SWEETHEART OF THE ARTS DINNER & DANCE

This fundraising event on April 26th at the Durango Arts Center was held to honor me as an artist and contributor to the arts in the Durango community for over 25 years. An exhibition and silent auction of tribute artworks was also part of the evening...the artists having donated an original work of art with proceeds benefiting the Arts Center. It was an amazing exhibition by amazing artists: Judy Brey, Sandra Butler, Nancy Deacon, Ron Fundingsland, Deborah Gorton, Louise Grunewald, Chyako Hashimoto, Barbara Klema, Pat Lorenzen, Jules Masterjohn, Carol Martin, Maureen May, Mary Ellen Morrow, Mariah Mullins, Karen Pittman, Linda Robinson, and Carol Salomon. A lovely comemorative program was produced which included poems by my friends Katherine Leiner and Grace Cavalieri and images of my art over 40 years. The documentary film, "Seeing the Forest for the Trees: The Art of Mary Ellen Long" was also shown. Maureen May, my long time friend in art, gave a very touching tribute talk. Needless to say, I was humbled and very overwhelmed by this outpouring of love. The committee worked very hard to make this a memorable evening included Regina Hogan, Chair, Karen Thompson, Christina Ertezek, Linda Geer, J.M. Jones, Pat Lorenzen, Carol Ozaki, Diane Panelli, and Janice Weeks. I thank them all.
Program

Program page

Program page

Accepting my award

Husband Wendell and I beginning "The Dancing"!

5th ANNUAL EDIBLE BOOK SHOW & TEA

Our little town participated in this international event on April 4th at the Art Library, Durango Art Center, Durango, CO. A great time was had by one and all. To see examples of this art from around the world, google "edible books".

A few examples:

SEEING THE FOREST FOR THE TREES FILM UPDATE

I have just learned that Durango Community Access TV (DCAT) website has the film on Flash Media Player (which works on some computers, not mine!). One can check it out by linking to dcat.tv, clicking Web videos, then documentary...a mini version of the big screen.

ART OF NATURE: Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield

I recently completed three environmental art projects at this nature conservancy. Working with grand vistas of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains southwest of Denver, Colorado on former farmlands, my site-specific installations used indigenous materials and sod grasses.

"Nature's Calligraphy"

Patterns etched by worm larvae inspired the sod lines on this hillside. Enlarged, they speak of intricacies in nature and create a meditative trail to experience and walk.

"Curtains: Bone and Twig



Twigs gathered from the land's predominant tree, the cottonwood, and bones refering to the land's domestic and wild animal life, were gathered and hung to create curtains of floating calligraphy.

"Willow Bundling"



Fabric ties wrap sheaves of willow and refer to practices of bundling cut stalks of grain on these farmlands in past eras.

KDUR FURNITURE AS ART AUCTION

"Nature's Calligraphy"

Here's my contribution to the annual fundraiser for the local college radio station in Durango, Colorado. (A gluelam, carved with patterns that worm larvae make in the cores of trees, becoming a plant stand). Always a fun event that challenges the artists of the community. Check out the website to see this years variety of items up for auction, Thursday night, April 3 at the Durango Art Center.