January 15, 2015 VOLU M E 9 1 | I S SUE 22
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A competition con brio International Young Artists Competition crowns winner
PERFORMANCES Sherry Kim will be playing in a fundraising reception at the Rockley Music Center, 8555 W. Colfax Ave., in Lakewood on Saturday, March 21 at 7 p.m. She will play with the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, March 22 at 3 p.m. at the Green Center on the Colorado School of Mines campus at 924 16th Street in Golden. For tickets, call 303-278-4237 or go to www. jeffsymphony.org.
By Amy Woodward
awoodward@colorado communitymedia.com Outstanding performances abounded from some of the nation’s most talented young pianists at the 56th annual Jefferson Symphony Orchestra International Young Artists Competition on Saturday, Jan. 10. Twelve finalists were selected to compete for the top three spots in the evening’s recital Saturday including first place for a performance soloist in a fundraising and a chance to play with the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra. “As a musician, this is the high point of the year,” said Steve Dreher, flutist, and committee member for the international young artist competition. “These kids are just amazing.” Sherry Kim, 22, who studies at the Manhattan School of Music, took first place with a spirited performance of Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 1, Op. 1 in F minor. “I really wanted the chance to play with an orchestra because it’s really just an amazing piece and this Rachmaninoff concerto is very underplayed,” Kim said. “I think with competitions it’s all an education experience — it’s another performance opportunity even though you are
Sherry Kim, first place finalist in the 56th annual Jefferson Symphony Orchestra International Young Artists Competition, gave an extraordinary performance of Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 1, Op. 1 in F minor on Saturday, Jan. 10. Her accompanist, Oskar Yao, not pictured, is a graduate student of Yoheved Kaplinsky at the Julliard School. Photo by Amy Woodward getting judged but then you really come out with a greater result in the end,” she said. “These competitions are helping us become better performers whether we win or not.” For the final performance of the evening, finalists played all three parts of their
selected concertos which were all works from Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3. Originally, 14 applicants were received for the competition in which 12 finalists were selected. Artists applying for the competition were students from across the
Pulse of the scene Ken Caryl Art Guild works with Valkarie gallery By Clarke Reader
creader@colorado communitymedia.com Belmar’s Valkarie Gallery is starting off 2015 with its first partnership with an arts group. The Ken Caryl Art Guild opens its Pulse exhibit at the gallery, 445 S. Saulsbury St., on Jan. 16 and WHAT: Pulse WHERE: Valkarie Art Gallery will run through Feb. 8. 445 S. Saulsbury St., “The is the Lakewood first time we’ve WHEN: Jan. 16 - Feb. 8 partnered with Wednesday - 4-7 p.m. Valkarie and it’s Thursday - 4-9:30 p.m. their first time Friday - 4-8:30 p.m. doing anything Saturday - noon-6 p.m. with Ken CaSunday - noon - 5 p.m. ryl,” said Bruce COST: Free INFORMATION: www. Nall, a member valkariefineart.com of the guild. “It’s a great chance to get our work seen and helps to have our members prepare their art for an exhibit — it helps them to get things finished.” Nall said around 18 artists are participating in a variety of mediums, from sculptures and 3D work to fabric and paintings. Valarie Savarie, co-founder of the gallery, said several members of the guild attended shows at Valkarie and inquired about hosting a group show. “They (the Ken Caryl Art Guilt) are kind of a collective, which we kind of are ourselves so we wanted to support other artists,” she said. “We always want to offer different art here.” The gallery plays host to one-to-three artists at a time, so Pulse is the gallery’s most diverse show to date. Nall said in addition to providing a place to display their work, the show offers a chance for the artists to network
U.S. “A lot of the applicants are foreign born but almost all of them are studying in the U.S.,” said Frani Bickart, committee member for the international young artists competition. “It’s a friendly competition — we believe that it fulfills an educational purpose not only for the applicants but also for area students and teachers.” It also opens doors for Jeffco residents to be host families for the young artists with an opportunity to connect to other cultures, said Jeri Lou Maus of Arvada. The Maus’ attended the competition to watch Soyoung Kim, 23, from South Korea. Kim received an honorable mention. “It’s worthwhile, it broadens our understanding of different cultures,” Maus said. “I think opening homes — rather than Con brio continues on Page 10
Hickenlooper seeks help for unemployed Initiative aims to help those who have been without a job for at least 26 weeks By Ivan Moreno
IF YOU GO
Associated Press
The Ken Caryl Art Guild is showing its first exhibition at Belmar’s Valkarie Fine Art Gallery. The guild has been hard at work to create new work and expand the reach of their group. Pictured is Mirror Images 4 by Judy Ahlborn. Courtesy photo and share the guild’s story. The guild started in 2004 as a way to offer artists in south west Jeffco a place to learn and grow their skills. Nall added there aren’t a lot of galleries in the Ken Caryl area, so these kinds of partnerships are important. “Our artists have the ability to network and share information,” he said. “We’ve had shows at other Lakewood venues like the cultural center and Lake-
wood Arts Council gallery.” For Savarie and the gallery, these kinds of local arts groups are important to keep the community connected. “Art is self-expression, it’s therapeutic and social,” she said. “Our gallery tries to get everyone in, educated and engaged.” For more information visit www. kencarylartguild.org and www.valkariefineart.com.
Gov. John Hickenlooper’s administration wants to help people who have been unemployed at least 26 weeks find jobs with a $3 million initiative aimed at connecting them with interested employers. Hickenlooper on Jan. 8 announced the plan, which will utilize a new website to connect Colorado employers with workers. The $3 million comes from the federal government, with the state kicking in $100,000 for the website. The federal funding will go for job or interview training, counseling and internships for the longterm unemployed. According to the state Department of Labor and Employment, nearly 50,000 people in Colorado have been unemployed for at least 26 weeks, which is defined as long-term unemployment. “It does change the way you go about your day. It changes how you relate with your family, your friends,” Hickenlooper. “It changes what you see in the mirror, some of the old confidence and things you took for granted isn’t the same.” Overall, the job outlook for the state has improved. Colorado’s unemployment rate is 4.1 percent. But state officials say there is a stigma associated with being out of work long term, presenting a challenge for job seekers. In some cases, the jobs that they once held no longer exist or they have been unable to keep up with the skills they need in their field, said Ellen Golombek, the executive director of the state labor department. “Many of these long-term unemployed are highly qualified. Their skills just don’t match the jobs that are currently open,” Golombek said.
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