Creativity is what makes us human—our hearts are filled with the desire to create, to leave our mark, to communicate. Niza Knoll Gallery is collaborating again with curator Damon McLeese in the second iteration of an art show celebrating the most experienced among us—in life and in creativity. Each of the artists invited to the show is at least 80 years old. Some have been producing art all their lives, others picked up their craft after careers in other fields. What they all have in common is the experience they bring to their artistic journey and their active participation well into their later years
As executive director of Access Gallery and long-time gallery neighbor, McLeese’s interest in creative aging is an offshoot of his work inviting a more diverse population to the creativity discussion. He believes we live in an ageist society, and art can be a catalyst to change how we think, feel, and act toward others based on age.
The exhibiting artists were asked to present work created in the last five years. Macy Dorf, Peter Durst, Niza Knoll and Leona Lazar are showcasing hand-built ceramic sculptures. Annalee Schorr will feature her mixed-media geometric patterns, while Joyce Coco and Essie Perlmutter will have colorful paintings on display.
Working with personal symbolism, Joyce Coco’s gift for layering color onto the canvas always delights the eye and intrigues the mind. Growing up in Texas, Joyce was ever observant of the references and relationships, the environment, and the experiences around her. Her desire to find a solution through art is evident in her work, some of it possibly haunting and some of it full of joy — all expressed through color and light. She has had many fruitful years of painting since she graduated from the Fine Arts program at the University of Denver. She has been a member of Spark Gallery since the 1980s and is proud to have had her work exhibited throughout Colorado and the United States.
Macy Dorf creates both sculpture and functional pieces out of clay. The large sculptural pieces in this show represent his journey around the idea of negative space and how it can be expanded upon. He has been making pottery for his entire career, having graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1967 with a Master of Fine Arts degree in ceramics. After a year teaching in Chicago he moved to Colorado, starting Two Potters Studio in Littleton with Larry Wright. In 1973 he spent time in France studying ceramics, later moving back to work out of Durango and then Denver. He now owns and operates Artists on Santa Fe which houses artist studios and a gallery. He was a pioneer in establishing Denver’s Santa Fe drive as a creative hub.
Peter Durst is a ceramist and sculptor. He likes work that involves dynamic tension, as if counterbalancing forces were at work to sustain things in a precarious equilibrium; how things stay together and how they fall apart, and how time works its way to expose cracks, fissures, and strata. After receiving a B.A. and a law degree he switched gears to study ceramics at Anderson Ranch in Snowmass. Durst has been a potter, ceramist, and sculptor for over 50 years, having exhibited his work nationally in galleries, art centers, museums, private collections and public spaces. Since 1990, he has maintained Durst Studio, Gallery and Sculpture Garden in Denver where he makes and shows his and others’ work. Since 2001 he has taught classes through the Art Students League of Denver. He is now a part-time resident of the big island of Hawaii where he has a studio and teaches a class at the Donkey Mill Art Center in Holualoa.
Niza Knoll’s diverse upbringing in Vienna, Paris, Montreal, and New York City taught her to express herself in many languages and adapt to a mix of cultures. The need to discover and create various ways to communicate has carried over to her career as a multidisciplinary artist, teacher, and gallery owner.
Leona Lazar designed her career path to follow her love of art and community outreach. She is currently a full-time sculptor her hand-built clay pieces build on themes through which she can tell stories that convey emotions and our common humanity. She studied art at the University of Wisconsin and did master’s work in Interrelated Arts for Children at Webster College, leading to teaching in public schools as an art consultant and producing participatory exhibits for kids in museums. In the mid-90s, she was the Director of a grassroots, multi-cultural museum and in 2000, became the Executive Director of the Art Students League of Denver, holding the position for twelve years.
Annalee Schorr’s work is usually optical and kinetic—and sometimes political—her art always centers on pattern, geometry and grids. Though the true creativity of her art lies in the concept, it is also imbued with movement and charged with emotion. Schorr was born in Pueblo in 1940. When she moved to England with her husband and two children in 1967, her world broadened, and she immersed herself in art and history. Her intentions to pursue a career in environmental activism upon her return to the U.S. were taken over by serendipity and an art class she took on a whim. She began painting 20 hours every week and, despite having no formal art training, landed her first solo exhibit at Denver’s Brena Gallery in 1978. Since then, Annalee has maintained a steady art career, and in her free time, travels the world.
Denver native Essie Perlmutter was educated in Denver Public Schools, then married young and raised 4 children. At age 46 she matriculated to Loretto Heights University where she received a B.A. and did some post-graduate work. Over the years she has experimented with various art mediums, including oil and acrylic paints, gouache, and charcoal. She also incorporated needle arts and later, at age 65, studied pastile clay sculpture. Her present paintings are stylized renditions of love, loss, freedom, and activism relevant for today. “I am an observer and an activist; grateful and astonished at age 89 to exhibit.” She says, “I have been in many local shows and am privileged to have shown in New York and in one-women shows in Denver and Aspen. I am proud, to say my work is in many private collections.”
Working at the intersection of art, ability, and creativity, Damon McLeese is a speaker, consultant, coach, mentor, and community artist. He has been the Executive Director of the nonprofit Access Gallery for 25 years, bridging the gap between creativity and community in corporate settings, classrooms, and within individual artists.
Niza Knoll Gallery is located at 915 Santa Fe Drive in Denver’s popular Art District on Santa Fe and specializes in intriguing conceptual exhibits featuring work by local and regional artists. They participate in the districtwide First Friday, Third Friday, and Sundays on Santa Fe events in addition to hosting private concerts, and guest speakers associated with the exhibitions. The Mix Co-op in the back of the gallery features eight local artists and is open during regular hours Thursday–Sunday, 1-4 pm. Visit www.nizaknollgallery.com to view and purchase works online and for the most up-to-date calendar of events.
“80-Something” runs from May 24 to June 23, 2024, at 915 Santa Fe Drive. Works will be available to view and purchase online at www.nizaknollgallery.com and the public is invited to view the show in person during regular gallery hours, Thursday–Sunday 1-4 p.m., and to the following special events:
Artist Reception: Sunday, May 26, 1-4 p.m.
First Friday Art Walk: June 7, 5-9 p.m.
