EXPRESSIONS
from the soul of telluride

Our perception of beauty is elusive and indefinable, yet tangible and particular. Sometimes what you once considered beautiful is now faded and dreary, or perhaps unchanged, but its narcissistic qualities have become evident—it slumbers like a lifeless soul. With literary works and fine art masterpieces however, beauty is seemingly timeless with a universal message that enriches our psyches and intricately links us to our surroundings. Good art is unique and transcends the passages of time. Exceptional art-makers absorb history and current events; their minds hoard emotions, images, incidents and feelings. A truly accomplished artist is able to metamorphose life's passions, translating them onto a page or canvas. Art is simply a reflection of the artist's tree of life and has roots in the unseen world. It is a hidden treasure that comes to life utilizing light, texture, emotion and color.

Where the scenery is as beautiful as it is inspirational, Telluride's streetscapes illuminate with magical visions of artists. As you walk the streets of our eclectic Western town, you feel a gravitational pull toward the Victorian lamp posts; the ornate storefronts painted in brilliant hues; the signage crafted by skilled graphic designers, metal- and woodworkers; and the commercial enterprises that house local artists' wares or showcase their talents on stage. Our town has a lustrous sheen of originality brought about by a cast of artists. These local folks have uplifted spirits from tapping, creatively, into the intricate fabric of their souls. As this song goes, "She's got walk personality, talk personality..." so does Telluride. Pablo Picasso said, "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." In other words, a place that encourages the arts and has a strong cultural side not only sees the glory of expression, but celebrates poignant moments; accentuates meaningful life statements; and finds beauty in the rhythm of nature and in the splendor of justice. Beauty is often equated with natural gifts or talents. Finding one's artistic side takes a warrior's spirit, not a complacent mind. Here, in Telluride and Mountain Village, beauty is everywhere and with it, come numerous art forms—writing, painting, singing, sculpting, graphic design, interior designing, acting, woodworking, metal working, jewelry making, photography and more. These modes of expression echo harmonic tunes that both enrich and enliven the charismatic vibes of Telluride, Colorado .

Artistry
That kindles your soul and sparks a breath of inspiration is what should hang on your walls and adorn your dwelling space. Your choice of artwork may help you remember where you came from, where you want to go, or signify your interpretation of beauty. Artwork should speak sweet-nothings to you and whisper nuances of your passions, pleasures and dispositions. Art should subtly punctuate nature's drama and sing the highest, most meaningful notes. In Telluride, a plethora of artistic styles speak sassy, funky and zany languages through articulate, sultry and sensual voices. If you peruse the artists' résumés at Telluride and Mountain Village galleries, you will quickly note the painters, sculptors, potters and photographers are a rather elite collection of highly educated, extraordinarily passionate and utterly talented characters. Though many might shy away from the "chic" or "in vogue" or "à la mode" culture as depicted in the Great Gatsby , this group, inaudibly, comprises Telluride's erudite society. Educated at Ivy League or top-rated liberal arts schools, most Telluride artists earned their master's or bachelor's degrees while receiving high honors or awards from international, national and regional art leagues. Their studies enable them to capture heart-felt themes and the dynamics of nature. Their varying use of techniques in different mediums— watercolors, pastels, oils, photography, glass blowing, bronze casting— make a tour of Telluride's galleries seem like an abbreviated walk through New York's City's famed Greenwich Village. Celebrated artist Susan X. Billings states, " Southwestern Colorado is not a subtle place. Extremes of weather and extremes of light in an extreme landscape. Lavender mornings deepen to blue; yellow afternoons grow into slow red sunsets then purple dusk transforms to a black night overwhelmed with stars. All of this color imposed on peaks, cliffs, canyons, pastures, sage, piñon and aspen. Color and intensity blended with rain, wind, snow or perfect clear air. Even grazing horses and pears in bowls reflect this unique southwestern light and vibrancy." As with the masters, this small art community is largely inspired by its surroundings. Telluride's uptown sophistication and the eye-popping splendor of the San Juan Mountains will forever exude quaint, but gritty nuances of this once Wild West town. The combination stimulates artists to compose rare pieces that reverberate individuality. Walk the Walk: Please find on pages 115 through 139, The Telluride Catalogue. You'll see artists' signature works and then some. See how each artist uniquely delivers his/her visions in a skilled and poetic manner. Their expressions will leave long-lasting impressions of your travels to Telluride and the San Juans.

Words
Words are man's most powerful tool. They heal and offer wisdom, convey stories and can strike deeper blows than weapons of mass destruction. Words influence, suggest ideas, write truths and untruths and entertain. When all living things vanish and fade, words live on. Thus, history and the ingenuity of mankind lives on. Telluride has a fascinating society of wordsmiths. We have a league of serious newspaper writers whose words are devoured like a wholesome breakfast at Sofio's. Seth Cagin, Marta Tarbell and Elizabeth Covington succinctly report the facts on Telluride's news front at The Telluride Watch . They have made names for themselves in the literary field, coveting much respect from their readership and many kudos from a jury of peers. Likewise, the Telluride Daily Planet 's ace reporters/columnists like Emily Dresslar, Suzanne Cheavens, Sean McNamara, Ben Murray and Kara Tatone whisk you into political, environmental, economic and lifestyle arenas with Pulitzer-Prize-winning deliveries. Telluride's newspaper writers verbally streamline the anarchy of our busy, ever-growing, politically diverse resort community. They put Telluride's personality on the page and record history into the annals. Telluride is home to many other professional writers who make their livings tapping the keys, so to speak. International bestsellers and screenplay writers like Clive Cussler, Patricia Arburdene, Jeff Price, Roxanne Pulitzer and General H. Norman Schwarzkopf are Telluride residents who have inspired, entertained and informed audiences worldwide. Rob Schulteis, Susan Kees, Elisabeth Gick, Chandler Tamulonis, Rosemerry Wahtola-Trommer, Bill Masters, Eileen Benjamin, Michelle Curry Wright, Duke Richie, Ashley Knickrehm, and ever-prolific late David Lavender are local authors whose works span a gamut of genres: children's books, essays, poetry, fiction and nonfiction. Their works foretell the tales and vantage points of our life and times in Telluride. Telluride also has a collection of national magazine writers who not only inscribe the many facets of Telluride's loveliness and adventurous lifestyle, but also compose rich exposés rooted the in West and beyond. Top-notch commentaries from such locals as Rob Story, Sean McNamara, Rhonda Claridge, Hal Clifford, Peter Shelton, Gabby Anstey, Virginia Lucarelli, Deb Dion and Corinne Platt have been published nationally in popular publications like Powder, Outside, Skiing, Rolling Stone , Cosmopolitan, Sports Illustrated Women, National Geographic Adventure, Men's Journal, Ski, Couloir, Backcountry, Dandelion ...the list goes on and on. Of course, we must not forget TellurideStyle 's association of fine writers who play a large role in making this publication Telluride's most award-winning, four-color "work-of-art" in the region.

Craftmanship
There's a new vanguard of artistry in mountain communities: metal and wood works, and masonry. Items that are hard-to-the-core have qualities of permanency. They radiate substance and are crafted to last generations. Architecture, an art form in itself, is the canopy that oftentimes employs these art forms. From wrought-iron fireplace screens to fantastic outdoor lighting fixtures, hand-hewn grand entryway doors to dry-stacked stone in-laid with century-old barn wood, this group of artists is inventive, proficient and highly skilled. Often the tonesetters for entire architectural endeavors and precursors to a home's whole atmosphere, these art forms blend in, but still make huge statements. Some people are made for their careers. The two appear entirely born for each other, leaving the rest of us to wonder.Was there ever any doubt? Local artist Lisa Issenberg is one of those people.a true natural. Issenberg is a metal worker, constructing impressive pieces, big and small. She creates jewelry in silver and gold and larger works in steel and mixed-media; her style gracefully clean and richly minimal. Issenberg's creativity is astounding. From her Rocky Mountain charms to Telluride's trash and recycling receptacles, every detail of her work is unique and meticulously crafted. Currently, Issenberg is expanding her functional repertoire—tables, chairs, ladders, railings, office accents (like metal-framed, dry-erase/cork boards) and sconces. "I love it all and each project is a welcome challenge," says Issenberg. "I love combining my style with the vision of others. To me, that's what design is and what differentiates it from art. You're looking outside, not just inside." Issenberg's work is on display throughout town and at the Telluride Gallery of Fine Art. Another highly regarded metal worker is Thomas Williams of Warpath Designs. Williams has done the custom finish-work in many trophy homes and offices in Telluride and Mountain Village . His wares are gallantly bold—forged of Old World style and durability. Williams says he can make just about anything: desks, railings, fireplace screens, signs, doors, stairs, lighting fixtures. His work is reflective of both his company's name and his attitude as he likes to incorporate few, but significant, artistic icons. He also prides himself on customizing products for each project. Nearly everyone who works in the construction business works with wood and stone— the life-blood of the trade. Industrial designers, architects, interior designers and homeowners all employ the styles they find most pleasing, but the craftspeople responsible for fitting these materials together in functional, aesthetic fashions—massive beams, timber rafters, ornate mantles, custom-built cabinetry, marble, granite, river rock, etc.—are the true artists. Most anyone can pound a nail or stack a rock, but those like Brad Parkinson, Gerald "Kirk" Kirkland, Tom Goralka, Rich Cieciuch, Tim Berdl, John Gallegos, Bill "Senior" Mahoney, Tom Goodwin, Andy Ward and Tony Rodriguez are innovative masters of their fields. Their creative impulses—while displaying nature's fascinating curves, patterns, characteristic knots and burls—reflect ingenuity, patience and sincere effort.

Jewelry
There is profound beauty in nature. Nature is honest, genuine, mysterious and enduring. Produced by the earth's powerfully sculpting forces, precious jewels are highly sought after commodities—made even more beautiful when designed as bodily adornments. In prehistoric times, jewelry was largely made from animal teeth, stones, shells. It was most often worn by people of high rank. Today, jewelry is still made of shells, teeth, precious and semiprecious stones. It is typically melded with gold, silver, platinum or sterling and, in a gentle manner, still denotes status. With technological advantages, today's jewelry scene is certainly more far-reaching and charismatic than in centuries past. Take for example, Lisa Issenberg's jewelry designs. Issenberg has created the Rocky Mountain charms that employ photographs—of the San Juan 's majestic peaks and delicate wildflowers—framed in intricate motifs. Issenberg's unique charms can be found at Telluride Gallery of Fine Art, on main street. Sue Hill, a graduate from one of America 's top liberal arts schools— Colorado College —began making jewelry in high school. She learned to fabricate metal designs from scratch, a technique she still practices today. Hill says, "The sheer vibrancy of the colors mined from the earth captures my imagination. I like to combine stones in groupings of two to five to see how they interact with each other. Silver gives a crisp contrast to deep rich tones of gems." Hill's designs are simple, bringing focus to nature's rare gifts. Her distinctive pieces are available at Telluride Gallery of Fine Art as well. Dolce Jewels on main street also creates enchanting designs. Dolce crafts one-of-a-kind pieces. . . showcasing nature's finest gemstones. Many locals go to Dolce to create their own styles, while utilizing old pieces that no longer suit their needs. Owner Beau Staley takes pride in crafting exceptional pieces, custommade for clients. Lizard Head Mining Company is home to the incredibly popular Telluride Ring and Mountain Bracelet. This ring is embossed with Telluride's gorgeous San Juan Mountains , while the bracelet is adorned with princess diamonds. These pieces have the longstanding reputation as being one of Telluride's most popular souvenirs. Lizard Head is located on main street.

Digital
Computers have changed our lives to such a point that many would venture to say people are happier than they've ever been before. Reasons for this dire bliss are not only because we don't have to perform tedious tasks once done on a daily basis— washing clothes by hand, making foods from scratch, hand-milking cows, walking five miles to the general store—but because we can use our intellects to readily stimulate our creative juices. Nowadays, we (particularly U.S. citizens) get things accomplished instantaneously. Computers have advanced communications by putting information at our finger tips. Today's technology has profoundly advanced our world and made comforts and conveniences more readily available. Creative impulses of others—those who search and seize answers and solutions have made our world a more comfortable place to reside. Likewise, Telluride's creative computer designers have led the way in crafting an upscale digital culture in this region. This mountain town is a very computer savvy community. The following ladies are "digital divas" who have set the pace in print media. Please meet Telluride's finest digital artists—Kim, Kristal and Jen. Kimberly Hilley graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in studio art/photography and a minor in journalism. While in school, Hilley did a two-semester internship with a graphic design firm and worked at the school newspaper and yearbook. Because she loved the work, she decided to stick with the publishing/design industry and was offered a job at the Telluride Times-Journa l. She had a six-month stint in Seattle as a graphic designer's assistant, then returned to Telluride to work at the newly formed and technically cutting-edge Telluride Daily Planet . Hilley has lived in the area for 12 years. She does any type of design work with specialties in brochures, advertisements and newsletters. She also does all the research and writing for the newsletters she produces. Find Kim at: kfh@telluridecolorado.net or view samples of her work at www.kimhilley.com .

In 1996, Jennifer A. Gagen opened JAGraphix, a full-service graphic design and advertising agency. Working in one-to-four-color graphic design and printing, Jennifer began as a production assistant/compositor in 1989 at Boulder 's Daily Camera newspaper while attending the University of Colorado . She received a bachelor of Fine Arts in 1993. Upon graduation, Jennifer moved to Telluride and began working at the Telluride Times-Journal. Shortly thereafter, she accepted a job with Bush & Associates, publishers of TellurideStyle Magazine , where she obtained professional training in four-color process design and became highly proficient in the advertising, graphic design and publishing businesses. Today, JAGraphix is one of Telluride's top advertising companies, growing continuously and winning awards such as the prestigious PRIDE Award. In her spare time, Jen coaches skiing for the race and bump clubs and continually develops her watercolor, illustration and photography skills. Find Jen at jag@independence.net

A San Juans' native, Kristal Lujan graduated in visual communications from Al Collins Graphic Design School in 1996. Following graduation, Kristal worked as a graphic designer at the Montrose Daily Press and the Telluride Daily Planet, winning several Colorado Press Association awards. In 1999 she was hired by Bush & Associates—publisher of TellurideStyle and four other magazines—and quickly rose to the position of creative director. Her layouts and design have helped elevate Bush & Associates' magazines to award-winning status with three Certificates of Excellence from the Western Publications' Maggie Awards. Find Kristal at klujan@bushpublications.com or view samples of her work at www.telluridestyle.com .

Performance
Shakespeare lives in Telluride as does Neil Simon, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, Sam Shepard, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw and countless other not-as-wellrecognized playwrights. Our quaint historic theatre at the Sheridan Opera House, grand Telluride Conference Center, charming Telluride Town Park stage, classic Nugget Theatre and school auditoriums surge with live performances delivered by local theatre groups like the Telluride Repertory Theatre Company (The REP), Lizard Head Theatre Company, Dance in Telluride, Telluride Council for the Arts and Humanities, Sheridan Arts Foundation (SAF) and Sparky Productions, Inc. MacBeth, Mid-Summer Night's Dream, Hair and The Rocky Horror Picture Show are just some of the well-known productions Telluride's gallery of fine actors has performed in. Buss Hooper, Ashely Boling, Suzan Beraza, Jenn Nyman, Angela Cavins, Sue Knechtel, Peter Chadman, Dennis Fecteau, Leo MacNamara and Kandee DeGraw are some of Telluride's mainstay actors that entertain audiences time and again. Their commitment to the performing arts is unwavering. With Colorado Council for the Arts (CCA) seeing more budget cuts now than in 37 years—from $3,000,000 to $0 to then jumping up a mere $100,000—organizations like the REP have faced challenges they haven't had to face before.

Telluride's legendary rock 'n' roll band, The Rockodiles, has been performing for various audiences since 1987. Featuring band founder Kenny Mihelich on bass and vocals, Rusty Weaver (son of actor Dennis Weaver) on lead guitar and vocals, Tom Bonfietti on keyboards and Mike Stein on drums and vocals have blended their musical talents into some of rock's classics. "We wrote all the endings for all the songs," says Tom, who also occasionally pulls out his flute to cover Jethro Tull. Although all are studied professional musicians, they have kept their day jobs over the years—Kenny and Rusty are builders, Mike works on the Gondola and Tom is a retired publisher who does computer and recording work. "We play for hire and strictly for fun," says Kenny. Rusty also engineers and produces CDs for various regional artists. The energetic band sets audiences' dancing feet on fire with their rocking renditions of such illustrious artists as Joe Cocker, The Allman Brothers, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Doors, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Pink Floyd, The Cars, Billy Preston, Neil Young and The Rolling Stones. Mike, who originally hails from Ralph Dinosaur, currently has the longest hair in the band. Interspersed within their performances are original songs that are gaining popularity. The Rockodiles have a recording studio in Ridgway, under the auspices of Rusty. Go to their website at: ridgwayrecording.com for more information or to book the popular band.

The Rockodiles perform in Telluride, Denver , Grand Junction , Montrose, Ridgway, Norwood , Paonia "and larger homes in Mountain Village , Log Hill and Lawson Hill. We also play for the Elk's wherever they may roam," Tom says. The Rockodiles have a long standing guarantee: "If we play at your wedding reception and the wedding doesn't last a year, we'll pay for the country band at your next tying-of-the-knot ceremony." The Rockodiles haven't had to reach for their wallets yet on that one. In addition, "If we play at your 50th birthday and you don't like being older—try us again at your 60th." "Dance your pants off," is The Rockodiles' well-deserved motto. You can draw your own conclusion on what that means. In addition to the Rockodiles, Josolyn Lifton-Zoline, Bob Callendale Israel, Sarah Hendrix, Chris Clark, John Fischer, Maddie Fansler and Bobby Schaffer are other highly accomplished Telluride musicians who keep our streetscapes vivacious and our souls full of vim and vigor.