By Freda Miklin
Governmental Reporter
The All Colorado Art Show at Curtis Arts Center at 2349 East Orchard Road in Greenwood Village opened on July 10 and will run through August 28. This marks the 38th year of this show.
The juror for this year’s exhibit is Mike McClung, a well-known and highly respected expert in the field. He has owned the Michael Warren Contemporary, a gallery at 760 Santa Fe in Denver with his partner Warren Campbell since 2014.
There were over 600 entries for the exhibit, which Chris Stevens, GV cultural arts manager said “were the most we’ve ever had, by far.” McClung selected 85 pieces to be shown, which included “a diversity of mediums and different experience levels. Some artists have shown for years and some are brand new,” Stevens told The Villager.
The Curtis Arts Center was built as a one-room schoolhouse in 1914 to serve ten students. Dedicated as the Curtis Arts and Humanities Center in 1991, it hosts dozens of art classes each year and regular art exhibits from the traditional to the more contemporary. Owned and operated by the City of Greenwood Village, Curtis is one of nearly 300 cultural organizations that receive funding from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District to support its popular programs. Greenwood Village retains a 30 percent commission on all art sold at the show and other events at Curtis, which is used to fund the GV Arts and Humanities Council.
Artist Sina March, who lives in Wheat Ridge, was “walking around the lake” and saw this image. “It spoke to me of the passing era, an amusement park on its last legs,” she told us. The oil painting is called “Lakeside.” 
Recycled magazine paper on archival cradle panel is the medium used by artist Shara Oilman of Aurora for this piece called “You’ll Find Me In The Leaves.” 
Former GV Mayor Ron Rakowsky and Margaret Rakowsky stopped by to enjoy the show. He is seated next to Artist Jedi Valdez’ photograph titled “Iris Purple Glass.” 
Lee Reedy of Centennial is the artist who created this colorful oil titled “Reaching for the Sun.” 
These two wood pieces by Centennial’s Scott DeWeese, “Hollow Vessel #1010 w/Finial” and “Basket of Illusion #026” received the 3rd Place Juror’s Award. 
Greenwood Village’s own Bob Doyle told The Villager that he created this oil painting called “Winter’s Path” from what he saw on a walk around Bear Creek during the height of the COVID-19 shutdown. 
Robert Isaiah Ratterman is the artist of this oil on canvas piece, “Dreams of Flight.” 
Drew Sweeney and former Greenwood Village City Councilmember Leslie Schluter are longtime supporters of the arts who never miss a show at Curtis. The artist, Mark Perkins, combined random pieces that he found of a blender, a skateboard, electric stovetop burners, an old fence and other things that he put together to create what he described to The Villager as “an alter to the glory of everyday things.” 
Artist Craig Rousse of Denver created “Captured in the Balance” using acrylics on cradled panel. 
This iconic oil painting of the unique and brilliant Ruth Bader Ginsburg, United States Supreme Court justice from 1993 until her passing in 2020, was painted by Natalie Nichol of Greenwood Village. It was sold within the first hour it went on display. 
At least 300 people stopped by the opening reception of the 2021 All Colorado Art Show at Curtis Arts Center to see the art and connect with friends and neighbors, old and new. Photos by Freda Miklin 
Artist James Overstreet of Cheyenne created this oil on panel work titled “Turtles in Time.” 
Artist Nancy Eastman’s piece titled “Forest” is handmade paper applied to a photographic print that, she told us, “reflects the depth and darkness of the forest.” 
This bronze titled “First Love” by Lorri Acott is near the front door of the Curtis Arts Center, welcoming visitors.
The Curtis Arts Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The phone number is 303-797-1779.
Fmiklin.villager@gmail.com