Anderson Ranch Arts Center presents James Surls: The Black Arts, December 6, 2010 – February 25, 2011

James Surls, All Diamonds, 2006

Snowmass Village, CO – Anderson Ranch Arts Center is proud to present the upcoming exhibition James Surls: The Black Arts which will showcase the incredible artwork of Carbondale, CO-based sculptor James Surls. The exhibition will feature significant recent works which will include sculpture, drawing and the monumental woodcut print, Through it All, recently printed for the first time.  To commemorate the groundbreaking continuous drawing, To Touch the Center, made by Surls 20 years ago at Anderson Ranch, a similar large wall drawing will be on view in the Patton-Mallott Gallery.

The exhibition will extend outside the gallery onto the Ranch campus to include large-scale sculpture on the grounds. The exhibition will be on view December 6, 2010-February 25, 2011; opening reception will be held on December 14, 5-6:30 pm. The opening reception corresponds with the Anderson Ranch Annual Holiday Open House & Live Auction (details and schedule below).

James Surls, Through it All, cut 1988, printed 2010

In 1986, Surls cut a woodblock called "Cut Hands, Hurt Eyes" while working with printer Chip Elwell at Anderson Ranch. Chip unexpectedly died a week after the block was cut and so the block was never printed. This wood block was six foot by three foot and was the parent block for Through it All, which was cut in 1988. This block was four feet by eight feet and due to its large size and inherent printing difficulties, the block went dormant and has been in storage for the last twenty-three years.

John Smither, print publisher from Huntsville, Texas and Surls have collaborated to bring this wood block back to life. They have printed an edition of 12 on Kochi Mashi Japanese paper at 52” x 100.”  The print is signed with a notation that the block was cut in 1988 and printed in 2010.  This print will make its debut in James Surls: The Black Arts exhibition at Anderson Ranch.

For inquiries into artwork sales please contact Paul Collins, Chair of Exhibitions, at 970/923-3181 ext. 236 or email pcollins@andersonranch.org.

Anderson Ranch will host an opening reception on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 from 5-6:30 pm— free and open to the public. The reception will take place in the Patton-Malott Gallery located on the second floor of the Dows Barn administration building.

ANDERSON RANCH ANNUAL HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE & LIVE AUCTION

The opening reception for James Surls: The Black Arts corresponds with the Annual Holiday Open House & Live Auction where in celebration of the holidays, the Ranch opens its doors to the community for the following series of activities on Tuesday, December 14, 2010. All are welcome! Free and open to the public.

• Children’s ornament decorating, 5 - 6 pm

Children are invited to participate in an ornament decorating activity.

• Open studios, 5 - 6:30 pm

Follow candle-lit paths leading to the studios of our staff and resident artists.

• James Surls: The Black Arts opening reception, 5 - 6:30 pm

This exhibition will feature drawings and large-scale sculpture and will commemorate the 20th anniversary of Surls’s groundbreaking wall drawing, To Touch the Center, created at Anderson Ranch. On view December 6, 2010 - February 25, 2011 in the Patton-Malott Gallery.

• Gideon Gartner Solo Show opening reception, 5 - 6:30 pm

On view December 6, 2010 - February 25, 2011.

• Live Auction, 6:30 - 7 pm

Join us for a special live auction featuring select artwork by nationally and internationally renowned artists. Wine & beer and light snacks will be served. Proceeds benefit the educational programs at Anderson Ranch.

• Dinner at the Ranch Café, 7 pm, $20
Call 970/923-3181 to make reservations (required).

MORE ON THE ARTIST

James Surls

James Surls is one of the most preeminent sculptors in the United States. His wood-and-steel sculptures are in many major art museums throughout the country including the Museum of Modern Art, Albright Knox, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and the Whitney Museum. Surls has been the recipient of an NEA Grant and was given the Living Legend Award by the Dallas Visual Art Center in 1993. For more information visit: jamessurls.com.

Images available on request.

Anderson Ranch Arts Center is a world-class learning community dedicated to creativity and growth through the making and understanding of the visual arts. We promote the personal and professional development of artists of all levels of expertise through year-round workshops, artists’ residencies, exhibitions, lectures, public events and community outreach. The facilities feature fully-equipped studios, galleries, café, dormitory and ArtWorks store. Anderson Ranch programs and activities attract thousands of artists, art-lovers, students, faculty and patrons annually to this historic and beautiful 5-acre mountain ranch near Aspen.

For more information on our programs, call 970.923.3181, email info@andersonranch.org, write Anderson Ranch Arts Center, P.O. Box 5598, Snowmass Village, CO 81615, or visit our web site at www.andersonranch.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Holly Bornemeier, Director of Marketing/Communications

970.923.3181 ext. 216

hbornemeier@andersonranch.org
www.andersonranch.org