CENTRAL CITY — Community. Art. Food.

These filled historic Washington Hall Saturday evening, June 6, as the Gilpin Arts Association celebrated its 79th Annual Juried Art Show. 

By the time the awards were handed out, the gallery was packed, buffet tables were nearly picked clean, and customers were still lining up to buy artwork.

Guests fill Washington Hall for the opening reception and awards ceremony of the Gilpin Arts Association's 79th Annual Juried Show.

Photos by Mindy Leary

What organizers predicted would be the best art show and potluck of the year did not disappoint.

Artists from Colorado and around the country submitted entries for the renowned show, which has been a Gilpin County tradition since 1947. 

This year's exhibition featured paintings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, woodworking, jewelry, and mixed-media works displayed throughout the historic building.

Central City Mayor Jeremy Fey, who also serves on the Gilpin Arts Association Board of Trustees, could be heard rallying the crowd before the awards ceremony. "Eat more food! Buy more art!"

Judging by the lines at both the buffet tables and the sales counter, attendees were happy to follow directions.

Gilpin Arts Association President Eric Miller welcomed the crowd and reflected on the organization's nearly eight decades of supporting artists.

"This is what community is about. This is what the arts are about," he said.

Founded in 1947, the association continues to operate with a simple mission: providing artists a place to exhibit their work while creating a gathering space for the community. 

Miller noted that membership dues, donations, art sales, and fundraising events help keep the organization going while supporting arts programming and student exhibits.

One of the evening's biggest draws was simply the variety of artwork on display. Visitors wandered from room to room taking in everything from handcrafted furniture and ceramics to wildlife photography and contemporary paintings.

Artwork from the Gilpin Arts Association's 79th Annual Juried Show fills Washington Hall in Central City.

Photos by Mindy Leary

Among the winning pieces was Jessica Colodny's "Old Fashion," a painting depicting a hand holding a cocktail glass that earned first place in the two-dimensional category. 

Jennifer Levitt's colorful doughnut painting "Sprinkle" took third place, while Jeffrey Cumpston's striking black-and-white abstract ink painting earned second place.

In photography, Barbara Schultheis won third place for "Best Frenemies," a close-up image of bighorn sheep. 

Barbara Schultheis displays her third-place photography award for Best Frenemies.

Photo by Mindy Leary

Steve Sorensen's architectural photograph "Geometric Intersection" earned second place, while Michael Potts claimed first place with "V & Barrage of Stone."

The three-dimensional category included sculpture and even functional art. Carry Berry's ceramic oil lamp "Venus" took third place. Kristin Conrad Bernhardt's "Singing Muse Bottle Vase" earned second. Gregg Tarantino's handcrafted "Spanish Colonial Chest" won first place.

The night's highest honor, Best of Show, went to Roy Cacek for "Multiplicity of Self," an acrylic work composed of hundreds of small blocks of color. Up close, the piece appears abstract. From across the room, multiple faces emerge from the mosaic-like arrangement. The painting drew considerable attention throughout the evening and became a frequent topic of conversation among those present.

Judge David Sherwin Parker said selecting winners from the exhibition was no easy task.

"There was so much great art in the show," Parker said. "This is a beautiful community, and I'm so honored to be here."

The show also attracted artists from outside Colorado. Victoria Bond traveled from Livingston, Montana, to attend the opening reception. Bond brought three oil paintings depicting landscapes from places that hold special meaning to her.

"These are favorite places of mine," Bond said while discussing her work. One painting depicts Indian Creek along Idaho's Middle Fork of the Salmon River, a remote wilderness location she visits by airplane.

"I'm a pilot, and that is a place that we fly into and camp," she said. "It's a beautiful, remote place in the wilderness. Very special to me."

By the end of the evening, guests were still making their way through the food line, artists were discussing techniques with visitors, and conversations echoed through every room of Washington Hall.

The Gilpin Arts juried show is about more than just ribbons and awards. It's a celebration of the artists, volunteers, and community members who continue to keep the arts alive in Central City.

The 79th Annual Juried Show is currently on display at the Gilpin Arts Association, 117 Eureka Street in Central City. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. The Gilpin Arts Association is already planning its third annual Taste of Gilpin fundraiser this fall. Organizers said details and dates will be announced in the coming months.