Noel Carmack from the Gallery East on USU Eastern campus stopped in the KOAL Studios to talk about the new artist, Lorenzo Chavez, having his work on display at the gallery from April 4 through April 22. The exhibit, entitled “Wandering the Colorado Plateau”, will feature many of Chavez’s latest outdoor scenes of canyon country.
“We have Lorenzo Chavez, who is originally from New Mexico, but his studio is in Parker, Colorado where he now lives and he is really well-known for his outdoor painting. Probably most widely known for his soft pastel painting landscapes;” said Noel. The reason for the title of the exhibit, “Wandering the Colorado Plateau” Noel said is “because he’s done a lot of hiking and wandering around in the southwest and Canyonlands area, Moab and all around down around Capital Reef and other parts of the southwest. He just loves this area.”
Chavez is going to be here in Price on April 7 and 8 to do a Plein Air workshop for the students on campus. He will talk with the students about composition, putting together their image, materials, etc. Plein Air refers to the painting taking place outdoors so all painting during this workshop will take place outdoors. “Outdoor painting has been around for 150 years, probably with the impressionist artists of the 19th century” states Noel. “But it’s only been in the last 20-25 years that it’s really taken off as a craze for people to go outdoors and break open their easel and their paint box and do a little painting right on the spot.”
There will be a reception on April 8 at the Gallery East from 5 pm-6 pm, where you will be able to meet and ask questions of Chavez about his artwork.
“We’re all about the students. The real purpose of the gallery is to educate our students on the USU Eastern campus, but it’s there for everyone to enjoy;” state Noel. “We’re going to be having our Annual Student Art Show beginning on April 25. This show will go through May 4.”
For more information on this exhibit call 613-5241. The complete interview is below.