Have you missed stopping in at the ArtQuesta gallery or wondered what the future holds for two of our wonderful Questa artists who owned it? This August at least, you can find Sandra and Roger Harrington at the Questa Art Tour. Former OCHO co-owner and working artist Barrie Andrews has opened her El Rito studio and home to host three additional artists, all of whom lost their tour location after the sale of the ArtQuesta gallery this past spring.
In addition to the Harringtons, you can find painter Ken Geisen here at the newly named Virsylvia Studios. Barrie had formerly shown on her own during the tour, with an outdoor ramada exhibiting her colorful, fused-glass jewelry and decorative pieces that echo the style of her nationally-renowned monoprints. This display space was located just behind her studio outbuilding where the kiln and glass materials could be examined by eager visitors.
This summer, Barrie is rearranging the furniture, clearing the balcony, and erecting gridwork in her home to exhibit the popular paintings of Roger and Ken for the Art Tour. Sandra’s pottery will be on display in the living room. With so much talent in one place, plus the stunning views over the valley, our tour’s stop #13 is sure to be popular. Our village is blessed to have so many talented residents and neighbors eager to share their work during the art tour.
This generosity of spirit and willingness to go the extra mile is what community is all about. In previous years, visitors enjoyed watching Ken Geisen at his easel set up on the porch of Art Questa. This year, we are hoping the weather allows him to do the same on Barrie’s lovely balcony. This space has wide, glass doors that open into her home, so scooting inside quickly in case of rain will be an option. Ken’s oil paintings are not to be missed, they are full of deep expressionistic color and are rich with western scenery.
The paintings of Roger Harrington that will be on display adjacent to Ken’s are a contrast of softer colors with mixed media utilized to build complexity to his oil and watercolor works.
Roger has also been returning to his abstract art roots, producing beautiful pieces in addition to his local landscapes. Roger, as many of us know, is also a jeweler. Local customers of ArtQuesta have enjoyed buying or at least coveting his earrings and bracelets of sterling silver combined with copper and bronze in his one-of-a-kind pieces.
Equally one-of-a-kind are Sandra’s pottery pieces. Her work, fired at 2400 degrees in a special wood-burning kiln, has an earthy, rustic appeal, while the beautiful deep blue glazes with copper, green, rust, and gold highlights of her electric-fired pieces are a signature look for Sandra. These are fired at a slightly lower temperature that allows for the brighter color. Her works range from affordable mugs to show-stopping vases and vessels.
Art tour volunteer management worked hard this spring to find locations for orphaned painters and potters, leatherworkers, and jewelry designers in addition to an increased number of new local artists. This, our tenth-anniversary Questa Art Tour, is shaping up to be a fabulous, varied, even bigger event that expresses well Questa’s talent and good will. Don’t miss it: the weekend of August 9 and 10. Get brochures, information on hubs, and more at QuestaCreativeCouncil.org.
