TWO EVENTS OFFERED JANUARY 6TH FIRST FRIDAY 2012

 Birds of a Feather                                   © by Sylvia Falconer

Looking Through the Kaliedescope, Mixed Media Collage and Assemblage, an art exhibit by Sylvia Falconer, at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Greeley, 929 15^th St. and 10^th Ave. The artist will be present to talk with the public on First Friday Jan 6 from 5 to 6:30 pm. The Exhibit will continue through January 22, 2012. (a change to the previously scheduled exhibit) Open also Sundays 10:30 am-12 noon. 

To read about Ms Falconer's background,  please see the previous post.

Write with Matches, a performance of original poetry by young performance poets, including slam poetry  is planned for the last half of the First Friday event, 6:30 until 8 pm or so. Donations encouraged. Sponsored by Chalice Arts.

Images shown on this site are the sole Copyright  © of the Artist creating the work.

Looking Through the Kaliescope

 
Looking Through the Kaliedescope, Mixed Media Collage and Assemblage, an art exhibit by Sylvia Falconer, at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Greeley, 929 15^th  St. and 10^th Ave. First Friday artist reception Dec. 2 from 5 to 8 pm. The Artist will speak about her work at 7 pm. The Exhibit will continue through January 29, 2012. Open also Sundays 10:30 am-12 noon, sponsored by Chalice Arts.

 

Sylvia Falconer's Background:

Sylvia Falconer has followed a career as a minister, a writer and a speaker. She has become well known in Greeley as a minister and a writer. In addition to raising a family, she has spent 23 years as a Unitarian Minister. She has taught, counseled, has had two TV programs, and has lived in several different places in her life so far, including Seattle, the Netherlands, and Alaska.

Ms Falconer has been moved by art since she was a child, and it has been part of her life everywhere she has been, spending time studying, collecting art or supporting artists where she has lived.

Seventeen years ago, she developed Essential Tremor, which affected her voice and hands. She continued her ministry in spite of the devastating loss of the ability to speak, through writing for various publications, including Faith columns in the Greeley Tribune. After a friend suggested she experiment with art, she decided to try, and began with fabric collage. Thus began Sylvia’s expression through art.

“With my shaky hands, the cutting and placement was difficult, yet the joy of creating a story with fabric, paper, paints, or whatever trinkets I found filled me with delight.  I was creating something, not with words (though you’ll find words therein), but with a whole different part of my senses.” ,

Recent Art Experience:

The content of Sylvia’s work is related to all of her life experiences, including  family, feminism, and social justice, and simply the joy of creating beauty. She loves experimenting with various media. Sylvia has exhibited her artistic work now for around seven years, receiving awards  in Art from the Heart Competitions and Senior Exhibits, for her work in mixed media, collage, assemblage, oils and acrylics.

Deep  Brain Stimulation Surgery has enabled her to speak again, to use her hands, to write, and to create artwork with more dexterity, which she expects to continue for the rest of her life.

The Joy of Song on First Friday, Nov. 4

"The Joy of Song," a performance by the Unitarian-Universalist choir will be offered as part of the 50^th Anniversary Celebration of the church. Six choral pieces by thirteen singers, interspersed with instrumental music by four other musicians is planned. Begins promptly at 7 pm  on First Friday Nov. 4, at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Greeley, at 929 15^th St and 10^th Ave.  The public is welcome. A reception is included. "Art and Images of Unitarian -Universalism," an exhibit of collages and artifacts curated and assembled by Judith Meyers hangs on the walls through November. Guests are invited to visit the collection between 6 and 7 pm before the concert. (Exhibit is also open Sunday mornings, 10:30 am–noon through Nov. 28.

Art and Images of Unitarian Universalism: Fifty Years of liberal religion in Greeley.

            The Unitarian Universalist Church of Greeley is marking its 50th anniversary this year with an exhibition in the sanctuary of the church depicting its history, as well as many other

related events, and special speakers.

            The 50th Anniversary Celebration will open on Saturday September 24, with a public reception and celebration from 6 to 8 pm. Special guest Neal Carpenter of Colorado Springs, one of the original founders of the church will be present. Dr. Denise Hall, a former member will speak and sing at that program.

              Much of the history of the church spans a much earlier time (1880 on), and is interwoven with the history of the evolving community of Greeley. Residents of the city interested in Greeley's history should enjoy both the images and the information Judith Meyers will also present in a historic review of the church to the present, to be presented at 7 pm on  First Friday Oct. 7, 2011.

            The Exhibit is curated by Judith Meyers, a Unitarian Universalist Church member since 1964. Meyers is been a practicing artist and art educator, who has designed a number of church and community quilt and wall hanging projects. She is a member of Madison and Main Gallery, where she exhibits drawings, watercolors, fiber pieces and paper cuts. She holds two degrees from the University of Minnesota and has taught art at various levels for many years.

            The exhibit collection contains 8 banners, three quilts, numerous photographs, photographic collages, and mementos from the past.

              A special feature of the show is a quilt borrowed from the Greeley History Museum created in 1902 by women of the Unitarian Universalist Church which existed in Greeley from 1880 to 1938.  The current church was founded as a fellowship in 1961 and today is located at  15th Street and 10th Ave.

               The exhibit can be visited on Sundays beginning Sept 25 through November 26th  from 10 am until noon, and on First Friday Oct. 7, 2011, from 6 to 8 pm, and First Friday Nov.4 TBA. The address is 929 15th St, and 10th Ave. Greeley, CO. 80631. Ph 351-6751 or 970-352-9530

Submitted by Ruth Zachary, Chalice Arts Coordinator, UUCG.

SEPTEMBER 2 FIRST FRIDAY EXHIBIT AND PROGRAM,

Story Quilts and the Underground Railroad

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The Story In The Quilt, a special exhibit and presentation, including musical interpretation will be offered by quilt-maker Corrine Cummins-Dietz and vocalist Jeanie Snyder. The first presentation will begin at 7 pm ,and the second presentation about other story quilts on display will start at around 7:30 pm. This First Friday Exhibit will be open September 2, 2011, from 5 until 8pm at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Greeley, 929 15th St., Greeley, 80631, sponsored by Chalice Arts, a committee of the UU Church. Open also on Sunday Sept. 4, following church from 11:30 to12:30. This exhibit ends Sept. 5th.

The first presentation, featuring The Underground Quilt is based on the Underground Railroad.[1]  Twelve quilt blocks containing the “ secret quilt  codes” will be displayed to accompany the commentary.  After the “secret code” of each quilt block is explained, a Spiritual with the same message will be sung. The “secret quilt codes” will take the listener from the “gather your tools” time to the “home in heaven” time.            

The story of the Underground Railroad is also used as a vehicle to address some current social issues.

Ms. Dietz will talk briefly about story quilts and the piecing techniques used in the wall hangings in the second part of her presentation.

Corrine (Corki) Cummins-Dietz, the story teller, is a retired fifth grade teacher.  She taught in a bilingual/bicultural classroom.  She has always enjoyed telling stories and/or doing dramatizations to make history come alive.  Since retirement Ms. Cummins-Dietz has presented several of her stories at nursing/assisted living facilities, and other organizations in Greeley. Ms Dietz has loved sewing since early in life.  Later, this turned into a passion for quilting. As a teacher she was known for her pieced/quilted clothing that coordinated with the  various units being taught. Many of  her quilts/quilted wall hangings tell a story.              

Jeanie Snyder, the vocalist, has been singing all her life. Currently, she is a member of the First United Methodist Church choir.  She periodically entertains at various nursing/assisted living facilities. Ms. Snyder has performed in several Greeley Stampede Troupe productions. She was  the Bird of Samarkand in “Once Upon a Mattress," Mrs. Bumble in “Oliver”, and Miss Hannigan in “Annie”.  Ms Snyder enjoys supporting Ms Cummins-Dietz in her quilt history presentations.  

The Images above are the exclusive Copyright © of Corrinne  Cummins-Dietz and may not be reproduced without written permission from the artist.

A Moment In Time -Richard and Marcy Trahan Photography

A Moment in Time, Photography by Richard and Marcy Trahan will be on exhibit July 1 through August 28 at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Greeley at 929 15^th Street and 10^th Avenue in Greeley. The public is invited to the opening and reception from 5 to 8 pm on First Friday, July 1. The artists will be available to talk with the public, and will speak more formally about their work at 7 pm. Additional hours to view the work on Friday July 15 from 5-8 and First Friday August 5 from 5-7 will be arranged. Visitors may also see the show from 11:30 am to 12:30 on Sundays in July. The Exhibit is sponsored by Chalice Arts and UUCG.

Anyone who appreciates monumental landscape photography will not want to miss seeing this show!. The team included this quote about their theme for their exhibit, A Moment in Time, “a photographic image not only provides an impression of what exists, but it also illustrates a personal interpretation of place and captures that unique moment in time that will never come again.”

As long-time outdoor enthusiasts, they continue to explore the wonders of nature and push themselves to improve their photographic skills both with the camera and with the digital potentials of the computer.  Their work has been recognized with awards regionally for the unique ways in which they capture the spirit of the wild.  Recently in 2010,  Richard was awarded Best of Show by the Photographic Society of America Electronic Imagining Division. 

Fans may have seen their striking images previously in local exhibits of their work at Family of Christ Presbyterian Church, at the Farr Library, in the Mari Michener Gallery, at the James A. Michener Library and in Tointon Gallery at the UCCC in 2009/2010, as well as at the Greeley Medical Clinic at Centerra. Their work has been displayed in other area cities as well . 

The experienced talents of these two local artists are truly a gift to our community. Richard has written monthly articles for the Greeley Tribune on digital photography.  Both Rich and Marcy teach a “Digital Photography 101” course for Aims Community College Continuing Education to assist beginning photographers on how to get the most out of their digital cameras. Both are active in the Loveland Photographic Society as judges for club photo competitions and as photography field trip leaders/mentors.

Images and text on this site are the © Copyright of Richard and Marcy Trahan, and may not be used for any purpose without their permission.

Art That Speaks

A Children's Art Exhibit

Unitarian-Universalist Youth brought their art creations to be exhibited on the Sanctuary walls for May through June 29. The challenge for all ages was to think about what their art means, and what it says. A further task for conceptualizing art imagery was to try to see if the art illustrated one or more of the seven principles that are the foundation of Unitarian-Unitarian practice and standards for living.

These Principles are stated in an abbreviated form as follows:

*Belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

*Justice equity and compassion in human relations.

*Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations.

*A free and responsible search for truth and meaning.

*The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.

*The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.

*Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.


Chalice Arts was formed to encourage spiritual growth through creative expression. We hope to present a variety of art forms, visual arts, literary arts, music, dramatic and performance arts and more, which are open to the public, to encourage a dialogue between artists of various art forms and the public, with a goal of enrichment for all. The group is open to non-church members.

I Never Saw Another Butterfly

A Holocaust Memorial Exhibit, “I Never Saw Another Butterfly,” will be on display from Sunday April 17^th through Sunday, May 8^th at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greeley, at 929 15^th St and 10^th Ave. This exhibit is one of many Greeley Holocaust Memorial Observances to be sponsored in several places in town in the next few weeks.

A well-known book of poetry, an anthology of poems written by or about children at the Terezin concentration camp in the Holocaust, is called “I Never Saw Another Butterfly,” edited by Hana Velovkova.

Based on this book, and the terrible facts of the Holocaust, Greeley school children  have created butterflies to remember the lives of children who lived in those harsh times.

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Chalice Arts (of UUCG) will feature a collection of posters from several years  of past Holocaust memorial observances, and will also show a number of hand made art and origami butterflies made by Greeley school children to memorialize those who lived or died during the Holocaust.

The public is welcomed to visit the exhibit on First Friday, May 6, 2011 from 5 to 7 pm. People are also invited to visit

the exhibit on Sundays following the service from 12 to 1pm.

The exhibit continues through May 8.

Image above, Two Rabbis and the Art Piece at Right are the ©Copyright of

the artists who created them, owned by Beth Israel Synagogue on Reservoir Road in Greeley, and are included here only for the purpose of publicizing this Exhibit event. Other use of these images is strictly forbidden.

A Little Bit of Magic

Second Saturday Writers Group from Greeley, will share their writing and perform a little bit of magic,  on First Friday, May 6 from 7 to 8 pm. at the Unitarian Universalist Church. The location is at 929 15^th St and 10^th Avenue.

Some of these writers are published, and their books will be available. The member’s works span a range of writing genres and styles, from short stories to humorous essays to poetry. There may even be a little magic in the mix.

The group of around ten members has met monthly for about ten years on Second Saturday mornings a 9 am. at the New Life Church on 47^th St. The group is open to new members.

There will be no admission charge, although donations to Chalice Arts, which sponsors various arts events, are appreciated.

 by Chalice Arts Coordinator

Fred Myers Exhibit, March through April 11

Fred Myers, Florida.                                                        ©Fred Myers

"Reflections and Recollections: Works Through Time," an exhibit of Fred Myer’s work is on display currently in the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Greeley at 929 15^th St and 10^th Ave. Fred will be attendance at a reception to be held from 5 to 8 pm on First Friday, April 1^st. Additional hours to view the show will be from 12 to 3 pm on Saturday, April 2,  and Sunday, April 3,  from 12 to 3 pm. and on other Sundays from 12 to 1pm. It is rumored that a spontaneous blue grass jam may occur after 7pm.

Fred's exhibit features a collection of past and present works that span the range of oil painting, oil pastel, pastel and graphite (pencil). Subjects include numerous landscapes and some figurative work. Those familiar with his work will not want to miss this rare opportunity to see his unique vision, once again.

Myers has lived for several years with his wife Judith in Pensacola, Florida. He is an active member of the Plein Air Artists of Pensacola, where he continues to use his eye for composition and form, his vision of light and his appreciation of color to create extraordinary images of even common subjects.

Fred Myers is professor emeritus of drawing and painting from the University of Northern Colorado, where his commitment to sharing his passion and talent for art inspired students and colleagues for over 26 years. Myers taught drawing and painting in the Department of Visual Arts until 1994.He holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts degree from Auburn University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in painting from the University of Oklahoma.

Myers' work has been included in juried and group exhibitions in Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Indiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Illinois, Texas, Washington, D.C., Wyoming and in Florence, Italy. His work is in a number of public collections including the University of Oklahoma, the Springfield Art Museum in Springfield, Missouri, Del Mar College in San Antonio, Texas, New Mexico State University and the University of Northern Colorado. His work is also in numerous private collections all over the United States.

The Exhibit is sponsored by Chalice Arts, a committee of the Unitarian/Universalist Church of Greeley. 

The Image and Writing on this post are the Copyright of © Fred Myers, used here by his permission.

Chalice Arts Author Presentation March 4

Skipping Stones –

Karen Griffiths, a fourth generation Coloradan, will offer a program touching points connecting poetry, oral history, and even splashing upon research based non-fiction on March 4, at 7 pm at the UU Church of Greeley,  at  929 15^th St and 10^th Avenue, Greeley, CO. 

Karen’s Writing has appeared in many Coloradan newspapers  and  publications. She was invited as one of eight speakers invited to present for the Mountain Plains Library Association’s program, Country School Legacy; Humanities on the Frontier, directed by Andrew Gulliford, funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

A retired teacher, Karen resides in Johnstown and in Ouray Colorado. Karen is also a lifetime founding member of the Johnstown Historical Society. At present, she is establishing a poetry performance outreach group, Voices of Poetry, for the Johnstown- Milliken communities that offers poetry events each April in recognition of National Poetry Month. She is also a member of the Greeley Poetry Club.

Karen is currently working on a manuscript that focuses on facts, figures and personal stories about the land and land use connected to three irrigation systems of Larimer and Weld Counties, covering over ten decades of history.

In 2008, Western Reflections Publishing Company released Karen’s non-fiction book, Reflections on Lake Lenore. Karen’s historical prose flows through the pages of this book, capturing the past, present and possible future of the Lake Lenore community on Colorado’s Western slope.

  © Contributed by Karen Griffiths
                                                                                               

The event is sponsored by Chalice Arts. on March 4, open from 5 to 8 pm, There will also be an exhibit of Fred Myers’s paintings, March 4 – April 11. Fred Myers will talk about his work on April 1, with more information to follow, closer to his event.

Chalice Arts Exhibit Feb. 4, at UU Church of Greeley.

Montage and Metaphor, an exhibit of montages by Ruth Zachary continues through February. Her richly detailed works in photo montage, collage and etching may be viewed at the Unitarian-Universalist Church on Feb. 4, First Friday, from 5 to 8 pm. at 929 15^th St and 10^th Avenue. The exhibit began in January and continues to the end of February, open also on Sundays following church services from 11am. to noon.

Montage, with the layering of imagery suggests visual metaphors, to convey ideas and emotion, much as metaphor does in writing. Interspersed with her visual images, she has included poems, dealing with topics often stimulated by similar experiences to convey the relationship between the different creative processes.  

Music by Claire Barta on Violin and Kristina Bain on Flute will be performed between 6:30 and 7pm. Ms Zachary will be available from 5 to 6 and from 7 until 8 to answer questions about content of her work and techniques used.

The solo show is sponsored by Chalice Arts, a group formed to promote opportunities for interaction between various artists of different art forms and to stimulate creative dialogue both for artists and the community. Ms Zachary is coordinator of the group at this time.

Ms Zachary has lived in Greeley since 2004, moving from Michigan that year. She has been active in two Greeley Arts Organizations and in two writing groups since 2005,