20 Jun Ah Haa Celebrates 25 Years
He is now making beautiful, brightly colored paintings, soulscapes that reflect his inner Cheshire Cat (plus Fauve/Magic Realism antecedents).
Dome of the Rock, by Daniel Tucker
In the introduction to the catalog for the exhibition of his new paintings, collectively The Museum of Feelings, Daniel Tucker explains:
“For me, all the ‘Arts’ are about the experience – how it feels and what it means to be a human being. Consequently, I think that the mission of an artists, in any field, is to communicate our common human experience in ways which are beautiful, touching, clear, provocative, responsible, and sublime. What I really want most from artists who engage me is the experience of ‘Ah Haa!’…”
Which just happens to be the name of the school Tucker founded 25 years ago in 1991.
1991: Ah Ha School opens in the Stronghouse Building in June 1991.
Daniel Tucker is a dreamer. Some dreamers spend lifetimes tilting at wind mills; others, like Bill Bowerman, play with waffle irons and wind up with Nike shoes. Tucker founded a one-of-a-kind, museum-quality publishing house (Turtle Island Press, no longer in operation) – and the Ah Haa School and American Academy of Bookbinding in Telluride, both thriving institutions.
Tucker grew up in Denver. At 18, he dropped into this Valley from over the hill while backpacking and thought he had arrived in Shangri-La. The beauty of Telluride touched him deeply and made a lasting impression. A few years later, Tucker became a wilderness guide. Then, when he went off in search of the rest of his life, he realized he need only to look in the rear view mirror: the magic he had experienced in Telluride had laid a solid foundation for his future.
In 1989, when Daniel Tucker received an inheritance and decided to use his new found wealth to give back. The school he founded evolved organically from his Telluride experience: it would be about the triumph of personal discovery. (The exclamation “Ah Haa” is a close translation of the Greek “Eureka!,” the utterance attributed to Archimedes on discovering the purity of gold.)
Daniel Tucker with assistant director Brucie Holler and executive director Judy Kohin in the Silverbell Gallery.
After 10 years in operation, Daniel Tucker shared his feelings with me about Ah Haa:
“Our garden is in full flower. It brings beauty into the lives of those who seek beauty.”
2012: Telluride Painting School opens under direction of longtime “Painting From Within” instructor( and Ah Haa board member) Robert Weatherford.
Words that still ring true.
In large because Judy Kohin remains Ah Haa’s inspiring, indefatigable executive director:
“I can’t believe it’s been 25 years! And I can’t believe how much we’ve grown, expanded and accomplished in the last quarter century. We feel so lucky to have our organization in town and I truly want to thank everyone who has participated and supported the Ah Haa over these many years. We hope you all come out to celebrate with us on Friday, June 24!”
2015: Programming grows 20% over three years. Ah Haa looks to expand facilities.
When you wish upon a star….
And now….
25 Reasons to Check Out Ah Haa This Summer
1 – 4. Artist Talks and Demos
Ah Haa partners with the Wilkinson Public Library to present free, public artist talks, and demos by visiting artists.
Shawna Moore, July 27th lecture.
First up, celebrated artist Derek Chan will chat about his own creative process and background (Chan has shown at the Whitney in New York and The Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago among others) and present a demonstration of his unique paper marbling techniques on June 20, 6 p.m. Chan will also teach a class on his unique paper marbling processes on June 21, 2 – 5 p.m.
Photographer Kerry Halasz has traveled the world photographing his adventures. Now Halasz will bring her talent and tales to Ah Haa for a photography class on July 12 and 13, and a free public lecture on July 11, 6 p.m. at the library.
In conjunction with their co-taught class Wax and Screen: Combining Techniques for Unique Outcomes (July 29- 31), artists Shawna Moore and Jeff Hirst will each present a free, public artist talk.
Encaustic artist Moore will explain her dynamic technique of incorporating pigmented bee’s wax in her paintings on July 27, 6 p.m, at the library.
Hirst will follow on July 28, 6 p.m., and talk about his explorations in experimental print ideas and how he melds encaustic and printmaking.
On July 29, 6 p.m., Gasali Adeyemo will discuss “Adire Eleko,” the process of creating patterns on fabric using cassava paste (yucca), a small broom, and a chicken feather. Adeyemo’s class, Traditional Yoruba Adire with Indigo, will be held on July 30 and 31 with morning and afternoon workshop options.
5. Capture Your Surroundings with Ah Haa’s Visiting Photographers
Axel Koch, Visiting Photography Artist
On the heels of his MountainFilm 2016 exhibition honoring Charlie Fowler, photographer Axel Koch will teach Photographing the Evening Landscape, June 25 and 26, with an optional digital darkroom class on Monday, June 27, as well. Koch’s students will learn basic photography techniques both in the classroom and out in the field, while taking advantage of Telluride’s gorgeous evening light.
On July 12 and 13, Kerry Halasz will teach her students simple and effective methods of capturing the details of their adventures in a documentary style, using a DSLR or an iPhone, in Adventures in Photography: Capturing the Commotion of a Well-Traveled Life.
Image, Kerry Halasz
6. The Hot Shot Photography Contest
2015 Hot Shot Honorable mention, Kevin-Younger-Welcome-to-Telluride.
The 4th of July in Telluride is a fantastic spectacle – every street is filled with iconic, amusing, poignant, and intriguing sights. Ah Haa invites locals and visitors alike to submit their best July 4th photo to the Hot Shot Photography Contest, for the chance to win up to $1000. (That’s a lot of sparklers!).
7 – 9. Have Fun With Food
Forage to feast fun.
Wow your dinner guests with some new culinary skills.
On June 28, celebrated chef Safari Ngumbao will teach his students how to carve images into melons and make flowers out of vegetables in Food Art: Fruit and Vegetable Carving. Once you’ve learned how to adorn your dinner table, join Ngumbao again on July 11 to learn about Africa’s culinary culture while making samosas, vegetable puffs, and mango chutney in Traditional African Cuisine: Appetizers, Spices and Their Uses.
Sambusa (traditional African cuisine).
After enjoying some African delicacies, join sommelier Paul Tocco, fresh from his trip to the Piedmont region, on a guided tasting of northwestern Italy’s exceptional wines. Wines of Piedmont is July 11.
Or let sommelier Bryan Thames guide you through a tasting of Eclectic Summer Whites, August 11.
On August 15, local wild mushroom expert John Sir Jesse and French chef Bertrand Marchal will lead a day of discovery, delicacy, and delight in Wild Mushrooms: From Forage to Feast. Spend the morning on a guided foray into Telluride’s high country to learn about and gather a variety of edible local fungi, then reconvene in the evening to transform the day’s harvest into a delicious dinner.
10 – 13. Get Creative Outdoors with Plein Air Classes
Landscape, pastel, Bruce Gomez.
Summers in Telluride boast vivid colors and breathtaking vistas; why not let the local landscape inspire your creativity in one of Ah Haa’s plein air classes? June 25 and 26, artist Julee Hutchison will help you Escape Into Plein Air, a weekend treat into landscape painting.
July 8 – 10, visiting artist Bruce Gomez will help both beginners and advanced pastel artists master the techniques to render the beauty of light and surroundings in Pastel Painting: Light and Landscape.
Sheri Worth will introduce her Watercolors in the Wild students to the expressive and immediate nature of watercolors – the perfect portable and spontaneous medium for outdoor compositions. That class is July 5 – 7.
Watercolor, by Sheri Worth.
Students in visiting artist Tim Deibler’s Capturing Summer En Plein Air class will enjoy the challenge of creating plein air images in 100 strokes or less, a process that requires deliberate counting of each stroke in Deibler’s July 20– 23 workshop.
14. The Annual Ah Haa Art Auction
Jewel performed at Ah Haa’s 2015 auction. More surprises at the 2016 event.
For over 20 years, Ah Haa’s annual fundraiser has been the must-attend summer event – more than 100 artworks and myriad services and excursions donated by the region’s artists, businesses, and supporters of the school are auctioned in live and silent auctions.
On July 15, join Ah Haa for a 25th Anniversary Art Auction spectacular. Get in the party mood and help Ah Haa put the “fun” into this fundraiser!
15. Learn a New Skill: Art Sampler Series
Art sample series, mixed media.
Want to learn a new medium, dust off old skills, or just spend a day being creative? Join us for Ah Haa’s Art Sampler Series, a chance to try your hand at four different mediums taught by four different artists.
On July 19, local artist Meredith Nemirov will kick off our sampler series with a drawing lesson.
Sheri Worth will follow on July 20, with a beginner watercolor class.
Allyn Hart will teach gelli print printmaking on July 21.
On July 22, Kellie Day will bring the series to a close with a mixed media and collage workshop.
Classes are open to adults and teens, experienced or not – take one, two or all for classes!
16. Make Way for Clay! Ceramics Workshop Series
Ceramics workshop, cream and sugar.
Local ceramicist Jacey DePriest will teach a series of Sunday afternoon ceramics classes, designed to teach new techniques and practices in clay beyond the wheel. First up on July 10, join DePriest for Nature Print Vases. Class will begin with a casual hike to collect leaves, flowers, and other interesting natural forms to inspire (and imprint) your clay vessel. Then students will design and hand-build a vase out of clay. Next, learn how to make Cream and Sugar Sets on July 24, to add a little style to your teatime (or morning coffee). The series will end with Slab-Built Planters on August 14, in which DePriest will teach students how to build unique and functional clay planters.
17. Art Anytime!
Robert Weatherford on the job.
If you don’t see a class that fits into your schedule, or you have a specific lesson in mind, check out Ah Haa’s Art Anytime program! Whether for one person, a group of five or a pack of 20, the school can arrange an instructor to teach the medium of your choice at a convenient time. Explore wheel throwing for an evening; plan your own Canvas & Cocktails gathering; or take advantage of an artist’s expertise in a specialized medium such as printmaking, cooking or photography.
Art Anytime is open to all ages.
18. The Ah Haa Annual Photo Prize
2nd place and People’s Choice 2014.
2016 marks the 4th annual juried Photography Prize, a competition that allows for maximum creativity in interpretation of the theme. This year, locals, visitors, adults, kids, amateurs, and professional artists are invited to submit photos that go Beyond The Landscape: The Essence of Telluride. Enter your image for a chance to win up to $1000!
19. Progress Your Painting
Robert Weatherford teaches Painting from Within.
Eager to expand your painting skills? Check out visiting artist Annie O’Brien Gonzales’ Bold Expressive Floral Painting course, to learn how to loosely paint floral images using Gonzales’ techniques featured in Acrylic Artist Magazine and her recently published book. For a weekly dose of painting progression, join Robert Weatherford for Painting From Within, an ongoing Monday and Wednesday course designed to help students of all levels learn to render their internal landscapes.
20-22. Mix and Match: Combine Your Talents
Interested in mixing your media? Ah Haa offers a number of interdisciplinary adventures this summer.
Artist Shawna Moore and Printmaker Jeff Hirst come together for Wax and Screen: Combing Techniques for Unique Outcomes on July 29-31. The class will explore the dynamic relationship between screen-printing and encaustic painting.
Going Out Going In – Combine Your Talents.
Step back from the rush and predictable of everyday and dedicate time to your creative, playful, wise, and unfolding self with Rosemerry Whatola Tommer and Brucie Holler in Going Out Going In: Stepping Out of the Everyday and Into Yourself, July 25 – 28, an exploration in poetry and painting.
Art of creativity.
August 26 and 27, Susie Billings and author Craig Childs pair up for The Art of Creativity: A Mixed Workshop for Artists and Writers. Students in this intimate fall retreat will explore their creativity through journaling with words and paintbrushes.
23. Dying to Try New Things?
Visiting artist Gasali Adeyemo has traveled the world teaching workshops in the traditional Yoruba technique of Adire Eleko, a process of creating patterns on fabric using cassava paste. Adeyemo will bring his skills to Ah Haa on July 30 and 31 for optional morning and evening workshops in Traditional Yoruba Adire.
Gasali Adeyemo dyeing class.
On August 1-3, local fabric guru Kathy Green will a teach Natural Dye Textiles Workshop, in which students will learn how to forage for plants and other natural materials, then use their found items to create natural fabric dyes.
24. Printmaking and Design Workshops
In August, try your hand at a printmaking or graphic design workshop.
Poster design with Lauren Metzger.
On August 11, graphic designer Lauren Metzger will teach students in Graphic Design Workshop: Create Eye-catching, Informative and Interesting Posters to promote your program.
And on August 21, explore printmaking techniques, from linocuts to monoprints in a Printmaking Studio. Students will learn how to create unique, handmade artwork for personal cards, gifts, posters, or wall art.
25. Ah Haa’s 25th Anniversary Party!
Founded in 1991 by visionary bookmaker, writer, and teacher Daniel Tucker, the Ah Haa School for the Arts is a place of inspiration. This summer on Friday, June 24, at 5 p.m., help Ah Haa celebrate its 25th Anniversary with food, drinks, music, dancing, and creative activities!
All are welcome.
To register for any of Ah Haa’s summer adult classes, or to find more information about events and exhibitions, please visit www.ahhaa.org or call us at 970.728.3886.
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