With all of the fun activities to do when springtime rolls around in Boulder County — like hiking up in Nederland or going mountain biking at Hall Ranch — it’s easy to turn west and dive headfirst into activities at altitude when the warm weather hits.
We Front Rangers need to be reminded that there are plenty of reasons to hop in the car and head east. Especially this weekend.
The East Boulder County Artists spring tour is back and invites the artistically inquisitive to tour 56 different artists at 27 different studio locations throughout Longmont, Lafayette, Louisville and Niwot. In a true choose-your-own-adventure fashion, the self-guided tour allows the public to visit local artists as they work in their creative sanctuaries, offering a rare glimpse into the artistic process and a peek into the stories behind each masterpiece. The free event will run 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
From textile artists morphing a scratchy piece of cloth into a glittering tapestry, or stained glass artists fusing sharp bits of glass into a dainty suncatcher, this year’s tour features some of the most talented sculptors, painters, printmakers, fiber artists, potters, wood carvers and metal smiths in East County.
With so many amazing artists and studios to choose from, we rounded up some of our favorite artists in East County to visit on this year’s spring tour. For the definitive list of participating artists and studio locations, visit the interactive map at ebcacolorado.org to make the most of your sunny springtime weekend creative excursion. Printed maps are also available at Longmont Public Library, Louisville Public Library and at each of the studio locations. Or snag your copy on pages 8-9 of Friday Magazine.
Through April, don’t miss the preview shows that are on display at Longmont Public Library, 409 4th Ave., Longmont, and Louisville Public Library, 951 Spruce St., Louisville.
Unique porcelain pieces
Inspired by her love for the outdoors, Heather Kegel’s bowls, cups, vases and mugs are more than
just receptacles, but canvases for delicate botanical illustrations, such as cacti and wildflowers. Her pieces feature the classic blue-on-white motif that is reminiscent of historical Chinese porcelain works, but with a contemporary twist.
Studio-goers can catch a glimpse of Kegel as she transforms a lump of clay into one of these gorgeously functional pieces — and perhaps snag one to add to their own collection.
Kegel will be showing her works and demonstrating her form at Studio No. 12, 2125 9th Ave., Longmont, along with with artists Rebecca Martin, Allie Olender, Mariah Stotsky and Julia Zuniga.
Learn more about Kegel at heatherkegelstudios.com.
Minimalist at maximum vibrancy
Ryan Wiese is an apparel-designer-turned-glass-jeweler-turned-painter, all trades that helped shape his art today.
His acrylic works are inspired by the shapes created when different colors of glass are melted together. With clean lines and vibrant contrasting colors, his paintings are a playful, abstract and beautiful feast for the eyes.
“My vision is to create paintings that are simple, yet captivating,” Wiese said in his statement for ECBA.
Head to Wiese’s studio to learn more about his creative process, which begins as sketches with pencil and ink — then see how he morphs them into chromatic canvases.
This weekend, visit Weise and watch him in action at Studio No. 22, 7983 Grasmere Drive, Boulder. Learn more at ryanwiese.com.
Bejeweled silversmith
Working with sterling and fine silver, as well as natural stones and semi-precious gems, Tammy Helart jewelry designs are understated, elegant and altogether stunning.
Helart places an emphasis on the beauty of the stones she works with — which include turquoise, jasper and the rare opalized fossil wood — using the silver as a mere framework in her pieces and letting the rocks speak for themselves.
Tammy will show her work at Studio No. 17, 825 Tempted Ways Drive, Longmont, along with local artists Malena Hirschfeld and Debra Stanger. Learn more at splendentstonesshop.com.
Dreamlike nature
From rolling landscapes capturing Colorado foothills to abstract depictions of California poppies,
Longmont native Jessica Marshall paints the natural world around her using crisp blues, aspen yellows and warm magentas. Marshall’s paintings are soft and dreamlike, evoking a sense of tranquility and introspection in each piece.
Take a peek into Marshall’s creative world at Studio No. 3, 6307 Laodicea Road, Longmont, along with fellow artist Lorena Fox. Learn more at libraryofmarshallarts.com.
