MASKS & MYSTERY: This fantastic show is at the Mancos Town Gallery and will continue until Dec. 4. It features original works by regional artists in a variety of media. Showing are Tim Hamilton, Brian Killigrew, Midge Kirk, Dian Law, Marilyn Kroeker, Brian Kyle, Paul Rathburn, Janice Reich, Donna Steward, Sara Swift, Lona Warne, Mary Wilson, Jan Wright and Ron Yellowbird. Also featured are pieces from the collections of Sara Allen (carved masks from the Pacific Northwest), Betsy Harrison (beaded mask from the Huichol Indians) and from Kelly Chilcott (a wide variety of Native American pieces) The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you want to stop by at another time, contact me or Marilyn Kroeker at Raven House.
JURIED ART SHOW AT THE CULTURAL CENTER: In the gallery at the center, its annual juried art show will kick off on Nov. 3 with an opening reception 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, with appetizers, refreshments and a cash bar. Works in many media, two- and three-dimension, will be featured.
DURANGO ARTS CENTER: Sentinels of Change: Drought in the West, Members' Exhibit runs Oct. 25 through Nov. 16. This year's theme is drought, and it is open to all Durango Arts Center members for submission for original, creative work.
The exhibit will be accompanied by lectures, films and discussions.
Upcoming is the Winter Solstice Artisans' Market, that will run from Nov. 22 through Dec. 24.
Each holiday season, this market returns to DAC with a superb presentation of fine arts and crafts gift items from more than 50 regional and local artists.
Regional and local artists have created original and unique offerings including ceramics, jewelry, metal, textiles, glass, wood, note cards, ornaments, calendars, photography, painting, and drawing. Artists interested in being in the Winter Solstice Artisans' Market should contact Mary Puller at puller@durangoarts.org or Ann Friedman at ann@durangoarts.org or phone DAC at (970) 259-2606 for further information. Deadline for application is Nov. 1, 2013. See the DAC website for details.
MEANWHILE IN FARMINGTON: Stop in at one of my favorite spots in our neighbor to the south. The show "Containers" runs Friday, Nov. 1, through Dec. 31, with a reception from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 13. This gallery always has a few surprises!
MORE DURANGO: There will be such great stuff at the Fort Lewis Concert Hall in November and December. Among the other treasures, there's "Live from the Metropolitan Opera" videocasts in HD of a variety operas, including works by Mozart, Dvorak and others. Cowboy poet Baxter Black, Robin and Linda Williams, Robert Mirabel, the BarD Wranglers, "The Nutcracker," "The Messiah," live theater, and a lot more. Check out the website, and celebrate the holiday season with music and inspiration. (www.durangoconcerts.com)
ART BEAT NEWS: Your reporter will be gone during November taking care of medical issues but will return in December. In the meantime, enjoy the vast array of arts available in the beautiful and creative West. There's something in the air that lends itself to the creative process, and we all get to participate!
I'll still be connected to the digital artosphere via email, so drop me a line, dhlaw4367@gmail.com. In my stead as president of the Mancos Valley Arts Council, Marilyn Kroeker at Raven House Gallery and Jan Wright at Artisans will be holding down the fort.
Thanks for letting me write about the arts for the past six years. Looking forward to getting back to the keyboard in a month or so. Happy Turkey Day, y'all!
Reach Dian Law at (970) 533-7536 or email at dhlaw4367@gmail.com. Be sure to check out our website - www.mancosarts.org.