargoyle” — a commercial gallery in Aspen.
Connie Madsen, who had typically coordinated an annual show at the Aspen Art Museum, was left without that option one year. So, she suggested exhibiting a show in the basement of the Chapel instead. As it turned out, it was meant to be.
The first show, a watercolor exhibit, opened in the basement in June of 1985.
The rest, as they say, is history.
After nearly four decades, ACG continues to operate under the nonprofit umbrella of the Chapel.
This year, for the Four Rivers Biennial, “What we’re trying to do is reach further downvalley,” explained Michael Bonds with ACG, “introduce new artists who haven’t had a lot of opportunities [and] introduce them to the community and to our curators.”
While the entry fee is relatively modest, ACG still offers a scholarship program so artists are not hindered by finances. It takes about $8,000 for ACG to put on any given show. The gallery partners with a local nonprofit for every Four Rivers Biennial, which is given a percentage of the proceeds.
Lissa Ballinger and Andrew Travers are the volunteer judges for the upcoming exhibit, and will determine who receives the $1,000 Judges’ Award. Attendees at the exhibit get to vote for the People’s Choice Award, which comes with a $250 cash prize.
All artistic mediums are welcomed, with some size constraints (it needs to fit in the space) and nudes and profanity are not allowed. It is, after all, in the basement of a chapel.
“This show is totally wide open,” stated Bonds, noting that typically ACG’s curators seek out featured artists. Artists “can submit whatever they would like; whatever they’ve produced in the last three years.”
Anyone residing as far as Grand Junction, and anywhere along the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers from there, can apply to be included in the show. However, the primary focus is from western Garfield County to Aspen.There’s a desire to include more Latino artists’ pieces in the biennial exhibit. That’s partly why the ACG folks reached out to The Sopris Sun and el Sol del Valle, to get a call out to artists in both languages.
“We haven’t had a lot of reach into that community,” said Bonds, “so maybe this will open up some doors for us to be able to do that.”
The deadline to submit a proposed piece is Jan. 19. Entry forms can be found at www.aspenchapelgallery.org, in-person at the chapel during business hours or by emailing Bonds at studiomb628@gmail.com The opening reception is on Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 4 to 7pm.