Longmont Artists’ Guild’s Autumn Art Show and Sale, at The Great Frame Up, opens Friday. With an array of work by over 20 creatives on display through Nov. 5, it’s an ideal spot to do some early holiday shopping.
“We have 24 artists participating in the show with a diverse art offering,” said artist Jill Rumley, who recently took on the role of LAG’s president. “Anyone visiting the show can find anything from traditional landscape paintings to art created with recycled materials.”
Rumley served on LAG’s board from 2016-2020. With the support and encouragement of members, she was inspired to become president when the position opened.
“When I heard that Susan Steven was retiring, I felt it was an excellent opportunity to rejoin the Guild and continue our long legacy of supporting artists in the Longmont area,” Rumley said. “The most rewarding thing about leading this group of amazing artists is how generous every person is. Our members share their valuable time, support and artistic knowledge with other artists by volunteering, giving talks and doing painting demonstrations.”
In addition to helping organize the fall exhibition, Rumley has been busy creating work to contribute.
“My mother and grandmother were painters,” Rumley said. “And both of them began painting in mid-life. I only started painting about seven years ago, which is also mid-life. Before painting, I’d been a photographer since I was 12.”
From scenes of the pristine mountains during sunset to pieces that feature vibrant blooms and intricate monarch butterflies, Rumley’s work brings a sense of calm and joy to each wall space they grace.
“I mostly paint from my photography since I still love taking pictures,” Rumley said. “I paint in oils, pastels, acrylic and anything else I can get my hands on.”
Rumley also has a fondness for capturing the likeness of animals on canvas and is accepting commissions for pet portraits through her website.
Friday’s opening reception will take place from 5-8 p.m.
“I am looking forward to seeing all my fellow artists again and what they have been up to all summer,” said LAG member Bettina Reiser. “This is the first show, after some time off for the summer, for the guild.”
Reiser uses pen and ink, mixed media and watercolors to create stirring works that can complement a range of interiors. From a jumping trout whose tail seems to break free from canvas to a stampede of horses swirling up dust, her subject matter shines a light on the grace and power of the natural world.
“I’ve always been very creative, but I first knew that I wanted to do something with art when I took some serious art classes in college” Reiser said. “Then life happened, and I was told to keep it as a hobby. Within the last three or four years, I have had a lot of support and encouragement to make it my career I have always dreamed of.”
Reiser has been living in Colorado since 1983, when she first arrived as an exchange student from Germany. The Centennial State’s natural beauty and animals have served as consistent muses within her work.
“There have been a couple of moves outside of this state, but I always seem to come back,” Reiser said. “I graduated from Estes Park High School and loved living up there. We’d go into the woods and ride horses up the trails. When we would go to the bus stop, we could hear the coyotes follow us in the tree line. We’d go fishing too. Colorado has a lot of wonderful parks and open spaces to enjoy.”
The Longmont Artists’ Guild has been around for 65 years, connecting artists with buyers and bringing well-attended events to the Front Range.
“From our humble beginning in 1957 of six members meeting at each other’s homes, we now have 125-plus artists from around the Longmont and Boulder areas,” Rumley said. “My goal is to grow our membership by serving our community more diversely.”
As president, Rumley has plans to offer more year-round events that go beyond art shows. Committed to fostering relationships and community, she is hoping to incorporate a book club, critiques, happy hours and coffee-side chats into the mix.
“I’m very excited about what’s ahead,” Rumley said.
