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Blog Entry 2 of 4 A Girl with a Gallery

This blog is a journal and dialogue of discovery,knowledge and questioning about all things cultural and artistic - fine art, craft, design, sculpture, architecture, food, fashion, theater, dance, spoken word, writing, poetry and anything else I can fit in! Although I am a Denver native, I lived, studied and ran my art business in London for several years. Moving back to the metro Denver area in 2003 was a big adjustment artistically and culturally. Art is a big part of my life and is present for me everyday.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~GalleryGirl

Think 'artfully' about your dollar this holiday

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Contributed by: Kim Harrell on 12/7/2007

In these ever increasing times of uncertainty with regard to quality and safe products, environmental responsibility on an individual as well as community level, think of art.

Yesterday I visited the opening of the Arvarda Art Mart featuring the work of over 100 artists living and working in Colorado. The artists are not there but they all would prefer their work to speak for itsself anyway! I am a participating artist with my jewelry but I also shopped. I go with a budget in mind, look, touch and slap down some plastic! Ialso source artists that I will invite to show at my gallery in the future. I hit the jackpot on both points.

What a great experience. I was bummed about driving 25 miles there and back but, and this is big, I bought handmade Colorado artworks. They were not expensive. They are ALL ORIGINAL and unique items not mass produced by some underpaid person half a world away. By consciously making the decision to buy art at the Art Mart I supported the local economy several times: the city of Arvada got their tax share; the Arvada Center gets a commission; the artist gets some money which he or she will most likely be spending at their local art shop or grocery store and so the circle will continue. On top of that, I was NOT supporting the transport of mass produced goods from across the country polluting the air that would most likely be discarded within days or months after the holiday. I am giving gifts that will keep on giving. More the better if the artist used found objects or recycled materials in their artworks. There is alot of that, too.

Am I living in a dream world? Am I being isolationist in my attitude? No. It all can start with one person and today that isme; tomorrow it can be you. I supported a city, a county, and five artists; I supported Colorado. It may be small but it means alot to me when I stop and think about how I am choosing to spend my money.

This holiday, support your local small shops; support an artist; support the arts in whatever way you can. Art is what makes life beautiful and fun. No matter what you choose or how you choose to spend your money this holiday, please think not just with your head but with your heart. Make every dollar you spend count towards something you support or believe in. I hope its art(ful).

Visit the Arvada Center Art Mart from Dec 6-December 16 at 6901 Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada, CO 80003. They also have a pottery sale and theatrical performances. www.arvadacenter.org

For more Coloardo art visit East End Applied Artsat 1556 Florence Street, Aurora,CO 80010. www.eastendarts.com. Information onother art venues in the East End Arts District in Aurora at www.auroragov.org/artwalk

Other arts districts featuring Colorado Artists can be seen in the Denver Post Entertainment section every Friday. Also visit: Santa Fe Arts District, RiNo, The Golden Triangle, Tennyson Cultural District, the galleries on Navajo Street in north Denver.

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Kim Harrell

Aurora , CO

Kim Harrell has posted 4 blog entries and 0 comments since joining on 2/20/2006. Kim Harrell 's average blog rating is 4.75.

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