Thursday, May 3, 2012
Steamboat Springs — Editor's note: The name of the advanced photography class has been corrected below.
When Steamboat Springs High School junior Erina Alkema hangs her works of photographic art at the City Cafe on Friday, she’ll be able to put her name right next to her work, which is rightfully and legally hers.
However, Alkema always has wanted to work in the fashion industry, where wearable art cannot be copyrighted.
“You can be in your art, but you can’t claim it as your own,” she explained Wednesday as she mounted her photos in a hallway at the high school. “So I feel that we can’t come up with anything new; it’s just the cycling of eras, and we can’t break out of it.”
Alkema chose to explore that concept through digital photography, expressing her frustration in her advanced photography class’s final project, which will be on display this month at City Cafe in downtown Steamboat Springs.
Ten students will be displaying their final projects throughout May, with an opening reception Friday night during First Friday Artwalk.
Alkema chose to express her artistic musings in the form of headless figures entrapped in frames, wearing high fashion and set against a digitally altered background of words and symbols.
Other students worked in mediums ranging from black and white film photography to digitally enhanced and altered pieces of abstract work.
The students weren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, either: The team of John Vande Velde and Kai Rogers used bright colors to express emotions by throwing the paint onto their cooperative models.
Photography teacher Morgan Peterson said the class’s 10 students stood out with their conceptual approaches to their final projects.
“They all had a very strong concept,” Peterson said. “And that ability to think critically is something you can’t really teach.
“They really learned a lot about the process and overcoming obstacles. It was a realistic push in the artistic process.”
Artwalk listings
❱❱ Artists’ Gallery of Steamboat
The Artists’ Gallery presents “FACES.” Gallery artists show their interpretation of faces in different ways and mediums. Small Works Room: Mary Levingston’s watercolor class student art show. 1009 Lincoln Ave. 970-879-4744.
❱❱ artWorks
Learn more about Steamboat’s wood workers, iron workers, fabric artists, ceramicists, faux and real painters and concrete workers. www.steamboatartworks.com. The Victoria Building, 941 Lincoln Ave. 970-879-7596.
❱❱ City Cafe
Steamboat Springs High School advanced photography students will show a series of photographs from their portfolios. 124 10th St. 970-871-1406.
❱❱ Comb Goddess
The Stingray class of Heritage Park Preschool is displaying its artwork through May at Comb Goddess. 1104 S. Lincoln Ave., Suite 102. 970-871-0606.
Water media paintings by Deb Proper featuring landscapes that express the beauty of Northwest Colorado. The artist approaches each piece as a grand puzzle, interpreting the shapes, elements and colors of our gorgeous surroundings into a celebration of joy. 509 Lincoln Ave. 970-875-2917.
MB Warner: “I love to paint. Whether it be landscape, chairs or marbles, it’s all about the physical and joyful process of painting. The pure excitement when everything is working visually. Please, enjoy the show.” 131 11th St. 970-879-4925.
Upstairs: Featuring Steamboat artist Maggie Smith’s monotypes and woodcuts and Seattle artist Barbara Solomon’s monotypes and intaglio. Downstairs: Featuring Denver artist Andre Lippard’s oil paintings. 911 Lincoln Ave. 970-879-1919.
❱❱ Mangelsen — Images of Nature
Thomas D. Mangelsen was named Conservation Photographer of the Year. His work is featured on the walls of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. www.mangelsen.com. 730 Lincoln Ave. 970-871-1822.
❱❱ Off the Beaten Path Bookstore
Local artists are displaying their submissions of Green Squad Environmental Superheroes made from recycled materials. Proceeds benefit the BookTrails tuition assistance fund. BookTrails is a new partner organization that promotes reading and writing through outdoor exploration. 68 Ninth St. 970-879-6830.
Local art by nature photographer Don Tudor, Raku stoneware and porcelain by Brown Cannon. 601 Lincoln Ave. 970-879-7143.
❱❱ Steamboat Springs Center for Visual Arts
View new artwork from 35 local artist members. Paintings, photography, mixed media and sculpture. Complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres. www.steamboatartcenter.com. 906 Lincoln Ave. 970-846-5970.
Photographer Casey Barnett captures his life. In the crowds of a professional soccer game or the loneliness of a mountaintop, his images are a representation of the life he leads and his willingness to bring you with him. 635 South Lincoln Ave. 970-879-3393.
❱❱ Urbane
Fine art applications by Andre Lippard. Andre was born and raised in Denver and received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. 703 Lincoln Ave., Suite B101. 970-879-9169.
Wild Horse Gallery features the oil paintings of Lee Stroncek. www.wildhorsegallery.com. 802 Lincoln Ave. 970-879-5515.
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