LoDo District Named One of Top 10 Neighborhoods for 2010

Translations Gallery is located in historic LoDo (Lower Downtown), one of the best neighborhoods in Denver. We were recently excited to learn that the American Planning Association (APA) just named LoDo District one of Top 10 Neighborhoods for 2010 under the Great Places in American program. APA recognized LoDo for its historic character, renovation of old warehouse buildings, support from current and former Denver mayors, and urban planning.

Translations Gallery moved to LoDo in 2009 for the neighborhood's historic nature, quality businesses including other art galleries, and top Denver restaurants. Gallery owner and LoDo District Inc. board member Judy Hagler comments, "We are excited to be part of this thriving neighborhood and will do whatever we can to continue to support the businesses and residents."

Read more about the APA's Great Places in America here.

Translations Gallery artist Jim Pittman has work in the Denver Art Museum

Translations Gallery's current exhibition of work by Jim Pittman and Mark Bowles is getting a lot of attention from both the press and the general public. Both artists create large scale, abstract, minimalist landscape paintings.

These too esteemed artists both have work in the permanent collection of the Denver Art Museum. While Bowles' piece, Intersection was recently acquired by the museum in 2009, Pittman's piece, Marble Canyon was accepted into the permanent collection in 2003. The museum stated "that the painting Marble Canyon was timeless and a perfect fit for them as it could be exhibited in either the contemporary or western collections" (from Denver Art Museum Press Release 12/03).

Translations Gallery is proud to display Jim Pittman and Mark Bowles together through the month of September. All work is for sale.

Image: Jim Pittman, Marble Canyon, acrylic on canvas, 54"w x 48"h

New Artist Cheryl Dietz Joins Translations Gallery

We are proud to announce that Cheryl Dietz is now a represented artist at Translations Gallery. In Cheryl Dietz’s work, orientation is not a rule. Her contemporary landscapes involve overlapping transparent images and multiple viewpoints. Invisible boundaries, transient exchanges, and the spaces in-between ordinary life intermingle with the textures of the Southwestern landscape and encroaching urban life. What is built, what grows, what is felt and what is imagined are all combined to express an environment of disruption and unpredictability. Dietz is interested in movements out of proportion, possibilities of unstable equilibrium and interpretations that are not to be found by simple observation. Cheryl is from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Translations Gallery currently has Cheryl's work on view. Her amazing 8ft x 8ft piece titled Midnight Burn will be on view for the month of October.

Image: Cheryl Dietz, Haughty Mangle, 36"w x 30"h, oil on canvas

We're a Best Bet in this Week's Denver Post

Denver Post Art Critic Kyle MacMillan chose our current exhibition, Mark Bowles and Jim Pittman as one of this week's Best Bets for Entertainment in Denver. Kyle noted that Mark Bowles is an emerging name in the Denver market. The Denver Art Museum recently accepted one of Bowles' pieces into their permanent collection.

Director of the Denver Art Museum's Petrie Institute for Western American Art, Thomas B. Smith states about Bowles' work, "Mark Bowles’ color fields celebrate the simplicity of the western landscape. He does not labor over specific locations but instead composes studio rendered impressions that have seared his consciousness and reflect the symbolic essence of place. His use of color and aesthetic nuances creates an intimate dialogue in which the viewer equally shares his delight for painting.”

Mark Bowles is showing alongside Boulder, Colorado artist Jim Pittman, who celebrates the Southwest landscape. While Mark Bowles is inspired by the plains, Jim Pittman is inspired by canyons, kivas, and other land forms that are present in the Southwest.

Images: (top) Mark Bowles, A Change of Seasons, 60"w x 48"h, acrylic on canvas
(bottom) Jim Pittman, Kiva, 60"w x 72"h, acrylic on canvas

See Rob Williams Aspens at Mateo Restaurant in Boulder, Colorado

Art by Colorado artist Rob Williams will be on display at Mateo Restaurant in Boulder, Colorado through mid November 2010. Mateo Restaurant features cuisine that is inspired by the Provence Region in Europe. The art on Mateo's walls is from the Aspens exhibition that was on view at Translations Gallery, a Denver art gallery, in July 2010. Several of Rob's floral pieces are also on display.

Mateo Restaurant's minimal and streamlined design are the perfect setting for Rob's work. The urban design also compliments the bold color palette and contemporary graphic quality of the pieces. (All artwork will be for sale while on view at Mateo Restaurant).

Image: Rob Williams, Suddenly I See, acrylic, ink and graphite on wood panel, 24"w x 69"

Downtown Denver Art Galleries

Visit Denver recently wrote an article for their website about shopping for art in Denver, Colorado. They did not mention the top area to shop for artwork and visit art galleries, which is downtown Denver. Wazee Street has five high caliber art galleries including Translations Gallery, Robischon Gallery, Visions West Gallery, David Cook Gallery, and David B. Smith Gallery. You can also find Plus Gallery, Great Western Art Gallery, and MCA Denver just a few blocks away.

Artwork can be found in a wide range of prices in these galleries, both affordable and high value. You may also simply browse and enjoy the artwork. Be sure to stop by Translations Gallery on Thursdays for Dessert Day. The gallery offers complimentary desserts to snack on while viewing exhibitions.

These galleries also offer their spaces for event rental. LoDo is the best neighborhood in Denver to have events with convenient access to public transportation and the best hotels and nightlife spots in the city.

The downtown Denver art galleries are located in LoDo, just 1 block from the 16th Street Mall shuttle and Union Station. Wazee Street is also home to great restaurants like Mangiamo Pronto and Big Game.

Translations Gallery Artist Rachel Darnell has Two Pieces in the New Four Seasons Hotel, Denver

The new Four Seasons Hotel in Downtown Denver has nearly 1,200 pieces of contemporary art. Included in this amazing art collection is work by Translations Gallery artist Rachel Darnell. The artist was commissioned to complete two 54" x 54" pieces for the space outside of the Ballroom. She worked off of an existing piece entitled Mystic Mahogany (shown above). The process for this piece includes torn strips of canvas reassembled and painted with silver leaf. Her pieces are large, impressive, and will add contemporary glam to the ballroom space.

Denver Magazine recently wrote about the new art collection in their August 2010 issue, but did not mention Darnell because she is from New Mexico, not Colorado. Read the article here.

You can view more of Rachel Darnell's work at Translations Gallery, a Denver Art Gallery located only blocks from the Four Seasons or by visiting their website.

AARP's My Generation to film Sandhi Schimmel Gold at Translations Gallery

We are proud to announce that AARP will be filming during our upcoming Exhibition Opening with artist Sandhi Schimmel Gold for their tv show My Generation. "Each week, My Generation features celebrities and nationally known experts covering issues from health and money to relationships and volunteering. The program includes award-winning stories of reinvention, pursuing your passion, and making a difference" (from aarp.org).

Sandhi's unique approach to the contemporary portrait with use of recycled materials has put her in the spotlight. She recently had a piece acquired into the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum in Florida. She was also named one of 5 Artists to Watch in the March 2010 issue of Phoenix Home & Garden. The large banner of Pixie is still up on the back of the Buell Theater on Champa Street in Denver, Colorado. The Exhibition Opening will be August 6th, 5:00 - 8:30pm.

Translations Gallery Artist Laura Carpenter is an "Artist to Watch"

We brought Laura Carpenter on as an represented artist earlier this year, and were pleased to find out that she was named an "Artist to Watch" in the February 2007 issue of Southwest Art Magazine. She is currently working on her MFA at Colorado State University. Her painting has progressed from vast landscapes with dark palettes to close-up landscape views with bright palettes. The piece shown above, Path, is a large 72" x 84". She works in both large and small scale and captures an intimate yet vibrant landscape in all sizes. We will have Laura's work on view at the gallery during the month of August with a reception on the evening of August 6th with the artist in attendance.

Huge Banner of Sandhi Schimmel Gold's Pixie Still Up

In January of this year, we announced that the Denver Theater District was installing a huge banner of Pixie, an amazing mosaic portrait by Translations Gallery artist Sandhi Schimmel Gold. We are proud to announce that the banner is still up on the back of Buell Theater on the 1300 block of Champa Street in Downtown Denver. If you haven't had the chance to see it, drive down Champa too see this amazing installation. Pixie is alongside 2 other banners from Walker Fine Art and T Gallery.

Anita Lewis showing at the St. Julien in Boulder

The exhibition, Splash at the St. Julien Hotel in Boulder, Colorado will feature work by nine amazing artists including Translations Gallery artist, Anita Lewis from July to September, 2010. A reception will be held at the St. Julien Wednesday, July 7th 6:00 - 8:00pm. All artwork is for sale.

The exhibition is hosted by Art Movement Colorado and includes work by artists Anita Lewis, Michael Banks, Will Day, Kelly Degnan, Cecilia Field, Bill Fisher, Dan Ragland, Robert Striffolino, & Randy Zahn.

Image: Anita Lewis, Sunny Day, oil on canvas, 36" x 36"

Translations Gallery Celebrates 4 Year Anniversary!

Translations Gallery is 4 years old this month! After relocating to Downtown Denver last year, we have had more visitors, more amazing exhibitions, and more events than any other year in business. Several major museums including the Denver Art Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art acquired work into their permanent collection by our artists: Mark Bowles and Ruth Borgenicht. We have also had the opportunity to host events with major Denver businesses and organizations including the IIDA (International Interior Design Association).

Next time you are downtown, stop by and check out art by our amazing regional artists. Our current exhibition is Small Works with James Dormer, Paul Flippen, Stanley Scott, Janet Bothne, Ruth Borgenicht & Donna Malpiede McNulty. We are also showing Bruce Marion's landscape paintings.

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/translationsgallery
View and Shop for artwork on our website: www.translationsgallery.com

Translation Gallery Artist Bruce Marion Installs Major Commission at Sam Houston State University

Translations Gallery Artist Bruce Marion just finished installing a major project at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. The work graces the entrances of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. Bruce was chosen from hundreds of applicants for the project.

The work is part of the "Facets" and "Confluence" series and includes 19 large scale canvases that are shown in groups or pairs. Both series reflect on the ideas behind studying in the Humanities & Social Sciences. The "Confluence" series is about combining reality with creativity while the "Facets" series reflects on the idea behind duality of character and purpose.

We are proud of Bruce's wonderful accomplishment! Be sure to visit the building if you are in the area. You can also always see Bruce's work at Translations Gallery.

Bruce Marion's newest series of landscapes will be on view at Translations Gallery during the month of June.

Translations Gallery Owner Elected to LoDo Board

We are proud to announce that Translations Gallery owner, Judy Hagler, was elected to the LoDo Board of Directors this week for a two year term.

Judy stated, "I am very happy to have this opportunity to become more involved in the LoDo District. There are many amazing projects going on in this neighborhood including the redevelopment of Union Station that I am excited to get involved in."

Judy is the only arts & culture board member at this time, so her voice is vital to the progression of the arts in LoDo and Downtown Denver. She is also co-chair of the LoDo Alley Cats Arts Festival, which will be taking place for the first time in 2011.

Denver Post Critic Kyle MacMillan Reviews our Current Exhibition

Our current exhibition of work by tapestry artist James Koehler was reviewed by Kyle MacMillan of the Denver Post today. We love the reference to Josef Albers' work as well as how certain works reflect subtle mountain terrain such as Harmonic Oscillation LXII. When Kyle came into the gallery, he was surprised to see that the work is so tightly-woven thinking that it may have had some three dimensionality to it. In viewing the images online, it appears that these works are three dimensional due to Koehler's expertise in dying a monochromatic palette that once woven, appears as rippling waves of water in the sunlight.

The exhibition will be on display at Translations Gallery until tomorrow, May 1st, but some pieces will still be available for purchase. Payment plans are available.

Read the full Denver Post review here. More James Koehler work may be viewed on our website. Click here to see the show online.

Image: James Koehler, Harmonic Oscillation LXII, hand-dyed wool tapestry 60"w x 60"h

Translations Gallery is One of Top Spaces for Events in Downtown Denver

Having an event and need a space? Translations Gallery is a hot spot for events in downtown Denver. Our clients continue to be wowed by our fabulous space that includes high ceilings, hardwood floors, an open & airy floorplan, and not to mention amazing contemporary art by regional and local artists. In the past month we have had cocktail parties, birthday parties, business networking, meetings, presentations, wedding ceremonies, receptions & rehearsal dinners. Our prime location makes it easy for your guests to enjoy the restaurants, hotels, and nightlife of LoDo. The gallery is available for rent during the day or evening.

We are currently offering a special deal for renting the gallery. If you book your event by July 31st, we will give you 20% off your event rate.

Check out our Space Rental page on our website for images and info. Visit the gallery to see our space in person or contact Judy for more info (judy@translationsgallery.com or 303.629.0713).

Translations Gallery Owner & Director Jury CSU's Undergraduate Art Exhibition

The Curfman Gallery’s 40th anniversary culminates with its longest running annual exhibit, the Undergraduate Visual Art Exhibition at Colorado State University. This annual exhibition serves to showcase the top talent of CSU artists regardless of major. It is no surprise that with the level of student involvement, hard work and peer support that the Undergraduate Exhibition tends to be one of the most popular exhibitions at the Curfman Gallery each year. The exhibition seeks to provide the CSU community with a deeper understanding of the arts while celebrating the CSU students' artistic and academic achievements.

Translations Gallery owner, Judy Hagler and director, Kate Chimenti were asked to jury this prestigious exhibition. The artist talent at CSU is amazing as Judy and Kate well know. Several Translations Gallery artists are from CSU, including professors James Dormer and Paul Flippen and students Laura Carpenter and Stanley Scott.

The opening reception for the CSU Undergraduate Art Exhibition is at the Curfman Gallery in the Lory Student Center on Friday, April 23rd 4-6pm. Please join us in congratulating the exhibitors and award winners!

New Translations Gallery Artist - Laura Carpenter

We excited to announce our newest artist to Translations Gallery, Laura Carpenter. Laura has been working with the subject of landscape for 8 years in Colorado. Her current work explores the balance between real and abstract, natural and manmade, and local and non-local color. She is employing a technique of ‘reductive’ painting where she lays down oil paint and then strategically takes it away with layers of glazes and washes in between. She is influenced by the landscape she lives in as well as memories and images from other places she has experienced. In 2008 Laura was featured in Southwest Art Magazine as an ‘artist to watch’. She is currently in graduate school to obtain her MFA at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. Stop in the gallery to see Laura's work in person or email us for more images: info@translationsgallery.com.

Image: Laura Carpenter, Fall, 67"w x 49"h, oil on panel

Sandhi Schimmel Gold is One of Four Emerging Artists in Phoenix Home & Garden Magazine

We already knew that Translations Gallery artist Sandhi Schimmel Gold was up and coming, but Phoenix Home & Garden Magazine just verified it in their March 2010 issue. Each spring, the magazine reviews artists for their "emerging artists" section. Read Sandhi's interview and view four of her beautiful mosaic portraits on pages 78-79. Congratulations Sandhi!

Image: Sandhi Schimmel Gold, Cherry Blossom, acrylic & mosaic tiles from recycled mail, 30" x 30"

Mark Bowles painting accepted into a second U.S. Embassy

We are proud to announce that Mark Bowles has had a second piece accepted into a United States Embassy for a 2-3 year loan. The painting is titled Summer Heat, and is located in the embassy in Katmandu, Nepal. Please join us in congratulating Mark on this great accomplishment!

Image: Mark Bowles, Summer Heat, acrylic on canvas, 60"w x 60"h

Rent the Gallery for Your Next Special Event

Ever since we decided to rent our new gallery space for events, we have been flooded with inquiries. Art galleries have much to offer for events, including an urban, contemporary atmosphere and amazing fine art on the walls. Translations Gallery has beautiful hardwood floors, high ceilings, and 1900 square feet of space. We have recently hosted several wedding receptions, cocktail parties, corporate presentations, and all-day training sessions. For more info or to inquire about having your next event at the gallery, visit our website.

Dru Dormer, new puppy addition to the gallery family

Translations Gallery artist James Dormer just got a new Springer Spaniel puppy named Dru. We think it's pretty funny when dog owners look like their dogs. However, we find that Dru resembles Dormer's artwork. The black and white colors of his coat are found in many of Dormer's amazing lithographs, which he completes using automatism or mark-making. See more of Dormer's work in the gallery or on our website. Images (top): James Dormer, Battle II, lithograph, 16"w x 13"h, framed, (bottom): Dru, Springer Spaniel pup

New HBurger Restaurant, Denver

The new HBurger Restaurant located in Denver's LoDo District on 16th Street Mall is opening this week. We are proud to announce that the restaurant recently acquired an amazing painting from Translations Gallery, Lisabel Filiatrault's Joy. The piece is 8' x 4' and hangs behind the bar. We think it is quite fitting due to the fact that the painting resembles ketchup, mustard, and mayo in a beautifully balanced composition.

The gallery staff had the pleasure of attending an opening party last Friday to enjoy tastings of some of HBurger's fine cuisine, including the Eden (veggie) burger, sweet potato fries, and to-die-for ice cream sandwiches. We also enjoyed a fabulous lunch today with the traditional hburger, super yummy french fries (we can't figure out what they put on them to make them so addictive), and the Marshmellow Nutella Milk Shake (vanilla vodka, hazelnut liquor, Nutella, vanilla ice cream, topped with roasted marshmellows). How many different ways are there to say YUM?

Visit the HBurger website

Niche Magazine article about our payment plans

Niche Magazine's Retail Detail's section features how we make fine art affordable with our awesome payment plans and small works on paper. With these art buying options, we suddenly open the doors to art collecting to a wider audience. Read the full article here:

http://www.nichemagazine.com/2009/12/making-art-more-affordable/

IIDA Forum at Translations Gallery

The International Interior Design Association Forum is held at Translations Gallery every month. This month, we heard Keynote Speaker Cheryl Durst, the CEO of the IIDA. Her talk was about the future of design and how changes in the world and American population are affecting those changes. One of the more interesting points for us was her description of a Time of Optimism. People are craving signs of an optimistic future in every part of their lives. A symbol for this optimism is the color yellow. Yellow was a popular color for design in 2009, and it will continue for 2010. We can find this symbolic color not only in design but in film. In the movie Slumdog Millionare, yellow is strategically inserted into scenes every 20 minutes. We pay attention to these trends, and so do our artists. See above, Anita Lewis: Yellow Morning, oil on canvas.

Art for a Cause - Rob Williams

We are proud to announce that Translations Gallery artist Rob Williams is a participating artist in Artma, a biennial auction of art that benefits the Morgan Adams Foundation. Funds that are raised will support researchers who are searching for a cure for pediatric cancer.

For more details visit artmaonline.org

Image: Rob Williams, Let It Be Me, water-based oil, ink, graphite, & resin on wood panel, 33"w x 33"h

Denver Theatre District Exhibits Large Scale Art Canvas with work by Translations Gallery Artist Sandhi Schimmel Gold

Artwork entitled Pixie by Translations Gallery artist Sandhi Schimmel Gold has been blown up on a huge banner that is located on the wall behind the Buell Theater on Champa Street between 13th and 14th Streets. The banner will be on display alongside two others for the next 6 months. The three large-scale art canvases were curated for display by Plus Gallery owner Ivar Zeile.

The Denver Theatre District's vision is to fill downtown Denver with giant outdoor media as well as arts-related signage for cultural organizations and art galleries to promote artists, shows, upcoming events, and exhibits.

The Denver Theatre District unveiled the first of a series of large-scale outdoor art canvases as part of its new "outdoor gallery" of contemporary art. This is the first time a privately funded, outdoor art presentation has been attempted on this scale anywhere in the U.S., once again positioning the city of Denver as a pioneer for innovative public-private downtown development efforts.

Image: Sandhi Schimmel Gold, Pixie, acrylic & mosaic tiles from recycled mail, 24"w x 24"h