I wanted to say Thank You to everyone who came down to the Among Friends Art Show and Sale at Chad’s house!

Our sale went really well- there was a good turnout of friends that have become customers and customers who have become friends.

Thank you for sponsoring creativity and community, and supporting local artists by buying and giving handmade.

I hope to see all of you again next year.

Thank you, Thank you again!!

It’s that time of year again. We are having our Among Friends Show and Sale. This year it will be at 714 Sun Valley Dr. Saturday, December 5, from 12 – 7.

Check out Chad’s and Maura’s Blogs.

[caption id="attachment_55" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="Emma showing her Grandmother some of Maura's beautiful pots."][/caption]

I wanted to say Thank You to everyone who came down to the Among Friends Art Show and Sale at the Historic Plains Hotel! We had an amazing turnout! Thank you to our friends who braved the wind, the cold, and the snow, and to the people who set out on treacherous roads to drive over the hill from Laramie, to support us.

The Among Friends Five: Chad Blakely, Maura Jacobsen, Eric Lee, Lynn Newman, and myself, are extremely pleased how our first holiday sale turned out. We’ve decided to make it an annual event. I hope to see all of you again next year.

Our reception seemed for me to be a great celebration of a year of art making, coming off our lovely and successful holiday sale this past weekend, I realized how nice it was to talk and reconnect with friends, neighbors, collectors.
Thank you, Thank you again!!

Here is Maura’s news release that didn’t get published in the paper. She did such a nice job of writing it up I wanted it to be published somewhere. I wish I would have thought of it earlier. Oh well next year I’ll be more on top of things!!!

“Among Friends Art Exhibit” brings local artists together for the Holiday Season

CHEYENNE, WY – Five award-winning artists under one roof! “Among Friends Art Exhibit and Sale” will feature work by local artists Chad Blakely, Maura Jacobsen, Eric Lee, Lynn Newman and Connie Norman. All artists live in the Cheyenne area and convey five very distinct styles to the show. There are, however a few common threads that link them and bring the show together into one spectacular event. A contemporary edge, strong use of color, and text unify this diverse group.

Chad Blakely’s work is influenced by his love of pop culture, comic books, and toys from his childhood. The black and white ink drawings with the subtle use of color represent the memories of his youth that seem distant yet vibrant. Chad has been teaching in Cheyenne for the past nine years and is currently teaching art at Carey Junior High.

Eric Lee’s inspiration comes from musical lyrics and poetry. His techniques involve collage, oil pastel and integrating new art media such as Mylar film and stencils to create text. Many of his images come from driving the highway and listening to music. Eric has been teaching for the past eight years and he is currently teaching art at Central High School.

Maura Jacobsen has been a studio potter for the past ten years. All of her work is hand thrown and hand painted stoneware. It is made for everyday life. The fun patterns and sayings are a reflection of where she lives and the silly things her children say. She loves to take images from life, simplify them, paint in a little color, go against the rules and make people smile.

Lynn Newman’s paintings are about the use of color to investigate the nature of our western landscape. He likes to create an emotional response by the use of expressive brushwork and dynamic color, in ways that relate to everyday experiences. “I hope that individuals can easily identify with my work – each in their own unique way. This, for me, is the nature of art.” Lynn has been teaching for the past 20 years and is currently the Art Coordinator for Laramie County School District #1; he also teaches at Central High School.

Connie Norman is fascinated by the rhythmic qualities created by color, texture, and patterns. “All my life I have struggled with writing; now my pottery is completely covered in text, allowing me to experiment in different art forms, and face fears through my art medium.” Her greatest satisfaction comes from thoroughly filling surfaces with color and finely detailed decoration in a spirit that is playful and whimsical. Her attempt is to make the environment an expressive participant and to address the importance of aesthetics in our daily lives. Connie Norman has been teaching for the past nine years and currently teaches art at Carey Junior High.

The Exhibit and Sale will take place at The Historic Plains Hotel on Friday, November 28th and Saturday, November 29th from 10am to 7pm in the Powder River Room. All exhibited artwork will be available for sale at any time during the event. Come enjoy the art on display, or take some home for your very own.