Saturday, Jan. 6 marked the long-anticipated debut of Salida’s newest gallery “Arts Collective” in the heart of the Creative District. The brown-papered windows with its teaser signs were unveiled at last.
Display at new Arts Collective gallery in Salida includes backlit, “glass” guitar by Amy Smith. Lars Leber photo
At 1:00 p.m., Salida artist and principal, Deidre Wilda threw open the doors with skiers and local passersby immediately drawn into the sunlit space. They were eager to check out an indoor space for robot sculptures from Shelby Cox (Robot Parade Metal Art), long known for his sidewalk displays in front of 132 F Street.
Also drawing musicians were fans of the backlit, bejeweled “stained glass” guitar from Salidan Amy Smith whose series will soon include mandolins, ukuleles, and banjos.
What you’ll find
Deidre Wilda with a favorite “Raven – Word Play” series piece by Salida artist Padgett McFeely. Merrell Bergin photo
Work from familiar names like Padgett McFeely and Sybil Teague lined the walls, joined by more than two dozen other artists who have long been looking for downtown gallery space.
With a participating artist on duty in the gallery every day, visitors have a chance to meet and learn about work they may not yet have encountered except on a website.
Hannah Tidechild with a display of her work at Arts Collective in Salida. Merrell Bergin photo
Hannah Tidechild of Embellished Organics was hosting the gallery, along with Deirdre Wilda when Ark Valley Voice” toured the new space. She describes her genre as “mixed media mosaic art.” Tidechild uses stained glass, ceramics, found objects, and yes, animal skulls to create “statement pieces”. In the skull series, a large bison piece was on display together with others using deer, moose and longhorn.
“I have connections with hunters and taxidermists and collectors who are now bringing me trophies to work with.”
Artist and Principal Deidre Wilda poses fondly with a new Shelby Cox Robot “Destroyer” at Arts Collective in Salida. Merrell Bergin photo
For now, it might be said that “a shoemaker without shoes” fits artist Wilda (temporarily at least). Pointing to a corner space destined for her art, she remarked “the texture on the drywall is ‘art’ –my own work will come soon.” With nearly 30 artists signed up, Wilda says that others continue to approach her now that the doors are open.
“Without [longtime pioneers] Cultureclash and Gallery 150 it’s been hard for artists.” Now she says, “people can meet the artist and go home with their stories as well as their art.”
The 1,600 sf space has been completely refurbished and is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., seven days a week, setting them apart from many other individual artist-galleries who are also busy producing their work and traveling to shows. “That’s why we’re here and we’ll stay open later if people are up and down the block or leaving AMICAS,” said Wilda.
Lars Leber, a Salida-based photographer also has his work on display. He and his partner also handle the social media for the gallery.
What’s Next
A work in progress, the rear portion of the Arts Collective will be set aside as classroom space. Participating artists will conduct classes there and more work will also be on display, from student and emerging artists.
A grand opening for the public is being planned for late January-early February with a formal date to be announced in Ark Valley Voice.
Wilda is eagerly awaiting the Salida Creative District “First Friday” events and is an adamant supporter of their return to year-round dates. “It says that Salida welcomes art collectors (ands window shoppers) all the time and especially invites locals who are key to our success.”
A new website has just been launched on Facebook. The gallery telephone number is 719-677-8010.
Featured image: Arts Collective now open at 124 F St. in Salida. Lars Leber photo
