Springtime in the Rockies: Oil painter Ted Garcia stands in front of his work, currently displayed at the Gilpin Arts Association in Central City. Garcia is an avid plein air painter of Colorado’s scenery.[/caption]

The opening reception for the Spring Fever Feature Show at Gilpin Arts Association was held on Saturday, April 20 at the Gilpin Arts Association, 117 Eureka Street in Central City.

The show shone a spotlight on three distinct artists: Ala Park, Ted Garcia, and Greg Wigler, each bringing their unique artforms.

Park's work, meticulously crafted over three decades, captivated viewers with its delicate fusion of fishbone and velvet. With 26 pieces on display, Park's artistic journey from sourcing bones across the globe to her improvisational process left attendees in awe.

She said her inspiration comes from the shapes of the bones. When asked where she acquires the bones, she said many different places, like Moldova, her home country, as well as France, Florida, and the most recent being Whole Foods in Colorado.

She described her process as completely improvisational; there are no sketches or plans. The preparation of the fish bones is a long and arduous process, beginning with boiling the fish, washing and drying the bones, and preserving them with a pearl polish.

Brimming with talent: Greg Wigler’s photography speaks volumes to his experiences.[/caption]

She attaches the bones using tweezers and glue, the latter of which allows some movement of the bones.

“The biggest challenge is cleaning the velvet after the work is done and signing my name with the bones,” Park intimated, calling the act “a labor of love.”

An adept imagination is certainly evident in Park’s works.

Her art has been to several other states and is currently also displayed at the R Gallery in downtown Boulder.

Garcia, winner of the 2021 Quick Draw Plein Air Event, said he began his career as a commercial illustrator 30 years ago; he started painting in the impressionistic style 24 years ago.

He often finds inspiration driving around Colorado. Occasionally, something grabs his attention, he pulls over, and paints the scene within two hours, in order to catch the lighting.

Sometimes he has a commissioned concept or design from a patron; other times he does portraits of some of his favorite subjects, like John Wayne and James Dean. He describes the portraits as showcasing his “individual flavor.”

Less commonly, he will paint with a thick goop; a creative, abstract process that yields its own spontaneous, three-dimensional shape.

In the future, Garcia would like to show his art in more galleries and explore different subjects.

He is a Colorado native and would like to do more Plein Air in the area; water is one of his favorite subjects. He used to visit Central City as a kid and fondly remembers throwing rocks in the streams.

Garcia's work spoke volumes about his deep connection to his craft and surroundings.

His printwork can be found at www.tedgarciafineart.com and his originals can be purchased at Gilpin Arts Association or at https:// tedgarcia.com/.

Wigler, a seasoned photographer with a penchant for storytelling, transported visitors through his lens.

From his early days mastering camera mechanics to capturing iconic moments like U2's Red Rocks performance, Wigler's portfolio reflected a lifetime of passion and dedication.

He has been practicing professionally for 20 years, but began over 50 years ago.

He attended a camera repair school and bought his first 35 mm camera for $100 from a Vietnam veteran who worked in the same factory as Wigler.

Wigler ran the machines at National Camera and learned the chemistry behind photography. Later, he became involved with Riverside Arts in California who connected him with the iconic rock band, U2, who asked to buy his photos of their famous 1983 Red Rocks performance. Wigler has kept his photo pass from the show as a memento.

Wigler loves employing infrared photography, a process that creates images by capturing infrared, giving photos a distinct lack of coloration other than red.

He shared a story about visiting the grave of Morgan Earp, brother of the famous Wyatt Earp. He said the gravesite was way off the beaten path, and after a long hike, he finally found it right at the moment when a beam of light spilled over the headstone, illuminating it. He captured the scene using his infrared camera. The photo is displayed and can be viewed at Gilpin Arts anytime.

Wigler’s art nowadays is deeply connected with the Stanley Hotel. He has designed their T-shirts, hoodies, matted prints, panoramas, etc. with his photography, which permeates the gift shop.

Wigler is also working on some album art for an upcoming band called The Redondos.

With the Spring Fever Feature Show running until May 24, there's ample opportunity for art enthusiasts to delve deeper into the world of these talented artists and perhaps find the perfect piece to adorn their spaces.

Whether it's Park's intricate bone art, Garcia's evocative paintings, or Wigler's mesmerizing photographs, the Spring Fever Feature Show offers the viewers a glimpse into the worlds of eclectic art.

Other events at Gilpin Arts include: a launch cocktail party for the Central City Opera on April 27 at 2 p.m., with a preview of the opera at 3 p.m.; and a paint and sip event with Barbara Thielemann decorating birdhouses on May 18 from noon to 2 p.m.