“Contrast” contains a pleasing mix of artworks by Littleton Fine Art Guild members, exhibited through March 6 in Stanton Art Gallery at Littleton Town Hall Arts Center. It’s open during box office hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and during performances. (“Little Shop of Horrors” is playing now.)
The show’s juror was photographer Andrew Kelley, who awarded “Best of Theme” to member Joe Bonita, also a photographer, for his crisp “Array of Coffee Cups.”
(Last week, we ran an image of Stacey Roberts’ brightly-colored Best of Show sky, “Forecast of Rain,” executed with soft pastels.)
Styles, as always with Littleton Fine Arts Guild exhibits, vary from crisp abstract paintings to dreamy bright watercolors and points in-between.
As one strolls, one is attracted immediately by Karen June Shaw’s splashy, motion-filled “Cardinals in a Tree,” said to be created with ink and Yupo, which is described as a new synthetic paper, made of polypropylene … Handsome piece.
Paul Nutting’s inviting landscape, “Down the Valley” won an Honorable Mention, as did Pam Roth O’Mara’s acrylic painting, “Renewal.”
Carol Broere combined text with ink in her “Children,” with a carefree small person on a swing dominating the space.
Mary Clark’s funny painting, “What Are You Saying?” portrays a noisy crow scolding a kitty. One can hear the noise as one looks — or perhaps it’s just that I often hear that crow sound from my balcony that faces Bega Park … This painting won a Second Place ribbon, while photographer Carl Paulson’s strong piece, “Ironwork,” placed Third.
When Clark is not painting, she volunteers as a “kitty whisperer” at the Dumb Friends League and devotes time and effort to finding homes for those felines, including the black fur person in charge at my house. She paints them singly and in groups — in assorted colors and sizes, often inspiring a smile.
An Honorable Mention also marks Merrie Wick’s mellow oil painting, “Moonlight.”
I’m not certain just how the arrangement between Town Hall and the Depot Art Gallery’s Littleton Fine Art Guild came about in the past few years, but it’s really a good plan. Storytelling is what it’s all about with both organizations. Great combination. The guild has attracted a number of active members, who create all sorts of visions of the world around us — or of the worlds in member’s heads.
Next exhibit at Stanton Gallery will be “Life is a Beach,” from March 8 to May 15. “Carry Me Away” is the current Depot show at 2069 W. Powers. Next there will be Littleton High School’s Baccalaureate Art from March 1 to 13.
Prospective members are encouraged to apply and the long-running Guild holds membership meetings and supplies artworks to fill the Depot and spaces at the courthouse and some restaurants and coffee houses in Littleton and Englewood. Information is on the Depot Art Gallery’s website. Or stop in and chat with the friendly member/hosts at the Depot, Tuesdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Added note: Who was Charles Stanton for whom the Stanton Gallery was named? He was a well-known Denver socialite, born in 1909, who married the Bonfils heiress, May Bonfils, in 1952. They resided in her Belmar Mansion, a replica of Marie Antoinette’s Petit Trianon at Versailles. Stanton became a well-recognized interior designer who worked internationally, as well as for President Harry S. Truman during renovation and reconstruction of the White House from 1949-1952. After May’s death in 1962, he founded the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, which supports arts, culture, community service, science and medicine in Denver.
While the COVID-19 pandemic continues, public events frequently are canceled or rescheduled. Check with organizers before you go. Masks and proof of vaccination are standard at all venues listed.