FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jan Mellor, Owner 575.758.3911 thetaosgallery@taosnet.com www.thetaosgallery.com
Nine the taos gallery Artists Selected for 2008 Taos Invites Taos
(Taos, New Mexico, August 25, 2008) the taos gallery is proud to announce that nine of its represented artists have been selected to present artwork at the prestigious Taos Invites Taos. One of three exhibitions of the annual Fall Arts Festival, participation in the Taos Invites Taos event is by invitation only and open solely to artists who have lived and worked in Taos County for five years or more. “We are of course very pleased and honored to have such a wide number of our artists selected to be in the Taos Invites Taos,” said Jan Mellor, owner of the taos gallery. “The Fall Arts Festival is an important event for the Taos art community and to have such a strong representation from our gallery is a great privilege.” The artists selected to participate in Taos Invites Taos are: Leigh Gusterson: Leigh has lived in Taos for over 20 years and has become one of the taos gallery’s most popular artists. Known for her vibrant, whimsical portrayals of local landscapes, Leigh has come to be an iconic painter of the colors and contours of the joyous Southwest. Leigh has been part of Taos Invites Taos for eight years and feels “the Invite is an exciting venue to see what every artist in
Taos is doing; I always put my best work in the show.”
Richard & Tupper Hawley: The husband and wife team of Richard and Tupper Hawley are long time participants in Taos Invites Taos. The couple combines their talents to create beautifully unique crosses of metal mosaic or painting on copper in addition to raku pottery. Richard and Tupper love the Fall Arts Festival calling it “a harvest of creativity.” Winners of several awards of previous Taos Invites Taos events, the Hawleys always prepare something special for the event. “I love it,” says Tupper. “It’s a show that makes you do something.” Issa de Nicola: The soft-spoken spirit of Issa de Nicola is an immediate draw for admirers of his work. Feelings of joy, mystery and freedom are often evoked in his paintings which are beautiful creations that reveal the unique and striking ways Issa perceives and paints the high desert landscape of southwest New Mexico. “I paint out of the search for beauty and for the transformational effects of that search,” says Issa. “To be a part of Taos Invites Taos is a way to continue that search and that connection, to see what other artists are creating and expressing and to offer my perception to them in the hope that we may all be inspired and transformed.” Tom Rogers: Tom has been creating contemporary oil paintings in Taos, New Mexico since 1989. His photorealistic style approaches still life with a profound sense of detail and a dash of humor. Trained at the School of Art at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, Rogers has lived, worked and shown his paintings in Taos, Miami, Atlanta, and the New York City area. When asked about the show, Tom replied, “My paintings will be hanging side by side with some stupendous artwork and furniture and sharing space
with some very wonderful other artists. It's a great thing to be part of. I am honored and grateful and I've worked hard to get here.” Steven Gootgeld: The winner of two “Best Sculpture” awards in Taos Invites Taos 2000 and 2001, Steven is proud to return to Taos Invites Taos this year with his first love: abstract sculpture. “The excitement of being accepted based on my true love, abstract sculpture, is a dream come true!” says Steven. “I am very grateful and honored to be selected from among the hundreds of Taos artists to participate in the Invite. It will undoubtedly be a grand cross-section of the spectrum of visual arts this town has to offer the world.” Mary Ann Warner: Another popular the taos gallery artist, Mary Ann Warner is a plein air painter, who feels there is nothing like being out in nature in the beautiful southwest and painting. Her goal is to capture some essence of the elements: the wind moving through the trees, the warmth of the red earth, the coolness of the shadows. Mary Ann is honored to be part of this prestigious art show. “Every year I look forward to seeing the growth and direction everyone's art is taking them. It is always exciting for me to try something new and to see what everyone else is doing too.” Mary Dolph Wood: "I am pleased to be included in Taos Invites Taos,” Mary said after being
selected. “I am an artist that has gleaned much inspiration from the many talented artists here in Taos and it is a pleasure to be included among my colleagues.” Mary is known for her subtle layers and shadow work in her paintings. A local resident for nearly thirty years, the influence of Taos’ environment and artistic culture are a key component of Mary’s work.
Nancy Delpero: Nancy is “delighted” to be asked to exhibit work by her peers. An artist from a very young age, Nancy paints from life whether it be landscape or still life. Her intention is to capture and distill the subtle connection and energy in all subjects, which she believes can only be found through direct and immediate experience of the subject matter. James Rannefeld: the taos gallery is particularly honored to present James Rannedfeld who will also be in the "Living Masters" show in the Fall Arts Festival. James has been working with wood since 1972, first as a carpenter, then cabinetmaker, door manufacturer, furniture designer and now sculptor. Since 1994, James has been working in the UNM-Taos Woodworking program where he is Associate Professor and head of the Trades and Industries Academy. James is honored to be selected for the "Living Masters" show during the Fall Arts Festival: “After 34 years of woodworking in Taos, I am grateful for the support of the community and the opportunity to have a fulfilling art career.” the taos gallery is located at 103 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571. Acquired in November 2007 by new owner Jan Mellor, the gallery is committed to honoring, cultivating and continuing the legacy of fine arts in Taos. Visit www.thetaosgallery.com for more information on the gallery and to view the artists currently presenting.