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

Buy Art in Denver, not Santa Fe

Recently, several guests stopped in the gallery and commented that they just returned from Santa Fe, New Mexico where they purchased art. Yet, they absolutely loved what we had in the gallery. Tip: Save on paying for shipping costs and buy local! Denver has a lot of great art galleries, and fine art is reasonably priced here. Denver also has 8 art districts that include over 300 small & large arts & cultural organizations. For a Denver Gallery Guide, stop into any art gallery or download one online on the DOCA website.

Translations Gallery Artist Mark Bowles Accepted into Art in Embassies Program

The Art in Embassies Program of the United States has acquired Mark Bowles' Arch of Atmosphere to hang in the U.S. Embassy residence in Mexico City, Mexico. It will hang in the home of ambassador Carlos Pascual, the new ambassador to Mexico, for a period of about three years. Join us in congratulating Mark on this spectacular achievement!

The Misperception of Gallery Staff

We were pondering today over the way gallery staff are perceived in the art industry, whether in Denver, New York, or Chicago. A few words came to mind: snobby, unapproachable, and "know-it-alls". The truth is, in Denver, we all do our best to stay away from that perception. At Translations Gallery, for example, we wear jeans everyday, play cool music like jazz or electronica, and work at our desks out in the gallery. We also have high quality contemporary art on the walls with a payment plan option clearly printed on every wall tag. We feel that we make it easier for our guests to approach us about art, and we have received many comments that we always have a warm and inviting space.

The lesson to be learned here: Fine Art is for the Masses. Don't be shy about wandering into an art gallery or asking questions about the art. It's ok to browse, and it's also ok to buy!

Great Turnout for Reception Last Friday

Translations Gallery had an Artist Reception for James Koehler and Anne Bossert on Friday, October 2nd. We had the best turnout that we've had since the gallery's grand re-opening last May. Why? Three of our artists were in attendance including James Koehler, Anne Bossert, and Robert Bell. Many people forget that meeting the artist can be a very rewarding experience. One of our represented or exhibiting artists is usually present at every reception. Our next reception is with Arizona artist Bruce Marion. We will have his newest series on display with a reception at the beginning of November.