The Nederland Art at the Center spring reception was a fun event with inspiring art, colorful refreshments, beautiful music, and lots of conversation. Those attending enjoyed talking with artists about their latest art, and then settling at a table in the Community Room to listen to Ryan Farris’ classical cello and Irish fiddle music. There were plenty of tasty treats to nibble on and lots of catching up to do with friends and fellow art lovers.

One of the parts of the event that guests enjoy, besides taking a good look at the art, is to vote on their favorite pieces. Being able to do this gives them a chance to look more closely at the art and to think about how it was created, the inspiration behind it, and what moves them about it. The votes are submitted and counted before the end of the reception so the results can be announced before the end of the evening. This spring show had many winners.

People’s Choice “Best in Show” awarded the highest number of votes to the art of Annie Thayer, who is also the volunteer Curator and Coordinator for the Art at the Center shows. The community appreciates both her artistic talent and her commitment to bringing the work of many local artists to our mountain residents.

The Coordinator’s Choice Award went to Janna Butler for her watercolor painting of the Fruth barn titled Neighbors. Janna is a fairly recent member of the Nederland community, and has just started painting watercolors. This is her first time showing her work.

Three artists tied for first place: Jeanne Benson for her amazingly realistic series of colored pencil drawings of vegetables used in international cuisine such as “Sofrito,” which were described as “mind-boggling”; Max Krimmel for his intaglio prints showing landscapes with both detail and soft textures, a favorite being the one titled Prairie; and Serene Karplus for her innovative and unique photographs of flower shadows on lichen.

Second place went to Nancy Kirkendall for her cold wax and oil painting of Caribou Ranch. Guests enjoyed the Monet feel to the painting as well as the beautiful colors.

Three artists tied for third place: Wolfy Wolf for his richly saturated and deep colors in his beautiful watercolor paintings of Old Town Nederland; Kathy Banich for her inspiring and hard-to-catch nature photography; and Brent Warren for his Dead Guy Days posters which he has created over the years.

Attendees also took a moment to remember Sharon Ferguson who had been a long-time supporter and volunteer for Art at the Center, while Ryan played an Irish fiddle tune.

This show will be up until early June. It is worth a trip to the Community Center to see the art. The next Art at the Center show will include our annual demo show. Guests attending the reception can watch artists demonstrate their art and also try their hand at one or more forms of art, taking home what they create. Please mark your calendars for Thursday, June 16, 2022 from 4 - 7 p.m.

The artists and community thank the many volunteers who make this show happen: Nederland Community Center Manager Dawn Baumhover, and her team preparing food, serving beverages, greeting guests, and cleaning up, as well as the team who helps to take in the registrations, hang the art, and count the ballots.