March 12, 2008

Fine Art from Nine Local Artists Fills Walls at Convention Offices in Denver's Civic Center Plaza

DENVER - Looking to showcase Colorado's rich culture, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) has selected works from nine local artists for display at the Convention headquarters in Denver. Colorado artists with works on display include John Fielder, Andy Baird, Jean Brodie, Mark Brodie, Greg Evans, Stacy Lewis, Dave Ryan, Jared Steinberg and Amy Thornton.

"We're so blessed to be surrounded by these beautiful paintings and photographs," said Leah D. Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC. "Our staff is working long hours in preparation for the Convention, and I can't think of a better backdrop for that hard work than inspiration from artists right here in Colorado. And now the steady stream of visitors through our offices, from local allies to national Party officials, will have the same opportunity to see some of Colorado's finest talent."

Tags including information about each piece and its creator hang alongside the works. The artwork will be on display at the DNCC's offices through the Convention, to be held August 25-28 in Denver.

"My work is dedicated to showcasing Colorado's sublime scenery," said renowned photographer John Fielder. "The natural beauty of this state has been an inspiration to me, and I hope my photos can do the same for others."

Some artists approached the DNCC with offers to help brighten up the bare office walls, while Convention staff simultaneously spread word through the local art community about the opportunity. Colorado artists interested in displaying their work should contact Angie Williams at the DNCC at 720-362-2008 or williamsa@demconvention.com.

Colorado artists with works on display include:
(Information culled from biographies provided by the artists)

Andrew Baird, who lives and works in Evergreen, is a fifth generation Colorado native with 30 years experience as an artist and instructor. Baird's paintings appear to resemble a Jackson Pollock style, but when the linear portrait begins to appear, it becomes clear that the content is quite different. After first creating a rough sketch of the features, he walks on the canvas and drips paint from the center out, never touching the canvas with a brush.

Jean Brodie has a Masters degree in Art Education and has been an art educator in the Colorado Public School system for 26 years. She is an active member of the Art Students League of Denver (ASLD) and a signature member of the Colorado Watercolor Society. In 2004, Brodie was presented the Triangle Award by the ASLD.

Mark Brodie has lived in Denver since 1980 and began sculpting in 1992. His works, primarily done from Colorado marble, are simple, yet dramatic. Brodie is also an accomplished photographer and recently won a competition sponsored by Black and White Magazine, where his works were selected from more than 80,000 entrants and prominently featured in the December 2006 publication. Jean and Mark Brodie reside in Golden.

Greg Evans is an internationally-collected artist whose work has appeared on magazine covers and television. His work is an explosion of color and movement. The Centennial, Colorado resident begins with an abstract background of large sweeping splashes of color to create a feeling of movement and then lets the colors blend and create themselves. Evans' dynamic, impressionist style captures "art in motion" along with the passion of people depicted in his sports and fine arts themes.

John Fielder is a nationally renowned nature photographer, publisher, teacher and preservationist. A former department store executive who turned an avocation into a career, he is the photographer of 38 exhibit format and guide books, most about his home state of Colorado. Fielder has worked tirelessly to promote the protection of Colorado's open space and wildlands. His photography has influenced people and legislation earning him recognition including the Sierra Club's Ansel Adams Award.

Stacy Lewis grew up in a family of artists and used art as a form of personal expression as she grew older. The Denver resident's paintings are heavily influenced by her Hawaiian heritage, her love of nature and her travels in the U.S. and abroad. Stacy's work is a blend of abstract impressionism and realism - using the power and vibrancy of color to transform her subjects into deeper, almost surreal expressions.

Dave Ryan uses expressionistic abstractions of landscapes, figures, botanicals, rock, sand and water in his natural paintings. No brushes are used with his technique, and the canvas is never stagnant; it is hand held or mounted in both vertical and horizontal positions during pours of paint. The Castle Rock resident's unique artistic creations have sold worldwide.

Jared Steinberg, a Denver native who lives in the River North art district (RiNo), describes his art as a study of relationships; his collection of images features water, earth, buildings, people and music. In March of 2007, his show, Slices of Denver, was featured as one of 5280 Magazine's Best Bets. One of Steinberg's pieces on display at the DNCC offices, a cityscape called "The DAM View" (Denver Art Museum), includes a depiction of the building that houses the Convention headquarters amid the Denver skyline.

Amy Thornton, a Denver resident inspired by modern dance studies, has carved out a unique calligraphic and expressionistic style. Thornton is known for her unique, energetic, "dancing" paintings that shift the energy and spirit of their environment. She specializes in creating custom residential and corporate commissions and has been collected nationally.

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About the DNCC:
The 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee is the official arm of the Democratic National Committee responsible for planning and organizing the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.