The Adams State University Art Department Galleries will host the work of local artist Annette Troncoso, Hatfield Gallery, and Cat Snapp, Cloyde Snook Gallery. The shows will be on exhibit March 18 through April 18.

An artist lecture by Snapp begins at 4 p.m., Friday, March 22, in the Art Building room 227, followed by an opening reception for both gallery shows from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Snapp received the Juror's Choice Award at the "M.F.A. But No J.O.B." 2011 art exhibit in the Cloyde Snook Gallery. Her works on paper, "The Ebb and Flow of Growth," will be included in the upcoming exhibit. She said her work has always been inspired by the nuance of social interactions and relationships. "I am intrigued by my observations of how we often communicate our true intentions not through what we say, but through tone, body language and other cues. Internal dialogue and the relationship one maintains with oneself is also a critical influence in the work."

It is Snapp's intent to present works that are rich in intricacy and texture that echo the complexity of the mind and of individuals. "It is also important that these works are subtle and may not initially strike the viewer just as we cannot see every thought of another's mind."

Troncoso will show a selection of drawings and paintings in the Hatfield Gallery. Born and raised in East Los Angeles until the age of 15, she has always had a sense of "the people - la gente." Cesar Chavez was an early childhood hero who served as inspiration for the series Agriculture at the Turn of the Century.

Troncoso said noted painter and teacher, Harvey Dinnerstein is one of her early artistic influences and she had an opportunity to study in New York with Dinnerstein. She divides her time between Colorado and New Mexico. Troncoso approaches her artwork with a diversified approach, working in both oils and pastels. Additionally, she does some printmaking as a member of the Santa Fe Etchers' Club.

For more information, call the Adams State Art Department at 719-587-7823.

A retrospective exhibit of Stephen Quiller's works at the Adams State University Cloyde Snook Gallery opens February 8. Quiller will present a lecture at 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, followed by an opening reception in the gallery from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. The events are free and open to the public. Quiller's studio and gallery, located in Creede, Colorado, opened in 1970. In 1974, and again from 1981 until 1989 he taught painting, printmaking, design, color theory and art as a profession at Adams State. He is a painter known for his approach to water media and color and has written six books and filmed twenty video and DVDs on these subjects. He conducts a few selected painting workshops each year in the United States and foreign countries. Most recently he has been selected as a water media master representing the U.S. in an International Invitational Watercolor Exhibition in Nanjing, China, a show that will travel throughout China this year.

Quiller is primarily a landscape painter working with subject matter located in the southern San Juan Mountains and Rio Grande River Basin. He also occasionally travels to other parts of the world to do some plein air painting. He is a Dolphin Fellow and signature member of the American Watercolor Society, the National Watercolor Society, National Society for Painters in Acrylic and Casein, Rocky Mountain National Watermedia, and Watercolor West.

He has received the Ralph Smith Memorial Award (2011), Nicholas Reale Memorial Award (2009), the Didi Deglin Award (2008), Hal P. Moore Award (2007), Winsor & Newton Award (2000), Louis Kaep Award (2005), Winsor & Newton Award (2000), and the Walter Greathouse Award (1997) from the American Watercolor Society as well as major awards from the National Watercolor Society and others. He has signature lines of watercolor, acrylic, watercolor paper, palettes and brushes produced by the Jack Richeson Company and has developed the Quiller Color Wheel that is used by artists throughout the world. Quiller's paintings have been on covers and the subjects of articles in many leading art magazines. He has served as a juror for most of the regional and international water media exhibitions.

The retrospective continues in the Cloyde Snook Gallery through February 28. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information call the Adams State Art Department at 719-587-7823.

Artists Cloyde Snook and Paul Moloney both share an appreciation for the San Luis Valley. Through May, the Adams State University Luther Bean Museum is displaying a selection of Snook's ceramic pots and Moloney's black-and-white photographs. An artist reception will be held from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, in the museum. Snook will be present at the reception.

Snook, emeritus professor of art, retired in 1992 after teaching at Adams State for 22 years. Snook enjoys the challenge of defying gravity as he works with a block of clay to shape an object to his vision. Recognized nationally, Snook's work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. and at the Museum of Contemporary Crafts in New York. Regional exhibitions of Snook's work include venues at Colorado State University and the University of New Mexico

Pictured, a portrait of George Woodard by Moloney.

Internationally known photographer, Paul Moloney, a Monte Vista native, called the San Luis Valley a "unique place." George and Ketha Woodard donated a collection of Moloney's photographs of the San Luis Valley to the Luther Bean Museum in the late 80s. The black and white images capture Moloney's love for the San Luis Valley.

For more information call 719-587-7151.

Pictured, ceramic art by Israel Davis.

The Adams State University Art Department proudly presents Compelling Surfaces, an exhibition in the Cloyde Snook Gallery from January 14 through January 31. This exhibition highlights contemporary ceramic artwork created by artists who use innovative surface treatment techniques to enhance their forms. The artists include Kurt Anderson, Jeff Campana, Israel Davis, Brian Dieterle, Andrew Gilliatt, Brian Jones, Lauren Kale, Megan Mitchell, Courtney Murphy, Kristin Pavelka, and Shawn Spangler.

Jenny Gawronski, assistant professor of ceramics, curated the exhibit and will present a public lecture from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, in room 227 of the Art Building, an opening reception from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., will follow. The exhibition and lecture are free and open to the public.

For information, please contact Gawronski at jennygawronski@adams.edu. For gallery information, contact Eugene Schilling, gallery director and interim department chair at 719-587-7301 or easchill@adams.edu; or Cheryl Ravens, Art Department assistant at 719-587-7823 or caravens@adams.edu.

On December 5, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chairman Rocco Landesman announced that Adams State University (ASU) is one of 153 not-for-profit organizations nationwide to receive an NEA Challenge America Fast-Track grant. ASU Community Partnerships is recommended for a $10,000 grant to support a collaborative mural project between ASU Community Partnerships, ASU alumnus-Ian Wilkinson, interim chair of the Art Department Eugene Schilling and the San Luis Valley Museum Board of Directors.

In this FY 2013 funding round, the NEA received 393 eligible Challenge America Fast-Track applications, requesting a total of $3,930,000. The NEA will award 153 Challenge America Fast-Track grants totaling $1.53 million awarded to organizations in 41 states, Washington, DC, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These include 49 first-time Arts Endowment grantees. The Challenge America Fast-Track category offers support primarily to small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to populations whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability.

“We partnered with Mr. Ian Wilkinson, an ASU alumnus, for this project for many reasons” said Mary Hoffman, executive director of ASU Community Partnerships. “He has impressive experience from working with the Ashville Mural Project in Ashville, North Carolina. He is successful with obtaining community involvement and the quality of his work is outstanding.” The mural will be on the San Luis Valley Museum’s exterior wall, located on a well-traveled street in Alamosa, Colorado.

“We are so proud of our Adams State alumni and especially happy when they come back to the Valley and share their expertise” said Lori Laske, director of Alumni Relations.

"The NEA was founded on the principle that the arts belong to all the people of the United States," said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. "We're proud that Challenge America Fast-Track grants bring more opportunities for arts engagement to underserved communities." See the complete listing of projects recommended for Challenge America Fast-Track grant support at www.arts.gov.

ASU Community Partnerships’ mission is to link ASU resources to the San Luis Valley community of South Central Colorado in order to raise the standard of living for all Valley residents. They do that through three main activities: community organizing, business development and cultural arts support.

The Adams State University Cloyde Snook Gallery presents the latest works by nationally known Latino artist Tony Ortega. The exhibition features prints including etchings, monoprints, monotypes, and recent lithographs. An artist lecture begins at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, in the Art Building room 227 and a reception will follow from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the Cloyde Snook Gallery.

Adams State Professor of Art Eugene Schilling and Randy Pijoan curated the show. Pijoan said based on Ortega’s tight museum show schedule and gallery demands, the Art Department was “very lucky and excited” to host the exhibition.

Ortega said: “My artwork of common everyday life incorporates elements of magical realism; it confronts reality and attempts to untangle it. Through my work, I offer a multifaceted fiction that incorporates the traditions, history and culture of Latinos. In the postmodern age, my visual language speaks to the issue of international migration, focuses on shifting demographics, draws from pop culture and seeks to present truth at a more local, personal level.”

The show will also feature local artists Matt Capell and Pijoan, as well as Dallas artist Evelyn Mclean. The show continues through December 14.

For more information call the Art Department at 719-587-7823.

Love a good scare and want to help support the Adams State University Art League? Then attend the terrifying event and try not to lose your mind. All of the scariest ghouls will be there including the Adams State Improve group to make you feel right at home in the madness. Come join us in the Haus if you dare. We will be waiting for you.

The Haunted Haus will be available for scares from 8 p.m. until midnight Friday, Oct. 26 through Saturday, Oct. 27 in the Adams State Art Building. Participants must be 14 years or older, or accompanied by an adult if under 14 years of age. The cost is $3 for adults and children; $2 if you bring a can for the food bank.

Call 719-587-7823 for more information.

Register now to visit New York City with the Adams State University Art Department, from May 20 through 25, 2013. The trip is open to the general public.

Students may enroll for the one credit course, Modern Art History: NYC, however, enrollment in the course is not required to attend. The trip will include visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum, Broadway show and Storm King Art Center in New Windsor.

The cost for the trip is $1900, excluding meals. Registration and deposit deadline is November 2, 2012. For more information or to register, contact the Art Department at 719-587-7823 or caravens@adams.edu.

Judy Jones retired after 29 years

Judy Jones, center front, surrounded by the appreciative faculty of the Art Department. From left: Claire Van der Plas, Dana Provence, Margaret Doell, Roger Erickson, Eugene Schilling, and Jenny Gawronski.

Flowers, both fresh and fashioned from paper, filled the Art Department's front office space on January 31, 2012. One colleague commented, "Feels like a florist shop in here." Administrative assistant Judy Jones retorted: "I was going to say a mortuary." The occasion was her retirement – somewhat akin to death – after 29 years devoted to Adams State.

Through achievements, challenges, and change, Jones always kept her ironic sense of humor, commitment to the department and the college, and most of all, her customer service skills. "I always loved my job," she said.

Art Department chair Margaret Doell said Jones viewed the Art Department as part of her extended family for three decades. "She was the face of the Art Department. When alumni visited – they often came in to see her."

Andrea Silva '05 said as Jones' work-study student, she learned the importance of serving the people, more than just doing a job. "Judy was efficient in getting her job done, but also took time to really care about the people she was working with and the students she interacted with."

A new art faculty member this past academic year, Jenny Gawronski said Jones "knew the answers to all of my questions and was always extremely helpful. She made me feel comfortable to approach her desk with my questions about the department."

One of Jones' responsibilities was organizing the annual Taos Watercolor Workshop, an Adams State Extended Studies class. "Judy was always very professional, friendly, and customer oriented," said workshop director Pat Wolf. "She replies immediately to inquiries and questions from me or the students. She was a wonderful representative for Adams State."

Even after 29 years, Jones never behaved as a "short timer." She worked past the last moment, balancing budgets, organizing computer and hard copy files, taking care of a variety of last minute details to make the transition as smooth as possible for the faculty and the incoming administrative assistant.

Jones' first supervisor in the Art Department was Emeritus Professor of Art Cloyde Snook, who said: "From the first day, Judy took her job seriously. Judy was always available and prompt with regards to individual concerns and to assist faculty and students, whether their questions were about the budget, supplies, class schedule, or work-study."

When she first started, Jones said there was "so much to learn." She typed all the professors' tests, ran the ditto machine, kept track of inventory, and assisted the students, as well as a host of other duties. "I only worked half days, and it was overwhelming."

Yet, she put forth the effort to learn the various duties as quickly as she could and soon became indispensable. Snook and Mary Lavey, emeritus professor of art, became her confidants, and she continues to enjoy a close relationship with Snook. "I could talk to them about anything, even personal issues. Mary was so wise, and Cloyde is like a second father to me."

Monica Escalante did graduate work at Adams State in 1992 and later returned as an adjunct professor for the '95-'96 academic year. "I remember Cloyde Snook telling me that Judy ran the department, so if I had any questions, just see her first. He was correct. She always had an answer with a smile. And Judy loved the students."

The Adams State students remind Jones of her own children. She listened to them and cared about their growth, personally as well as academically. "I became closer to some, but they leave and a new batch comes in. It is hard to see them go, but that is how it is supposed to be." For her, the students made the Art Department.

"I have always been so proud to work at Adams State," she added. "My co-workers are the greatest anybody could work with, we all worked together to achieve a goal of art excellence," Jones said.

Throughout the years, Jones witnessed changes in technology and college administration, as well as the move from the former Art Building to the current facility, finished in 2000. As with any position, there are challenging times, when work relationships face difficulties, conflicts arise, and going to work becomes less of a pleasure.

While Snook's era of leadership, from 1966 to 1992, was marked by stability and a close-knit faculty, it was followed by a time of change. By the fall of 1996, the Art Department had undergone a complete transition in faculty. Through those rather tumultuous years, Jones became the rock all students knew they could rely on. She remained neutral and did not become involved in the office politics. "I would not let anyone beat me. It is how I am made. I knew where I wanted to be and cared so much, about all of it."

Art professor Gene Schilling was one of four new faculty in the fall of 1996 and was immediately impressed by Jones' willingness to help with everything from finding housing to orienting faculty to college operations. "She wasn't the department head, but was the one in charge. Basically, she took care of us, and it stayed that way for the 16 years I have been here."

Doell, who also joined the faculty in 1996, said Jones not only excelled in her duties, but went far beyond her job description. "She made a birthday cake for everyone, brought flowers and meals to the department, and delivered chicken soup to faculty who were home sick." Jones also cooked chile, loaded wood for the kiln, and even showed up at 6 a.m. with breakfast for faculty and students who had spent the previous 12 hours engaged in an art marathon.

"Judy literally fed starving artists," said Anthony Guntren '10, who earned his master's degree in art at Adams State and was recently accepted into the Colorado State University MFA program. "JJ projected a very positive energy for anyone who found themselves in her presence." Schilling witnessed Jones helping students pay their bills. "It is incredible what she did for the students."

"I have such wonderful memories," Jones said. "From the time of Mary and Cloyde to now and with all the camaraderie and fun – we always got the job done."

Jones and her husband, Lloyd "Butch" Jones '69, have been married for 43 years and have four children, Greg '93, Kevin '96, '04 (Cheri '94), Lloyd Edward "Le," and Jennifer (Dirk) Johnson, and seven grandchildren.

Jonathan Moller, fine art/documentary photographer and human rights activist, will exhibit at the Adams State University Cloyde Snook Gallery. Moller studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and received a BFA from Tufts University in 1990.

Moller’s traveling exhibit of color photographs is intended as an educational tool to tell the story of the tragic history of Guatemala: the repression and genocide carried out by state security forces in the early 1980’s, and the work for justice, truth, and reconciliation being done within a continued context of impunity and human rights violations in the late19 90’s and the 2000’s.

Moller worked in Guatemala for over six years with the National Coordinating Office on Refugees and Displaced of Guatemala (NCOORD), the Guatemala Accompaniment Project (GAP), and more recently, with the Forensic Team of the Office of Peace and Reconciliation of the Quiché Catholic Diocese. His photographs have been widely exhibited and collected, and have been published in numerous books and magazines.

Our Culture is Our Resistance: Repression, Refuge and Healing in Guatemala, is the name of Moller’s book which features 147 tri-tone photographs and includes a preface by Guatemalan Nobel Peace Laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum.

This book will be available to purchase and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of it will help La Puente provide relief for the San Luis Valley Guatemalan families that have been laid off of work at the mushroom farm.

This exhibit open September 17 through October 12 at the Cloyde Snook Gallery at Adams State University’s Art Department in Alamosa, CO. Moller will provide a free lecture, open to the public, about his work at 4 p.m. Friday, September 21, an artist’s reception to follow.

A roundtable discussion with the artist begins a 2 p.m. Saturday, September 22 at Milagros Coffeehouse, 529 Main Street in Alamosa, Colo. These events are sponsored by ASU Art Department, Community Partnerships and La Puente’s Adelante program.