Public Art Exhibits
To Apply to the Mesa County Artist List
For artwork to be displayed at any of our locations, artists submit a proposal and are selected and invited to exhibit by the Commission on Arts and Culture. The Commission organizes bi-annual rotating exhibits in order to feature outstanding area artists and their work. The temporary displays reflect the wonderful diversity of art and artists in the Grand Valley. They have included a wide variety of local painters, fiber and tapestry artists, sculptors, photographers, ceramic artists, and artists' guilds and clubs. Artists must be from Mesa County.
If you're interested in exhibiting your artwork, please contact Haley Van Camp, Arts & Culture Coordinator at 970-254-3876 or by email.
The following locations provide lovely spaces for the public to enjoy the creative artistry of our local artists and purchase one of a kind pieces.
Grand Junction Convention Center Art Exhibit
Located at 159 Main Street and is typically open Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm, unless booked for an event. The exhibit features local artist Ashley Little. Ashley’s style is described as Experimental Impressionism, capturing a mood or feeling using light and shadow.
Customer Service Center
The Customer Service Center, located at 910 Main Street, is our newest Art exhibit location and currently features mixed media artwork by Kelly Corn.
The Avalon Theatre
The Avalon Theatre features two exhibitions. One features the works of Bob Martin, a local artist specializing in oil painting with an impressionistic style and intuitive approach. The other is the Downtown Plein Air Show presented by the Avalon Theatre Foundation. These works showcase the Avalon and surrounding buildings, celebrating the Avalon Theatre's Centennial year. Featured artists include Lloyd Guillen, Monica Esposito, Mike Ray, Michael Morris, Philip Carlton, Maggie Cook, Loren Eakins, Nancy Lewis, Susan Thiele, Jonathan Purdy, and Timothy Brady.
City Hall Art Exhibits
City Hall features three different exhibits. One exhibit features photography and mixed media by Donna Fullerton. Another exhibit features a community piece by the Parks and Rec Tween program. The third exhibit features Calendar Art by District 51 students made from recycled City Calendars.
Artist Testimonials
I'd like to express my appreciation to the Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture for the opportunity to exhibit my work at City Hall, Two Rivers Convention Center and the Avalon Theatre. Having been involved in the professional art field for 20 years, both as a painter and gallery owner, I have learned that careers build through the process of continued exposure, a committed work ethic, and consistent networking. To be sure, an artist needs to be reflective on their long term goals which will impact venues they seek to present their work. But that needs to be balanced with the simple fact, opportunities to develop collectors only happens when your work is seen. A masterpiece painting stacked in a studio has nearly zero possibility of winding up on someone's wall and a check in your pocket.
It takes a dose of reality and courage to exhibit your work in public. The reality is that no matter how gifted you might think you are, you are not entitled for others to fawn over your gifts, nor is there nothing left to learn. Often a serious critique or an overheard casual comment can lead an artist to a marvelous breakthrough. Art is intensely personal, and it takes courage and confidence for an artist to put on public view that which you have literally caressed into existence.
The presentation of such creations is important. When I returned to City Hall to view my exhibit I was so pleased by the respect and taste that went into the hanging of my paintings. To see the work, especially my larger canvases, up on the wall with descent spacing and light gave me insights and yes, appreciation for what I had pulled off with oils spreading like butter beneath my brushes. The same held true with the work hung at Two Rivers and the Avalon.
Bottom line? It was a minor ego boost when I walked into Homestyle Bakery or City Market and folks, recognizing me from the photo on my bio hung alongside my work, commented with pleasure about my paintings. One of the works at City Hall was selected for the Plein Air Painters of Colorado National Invitational. A large painting of Aspens and one of the Titan near Moab have been spoken for and will end up in private collections when there exhibits come down. And I know that the accumulative attest will give dividends in the future.
I am thankful for this wonderful opportunity. I hardily recommend that any artist, no matter where the arc of their career finds them, to seriously consider the obvious benefits if the change to exhibit through the Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture arises.