Lifestyles September 2023

LIFESTYLES

The 22nd Annual Open Door Studios Tour

O ers Attendees the Opportunity to Understand the Human Connection between Artists and their Creations

By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles

Evergreen, Colorado’s 22nd Annual Open Door Studios Tour, always held on the third weekend in September, is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, September 16 and 17 from 10am-5pm.

If you nd innovative expressions of the imagination fascinating, enjoy the visual vibe experience of viewing and appreciating artful beauty in all forms, and nd yourself eager to understand the workings of artistic minds in relationship to their journeys through their individual creative processes, then you will certainly want to attend!

Art lovers frequently wonder why artists create what

FEATURE OF THE MONTH

they create, what fuels their inspiration, and what process guides them to achieve their creations. e answers can be complex based upon factors like the relationship between artists and their processes, artists and the art they create, and then o en an entirely separate/di erent relationship between the artist and the viewer, and the viewer and the art. Nonetheless, the 22nd Annual Open Door Studios (ODS) Tour o ers its attendees a rare chance to embark upon an exciting journey into the world and the psyche of its participating artists in their own working environments.

is well-advertised/well-attended free-to-the-public two-day event celebrates art and greets people from all over Colorado and nearby states such as: Texas, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico. So prepare yourself for a uniquely di erent experience showcasing colorful visions and one-on-one interaction with local artists. It’s a weekend lled with hours of artful discovery as you set out on a self-guided tour featuring 26 incredible artists at their Evergreen home studios or designated studio locations (assisted by your GPS and a free ODS Tour Book available at many sites throughout Evergreen).

Evergreen’s Open Door Studios Tour is a juried event and artists must apply in order to be able to partici-

Robyn ayer, Studio #26

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pate ese artists represent painters, sculptors, photographers, ceramicists, ber artists, and jewelers. ey work in oil, pastel, watercolor, acrylic, gouache, bronze, glass, wood, clay, stone, steel, aluminum, found objects, silver, copper, gold and more. For a list of participating artists and their mediums, tour sponsors, and advertisers, visit the ODS Tour website (www.EvergreenOpenDoorStudios. com).

“All ODS studios are located within a 10-mile radius of downtown Evergreen so all who attend can be sure that they will be able to visit each and every artist’s

studio within the allotted two days of the event,” said Jeannette Stutzman, who has been the ODS Tour Coordinator since 2011. “Also, the Evergreen artists involved in this year’s tour want to express their gratitude to all the people/ businesses who have given their support as sponsors, advertisers, and volunteers.”

Open Door Studios Tour sponsors for 2023 include: Primary sponsor Evergreen Glass (www.EvergreenGlassInc.com), Center for the Arts Evergreen (www. EvergreenArts.org), and Evergreen National Bank (www.ENBColorado.com).

e weekend art tour o ers art lovers a one-of-a-kind opportunity not only to see these local artists at work in their

Jeannette Stutzman, Coordinator and Studio #10

Stop Problem Solving and Focus on the Solution

By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles

Saturday, October 14 (10:00am12:30pm), nationally Board-Certi ed Executive and Health & Wellness

Coach Christine Kahane will host her

9.23.23

“Stop Problem Solving” Workshop at her Evergreen o ce located at 30752 Southview Drive, Suite 110.

Workshop attendees will learn to set boundaries for happy relationships, hold themselves and others accountable for promises and agreements they

make, and learn to live with less stress and e ort. So rather than looking at the problem and then trying to x what is already broken instead turn your focus on the solution, which is coming out of what you want to achieve.  e cost of this workshop is $125.00/per person and attendees can register and pay online through her website (www. kahanecoaching.com).

Christine is also facilitating an Emotional Resilience Group (ERG) Chat in her o ce on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Come every month or whenever you feel overwhelmed and are ready to seek help. e cost per session is $25.00/per person/per get-together.

e next group chat is scheduled for Wednesday, October 25 from 6:007:30pm. Sharing your challenges together can help you nd options that

can lead to solutions.

“ e media reports a U.S. mental health crisis, and it is a ecting people from all walks of life and in every age group,” said Kahane who works with people on a one-to-one basis or in a group who are looking to re-direct their lives. “I am here to help; and I am very enthusiastic that my Emotional Resilience Group will prove to be a positive experience for all who attend.”

Christine worked in New York for fteen years in Marketing and Branding (de ning your company’s identity). Her interaction with business managers led her to notice how o en these leaders were disconnected from the values in the brands they were responsible for building. As a result, because her work frequently focused on “coaching” leaders on how they could put their values into action so they were operating from a shared purpose, she transitioned into the eld of coaching in 2002. Now, 21 years later, the culmination of all her career experience has led her to write her rst book. Her book, UNLearning: Leading Change Without Resistance by Christine Kahane, is scheduled to launch sometime in October 2023.

For appointments, contact Christine Kahane at (303-589-5456). Visit her website (www.kahanecoaching.com) to register for the October 14 workshop, October 25 ERG Chat, or for more news about Christine’s upcoming book.

How to Build a Wooden Trellis for Your Garden

(StatePoint) Are you dreaming about beautifying the backyard? Is your garden in need of some color and dimension? If you have the tools, a free weekend and the initiative, you can add charm and beauty to your outdoor space by building a garden trellis.

Here’s everything you need, and everything you need to know, to complete this “Done-In-A-Weekend Project” from Exmark, a leading manufacturer of lawn care equipment.

‘The media reports a U.S. mental health crisis,and it is a ecting people from all walks of life and in every age group’

Christine Kahane, Owner

Act NOW To Save Thousands This Year!

Some things are simply timeless, like the sensational experience of throwing a log on a crackling fire. And some things get even better with time! Today’s wood burning appliances are the most efficient they have ever been, meaning you get more heat from each log added to the fire. There’s even more reason to switch to wood burning, with the added incentive of a government tax credit. You can save up to $2000 on your entire project cost with a qualifying appliance!

What makes a new woodburning fireplace, stove, or insert qualify for this tax credit is a tested efficiency percentage higher than 75%. These are the most efficient, clean burning wood-fueled appliances in history. Taking advantage of the tax credit is a huge win for your wallet in several ways. You’ll be heating your home better while burning less wood. You’ll also increase your home’s attractiveness, safety, energy independence, and

environmental sustainability. There is no better option than good ol’ wood burning!

Now that you know why it is such a hot trend to get a new wood burning appliance, let’s talk about how it can be done in your home. Getting a new wood burning fireplace is much simpler than it sounds. These fireplaces and chimneys are installed as a complete UL-listed system for safety and efficiency. Your outdated fireplace and chimney is completely removed and replaced. Add some new finishing material, and you have just transformed the look of your living room and the way you heat your whole home.

If you have a large fireplace and want to take advantage of the tax credit but avoid any demo, we can install a tax credit qualifying insert into your existing fireplace opening. It is also possible to add a wood burning fireplace or stove where there wasn’t one before. No more chilly addition or

den in your home!

New wood burning hearth appliances are also safer for your home. They are installed as a complete UL listed system that is designed and tested to be safe at the high temperatures of a wood-fueled fire. Additionally, if you have an older fireplace system, the years of use or improper care can be degrading the safety of the unit itself and putting you at risk of a chimney fire. With the high efficiency of newer wood burning fireplaces comes a cleaner burn. This means less creosote is accumulating in your chimney, which is what burns in a hostile chimney fire.

If you already have a fireplace in your home that you love, now is a great time for your annual service! Sweeping away the accumulated creosote and soot every year is necessary for the optimal performance and safety of your solid fuel appliance. Our annual service appointments also include

an inspection, which evaluates the firebox, damper, and chimney system; we also get on your roof to clean and inspect your cap, and we evaluate the exterior portions of your chimney. At the end of the service, we write everything up so you have documentation of safety, or if there’s something we recommend repairs on.

You’re invited to see our variety of wood burning appliances in our showroom at 7001 Highway 73 in Marshdale. We have a large assortment of sizes, shapes, and styles for your home! We have more qualifying replaces, stoves, and inserts on display than any other replace store in the entire Denver Metro area. Come visit us from 9am-5pm Monday through Friday, and 8am-4pm Saturdays. You can also see our products and portfolio of work on our website at www.MtnHP.com or reach us by phone at 303-679-1601, and email at O ce@ MtnHP.com.

‘Book’ Your Reservation for the 9th Annual Rocky Mountain Literary Festival on October 7

By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles

e 9th Annual Rocky Mountain

Literary Festival (RMLF) is scheduled for October 7 from 8:30am-3:00pm in Golden at the Mount Vernon Canyon Club, 24933 Clubhouse Circle.

Tickets Now On Sale for the 9th Annual

“ is is an annual gathering of authors and readers, the pro ts of which provide scholarships for high school seniors in pursuit of their educational dreams,” said Susan Henry Executive Director of Bootstraps, a 501(c)(3) nonpro t. “Since1945 Bootstraps has provided mountain-area students with nancial need continuing education scholarships and interest-free loans,” said Henry. “Our 2022 event’s $15,000 proceeds funded college scholarships for four local high school seniors.”

EJ Levy whose book, e Cape Doctor, garnered multiple awards and was named a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice; and Megan Kate Nelson, writer/historian/road cyclist/cocktail enthusiast, who is speaking about her latest book, Saving Yellowstone: Exploration and Preservation in Reconstruction America.  Books of all featured authors will be available for sale at the festival by HearthFire Books.

Saturday, October 7, 2023 • 8:30 - 3:00 PM

Saturday, October 7, 2023 • 8:30 AM-3:30 PM

Mount Vernon Canyon Club

Mount Vernon Canyon Club

24933 Club House Cir, Golden, CO 80401

Tickets Now On Sale for the 9th Annual

This year’s festival will feature authors: Ash Davidson • Dan Hampton • EJ Levy

Megan Kate Nelson • Melissa Payne - Emcee

This year’s festival will feature authors:

Tickets Now On Sale for the 9th Annual

Ash Davidson • Dan Hampton • EJ Levy

Megan Kate Nelson • Melissa Payne - Emcee

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit RockyMountainLiteraryFestival.org

Saturday, October 7, 2023 • 8:30 - 3:00 PM

Mount Vernon Canyon Club

Saturday, October 7, 2023 • 8:30 - 3:00 PM

This year’s

Mount Vernon Canyon Club This year’s festival will feature authors:

For ticket information, author information, scholarship recipients from the 2022 RMLF, sponsor information, meal selection, and more, please visit RockyMountainLiteraryFestival.org

Levy

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit RockyMountainLiteraryFestival.org

Megan Kate Nelson • Melissa Payne - Emcee

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit RockyMountainLiteraryFestival.org

RMLF tickets include a continental breakfast, a luncheon entrée, and festival author presentations. General Admission Seating: $90; VIP: $125 (Reserved); Reserved Seating for book clubs/groups: Table of 8 - $720 or Table of 10 - $900. e year’s Festival is proud to introduce its emcee, Melissa Payne, best-selling/award-winning author of e Night of Many Endings, e Secrets of Lost Stones, and Memories in the Dri . Participating authors are: Ash Davidson, whose debut novel, Damnation Spring, was named a best book of the year by Los Angeles Times and seven other literary giants; Dan Hampton, one of the most decorated (Purple Heart) ghter pilots since the Vietnam War with12 other distinguished medals, is e New York Times/international best-selling author of Valor;

GARDEN TRELLIS

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• (4) 4-inch x 4-inch x 8-foot cedar posts

• (2) 2-inch x 8-inch x 8-foot cedar (for the corbels)

• (1) 2-inch x 6-inch x 6-foot cedar (side bracket/beam support)

• (2) 2-inch x 6-inch x 10-foot cedar beams

• (4) post brackets (optional, to attach to wood deck)

• 2.5-inch deck screws

• 1.25-inch deck screws

• Wood stain

• Wood sealer

• Wood glue

Instructions:

1. Cut boards down to size for the sides, top trellis and corbels.

2. Assemble the side sections.

3. Assemble the top trellis section by following the template found at back-

yard.exmark.com or by sketching your own design onto card stock.

4. Attach the top and sides of the trellis, ensuring the sections are square with one another.

5. Use the template to build the corbels.

6. Line corbels ush with the side posts and attach.

7. Apply wood sealer, and stain or paint (if desired).

To download the complete instructions and template, and to follow along

e idea for the RMLF was presented to longtime Evergreen businessman Phil Shanley in 2014 by Ralph Hall and Eunice Larson who had attended the Literary Women Festival (ongoing since1982) in Long Beach, California and decided Evergreen needed a similar event. To gain nonpro t support, the concept was presented by Shanley and Hall at a meeting with 2014 Bootstraps Executive Director Colleen Skates and Dale Lovin. e rst Rocky Mountain Literary Festival launched in 2015. Whether you are an avid book reader, a writer or an aspiring author, the 9th Annual Rocky Mountain Literary Festival on October 7 promises to be a real “cli anger” event that you won’t want to miss! Visit the website (https:// www.rockymountainliteraryfestival. org) for tickets/event schedule, authors’ bios, and more. Be sure to ‘book’ your reservation today.

with the video tutorial, visit Exmark’s Backyard Life site at backyard.exmark. com, a multimedia destination providing homeowners with everything from grilling tips to gardening advice. While this beautiful trellis is a bit of work, once complete, it can provide structure for vining plants to grow, create a bit of shade from the harsh summer sun or simply serve as a point of architectural interest in your garden.

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own studio environment, but also it allows them to ask questions about their preferred medium and style, and better understand the time, techniques, and talent involved in their artistic endeavors.

“We are not talking about AI (articial intelligence) art, which falls short of being able to provide the human experience that encompasses emotions and perspectives that truly shape an original piece of art,” said Jeannette Stutzman. Stutzman, an ODS Tour participating artist of oil and pastel paintings and a creator of artisan jewelry pieces, believes that art is more than decoration, it is a connection.

While the purpose of décor is to adorn a room or space, a ne art piece usually provokes an emotional or intellectual reaction and o en brings people together (the connection), which is something that AI art simply cannot do. erefore, in order to better understand the human elements and emotions that drive artists’ creativity, those who attend Evergreen’s 22nd Annual Open Door Studios Tour might ask themselves the following questions, the answers of which can lead to more meaningful dialogue between you and the participating ODS artists:

1) What do I see? (beauty, grandeur, balance, discord…);

2) How do I feel? (tranquil, energized, enlightened…); and

3) What do I think about when I see the artist’s work? (a memory, love, togetherness…)?

It is likely true for all artists, that what they do is based on a heightened awareness and observation; it is translation of what they perceive and how they convey that. e artist’s life is a lifelong pursuit of learning, studying, evolving, and growing. Visual artists sometimes convert a 2D object into a 3D object and vice versa. A lot of times what they do involves physics, mathematics, understanding mechanics and how things

LIFE STYLES

function, color theory, and more.

A full-color tour book is available at Evergreen Glass on Industrial Way, many local area shops, and the ODS website (www.EvergreenOpenDoorStudios.com).

e free tour book o ers a tour location map, artists’ bios, and photos of their work so visitors can then choose which studios they want to visit.

Located just 35 minutes from the Denver area, Evergreen boasts many services and places of interest within its community boundaries that will make your visit exciting to enjoy and delightful to remember, like: local hotel/ lodging options, restaurants, shops, and art galleries… As you drive from studio to studio, you can also enjoy a scenic tour of the Evergreen mountain area during the fall color season.

e true value of art can be elusive and not always easily understood as it is o en based on a combination of factors, including but not limited to the size of the art and the notoriety/reputation of the artist. e reality of the matter is that for less than the price of various electronic products, you can o en purchase a variety of original (not AI) art pieces or reproductions that will hold their value

Advertising Department

Donna Reardon, 303-566-4114

dreardon@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Ruth Daniels, 303-566-4113

rdaniels@coloradocommunitymedia.com

and o en even appreciate in subsequent years.

On September 16 and 17 the participating artists of the 2023 Open Door Studios Tour look forward to welcoming you into their working studios to share with you their world, their processes, and their inspirations.

No purchase is necessary to enjoy this celebration of creativity. However, ODS artists will o er pieces for sale in a range of prices, so there is an abundance of art for everyone should you be so inclined to take something home for yourself and/ or to give as gi s. You may even score a sale item or win a drawing for a giveaway art piece! If you have questions about the tour, you can call or text ODS Tour Coordinator Jeannette Stutzman (720320-3929) for additional information.

Whether or not you are an impassioned art a cionado seeking to take part in an “art and soul” journey into creativity or simply someone looking to nd an exciting weekend activity to pursue, mark your calendars for Saturday and Sunday, September 16 and 17 (10:00am-5:00pm). Don’t miss this opportunity to join the fun at Evergreen’s 22nd Annual Open Door Studios Tour,

Production Department

Tom Fildey, 303-566-4142

t ldey@coloradocommunitymedia.com

interact with artists in their own studio spaces, and allow their work to speak to you. Likewise, if a particular work of art “calls your name” and tells you that you would like to “take it home,” trust your feelings and just go with it… You’ll have a unique piece to enjoy and admire for years to come!

Idske Hiemstra, Studio #5

Susan Judy, Studio #22

Amy Love, Studio #8

Pat Fitzharris Newman, Studio #4