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FREETIME: Artists invited for first-ever Gateway Canyons ‘paint-out’ event

Tracy Dvorak
tdvorak@gjfreepress.com
A watercolor depicting Gateway Canyons by Grand Junction artist Frank Francese NWS. See more of his watercolors at www.ffrancese.com.
Submitted photo |

GO&DO

WHAT: Gateway Canyons Labor Day Paint-Out

WHEN: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 31 & 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 1

WHERE: Gateway Canyons Resort amphitheatre

COST: Free

INFO: 866-671-4733, http://www.gatewaycanyons.com

Artists are invited to paint the red-rock splendor of Gateway Canyons at an upcoming plein air event.

Organizer Frank Francese hopes to attract artists of all skills and mediums to the first-ever Gateway Canyons Labor Day Paint-Out Aug. 31 through Sept. 1.

“The idea is get every artist in town together in one little corner,” to promote the arts, meet new people and exchange ideas, Francese said.



Gateway, according to Francese, is an inspiring place to create.

“The wonderful sandstone cliffs towering over the sparse meadowlands are spectacular. The meadowlands are full of cactus and pinyon trees and in some areas, there are cattle roaming the countryside,” he said.



Francese, an acclaimed local watercolorist, will be a featured painter along with Montrose artists Dino Farnese (oils) and Kurt Isgreen (watercolor), and Jac Kephart (pastel) and Terry Shepherd (pottery), both of Grand Junction.

The paint-out will be held at the resort’s amphitheatre. Saturday painting runs from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday painters will gather from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Artists should arrive early to find that perfect spot for inspiration, and bring their own materials.

An exhibition and reception by the featured artists will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. Aug. 31 in the resort’s Kayenta conference room.

Come one day or both days, added Francese. The event is free, however, lunch will be available for purchase.

“It’s going to be a wonderful event,” he said.

The paint-out event, which will be held yearly, is part of Gateway Canyons Resort owner John Hendricks’ plan to make the destination an arts and cultural learning and discovery hub, Francese said.


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