|
Maker of the Month: Julia Dourgarian
Each month, the Art Spot Silverthorne Makerspace highlights a Maker of the Month to showcase the talented artists and creators in our community.
Artist Julia Dourgarian began drawing in elementary school, eventually studying fine arts in middle and high school. Later, she majored in hand-drawn animation and had a career in motion graphics before transitioning to outdoor recreation. Throughout her life, she has consistently explored various crafts, including painting, printmaking, whittling, stop-motion animation, and embroidery.
"I was always drawn to hobbies that were both creative and physically engaging/textural/sculptural," says Julia. "Although I always received positive responses and encouragement from my community, a fear of eventual failure and anxiety about waste kept me from pursuing any extracurricular skills beyond a hobby."
Julia began practicing ceramics at the Art Spot as a distraction from a period of grief in her personal life.
"With ceramics, I found I didn't have any fear of failure or waste, and the focus required for the craft was an emotional relief. It was very addictive to throw any number of pots and scrap 95% of them to be recycled into new attempts. It was the first time in art that I felt like the products of my failure were as functional as my successes. Nothing could have prepared me for the joy I would get from my own pots. Silly little handles, charming glaze details, dainty shapes - they all started as experiments and ultimately became my source of happiness during a difficult time. I lovingly refer to my pots as handsome little guys," says Julia.
At the Art Spot, Julia enjoys the accessibility and equipment offerings that remove any barriers, allowing her to jump right into experimenting. She relies on ceramics for her mental health, as well as the community that the Art Spot provides. "The Art Spot resembles the creative and collaborative artist environments from my fine arts education and career," she says. "Sometimes I go into the studio ready to dial in and focus on throwing by myself, only to find a crowd around newly fired pieces discussing how and why they got their results. I may be self-taught, but I learned faster with the Art Spot’s engaging community."
Julia's work is on display at the Art Spot Maker's Market and her motion graphics work can be found at juliadourgarian.com.
|
|
|
Wednesday, June 18 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Neils Lunceford
Join Neils Lunceford and the Art Spot and discover the joys of gardening in this hands-on class. Participants will create their own 14-inch patio pot in a sustainable fiber container. Choose from a variety of annual flowers, herbs, and vegetables to bring your pot to life. This class is designed for all skill levels and will be informative and relaxing.
Saturday, June 21 from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Celebrate your furry (or feathered!) friends with a heartwarming watercolor pet portrait class for all experience levels. This class will guide you through the process of capturing your pet’s unique personality using expressive watercolor techniques.
Sunday, June 29 through Tuesday, July 1 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Join the Art Spot for a 3-day outdoor mural camp. Kids will learn the process of designing, sketching, and painting a final mural on the Art Spot's outdoor expression wall.
|
|
Wednesday, June 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Thirsty Pika Taproom
Join the Art Spot staff for a fun craft night at Thirsty Pika Taproom on Wednesday, June 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. Participants will enjoy an evening of crafts and drinks while they make their own stamped copper bracelet.
Friday, June 27 from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Explore stamping letters and designs into copper to create a beautiful, one-of-a-kind piece, that brings along the healing properties of copper. Learn about cutting, shaping and stamping metal, and the annealing and patina effects of copper.
Tuesday, July 1, 8, and 15 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Master the art of oil painting during a 3-week painting course. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this hands-on oil painting series is designed to guide you through the fundamentals and beyond.
|
|
The Silverthorne Art Board seeks artists to install artwork on trail posts along the Blue River Trail. These installations can be created in the medium of the artist's choice and examples of what the Art Board is looking for include, but are not limited to, painting, yarn bombing, mosaics, wheat pasting, moss painting, wood carving, die cuts, etc. The project’s goal is to add vibrancy to Silverthorne’s trail system, encourage people to recreate along the Blue River, and transform utilitarian objects into eye-catching attractions that enhance the beauty of Silverthorne’s downtown area.
Artist applications are due Friday, June 20. Learn more about Art Along the Blue Trail Post Project and apply here.
|
The Silverthorne Art Board invites artists to install murals on pre-assembled mural stands during the Town of Silverthorne’s August First Friday Block Party event on Friday, August 1, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. These mural installations will later be displayed along the Blue River Trail for up to three years.
The overall theme should incorporate visual “living eulogies” about Silverthorne. These murals should convey a sense of painted admiration for life in Silverthorne, displaying tributes to the things we love about our town and to pay homage to what is here while it lasts. Beautiful parks, natural landscapes, art (spots) and recreation (centers), First Fridays or Celebrations, we want artists to share what speaks to them about Silverthorne.
In addition to the mural’s final location along the Blue River Trail, the murals will also be displayed at the Silverthorne Pavilion on August 28 as part of the Future Town Tour event, presented by Warm Cookies of the Revolution. The August 28 Future Town Tour event at the Silverthorne Pavilion is titled “Living Eulogies,” and artists are invited to share their tributes to Silverthorne and their artistic stories during the event, if interested.
|
Sunday, June 22 along the Blue River Trail
Enjoy a stroll through Silverthorne on Sunday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and experience pop-up artists, musicians, and all types of makers at the Sunday Maker's Market. This is an excellent time to gather with friends and neighbors and support local artists, makers, and musicians while taking in the sounds and sights of the Blue River. The June Maker's Market will take place along the Blue River Trail from the Silverthorne Pavilion to Chipotle.
|
Monday, June 30 on the Silverthorne Performing Arts Center Lawn
Join the National Repertory Orchestra for a free chamber group concert on the Silverthorne Performing Arts Center outdoor stage on Monday, June 30, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Please bring your chair or blanket for seating.
|
Fourth of July Festivities in Silverthorne
Friday, July 4 at Rainbow Park
Looking for a fun way to kick off a holiday weekend? Silverthorne’s annual Fourth of July celebration will last all day this year, with a patriotic concert in the morning and a First Friday concert in the evening! All activities will take place at Rainbow Park.
National Repertory Orchestra Fourth of July Concert
Enjoy a free concert from the National Repertory Orchestra on Friday, July 4, from 10 a.m. to noon to celebrate the Fourth of July. Enjoy patriotic songs from the NRO, free kids' activities and more during this community celebration. Please bring your own blankets and chairs for seating.
|
First Friday Concert with Robert Randolph
Celebrate July First Friday with a free community concert featuring Robert Randolph on Friday, July 4, at Rainbow Park from 6 to 9 p.m. Enjoy live music from Robert Randolph and the Horizon Line Band, free kids' activities like face painting, inflatable activities, and more at this summer celebration.
|
|
|
New Studio Artist at the Art Spot: Jennifer Baker
 |
|
A seasoned oil painter whose journey spans continents, mountain towns and decades of creative exploration, Jennifer Baker has a deep connection to the natural world and a passion for expression. Now, as one of the newest studio artists at the Art Spot, Jennifer brings her enthusiasm and energy to Silverthorne’s growing arts community.
|
|
|
|
|
|
