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ART APPRECIATION
The
Ouray County Arts Association consists of a group of volunteers
dedicated to providing art shows for the appreciation of the local
populace and visitors to the county. The
organization was initiated in 1960 as the brainchild of
Joyce Jorgenson, former owner and Editor of the Ouray County
Plaindealer.
Joyce, being an artist herself, thought there should be a local show
for local artists. Others agreed. The Artists' Alpine Holiday began
that
year, and the rest is history.
The Association has
presented a judged art show, the Artists' Alpine Holiday, each year
since that time. The show is open to any artist's work, and over the
years it has attracted artists from many
states, but most of those contributing are from Colorado and
surrounding states. It is one of the oldest juried art shows in
Colorado,
and runs for eight days each August.
Almost
200 artists enter the Artists' Alpine Holiday each year bringing over
400
works of art, including sculpture and photography, and there
is a special category for students. The show is generally attended by
close
to 2,000 visitors from foreign countries and more than 30 states.
Approximately 10% or more of the art is sold during the show's run each
year.
The Association encourages student artists and offers
scholarships to deserving
seniors in Ouray and Ridgway schools. The remaining monies received (in
the form of
entry fees and memberships) are used to support ongoing shows,
including the awarding of prizes and payment of the show's judge. All
of those involved in the planning and operation of shows are volunteers
- including the officers and committee chairpersons.
Our current goals are:
* To provide information
about art related events in Ouray County.
* To encourage
appreciation, enthusiasm, participation and support of the visual arts.
* To encourage local artist by providing a venue for their works.
We are pleased to be
able to provide this service to those of you living in the area or
visiting it.
