SHY RABBIT Contemporary Arts Website
for updated information.
Thank You
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
New SHY RABBIT Website
Please follow the link below to the new
SHY RABBIT Contemporary Arts Website
for updated information.
SHY RABBIT Contemporary Arts Website
Thank You
SHY RABBIT Contemporary Arts Website
for updated information.
Thank You
Friday, September 07, 2007
"Printmaking without a Press I"
“Printmaking without a press” is a high content, process driven fine art printmaking workshop utilizing the “low impact” printing process developed by professional Artist, D. Michael Coffee called “Reductive Ink”™. Participants will be exposed to Coffee’s proprietary techniques through hands on involvement with the tools and materials of the process.
This introductory 8 hour workshop will focus on the use of black ink only to allow for the exploration of the infinite possibilities of line, tone and texture inherent in this unique process.
Participants can expect to develop their own personal imagery in tandem with the demonstrated techniques that will result in finished works of Art or this workshop can be approached as strictly a concentrated exposure to techniques that can be developed at a later date. Information (in this workshop) will be presented in a manner that will kick start the novice as well inspire the professional Artist to view their own work in a new way.
Printmaker D. Michael Coffee began developing his “Reductive Ink”™ printing process in 1987 in Los Angeles, CA. Coffee began his investigation as a result of a fortuitous miscommunication with a group of workman that resulted in the mistaken delivery of a 500 pound piece of a plexiglass bullet proof window from a Bank under demolition. With a vision to create a “low impact” printing technique to satisfy his desire to develop a means of creating images that were spontaneous and involved a bit of “out of controlness” he began working directly on the surface of the window. He was quick to realize that the process that he was developing was unique in the vocabulary of traditional fine Art printmaking. Coffee’s development of “Reductive Ink”™ printing allowed for the creation of line, tone and textures that rival the quality of those created with traditional methods with the added advantage of the “uniqueness” of each and every image.
Coffee’s work has been shown in over 70 group and solo print exhibitions, and is included in nearly 200 prestigious private and public collections throughout the world.
The techniques and process that resulted from Coffee’s methodical trial and error for the past 20 years are the basis for the knowledge to be presented in “Printmaking without a Press”.
DATE and TIME:
Saturday, October 6 & 7, 2007
10:00am-4:00pm
(includes one hour lunch break)
or
Saturday, October 13 & 14, 2007
10:00am-4:00pm
(includes one hour lunch break)
PLACE:
SHY RABBIT Contemporary Arts
333 Bastille Drive
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
970-731-2766
shyrabbit01@aol.com
FEE:
$215
Fee includes use of all required studio equipment, tools, inks, plates and other misc.consummable materials. Each participant will also be provided with up to 8 sheets of 11” x 15” – 90# “Arches” Hot Press, 100% rag fine arts paper. Additional paper will be available for purchase.
CLASS SIZE and CANCELLATION POLICY:
Workshops will be limited to a maximum of 6 participants with a minimum of 4 required for workshops to proceed as scheduled. SHY RABBIT Reserves the Right to cancel workshops with less than 4 registered participants up to 5 days before the scheduled workshop date. Registered participants will receive a full refund for cancelled workshops or may choose to apply fee toward future workshops.
If you have a group of 4 or more and wish to schedule a private workshop, please contact
Denise Coffee at: 970-731-2766 or shyrabbit01@aol.com
REGISTRATION and METHOD OF PAYMENT
Fee is payable at time of registration and is nonrefundable for any event other than cancellation of workshop by SHY RABBIT.
Due to time constraints and limited workshop size, the preferred method of payment is via credit-card (Visa or M/C).
To Register please contact Denise Coffee at:
Phone: 970-731-2766
Email: shyrabbit01@aol.com
MISC:
Participants should expect to wear comfortable clothing and footware appropriate to a working studio environment utilizing oil based non-toxic inks and mineral spirit solvents.
Participants need to be 18 years of age to register.
"Handbuilding Ceramics I"
“Handbuilding Ceramics I” is a unique interactive 2-day workshop, designed to demystify and simplify traditional clay hand-forming techniques and processes. Utilizing a minimal amount of tools, Ceramist D. Michael Coffee will introduce primary techniques through a series of demonstrations, after which participants will begin working with clay by handbuilding on their own. This workshop is open to all skill levels, with no previous ceramic experience required.
This introductory workshop will focus on various techniques including forming, texturing and assembling, all without the use of a potter’s wheel or other equipment. This workshop will establish good working fundamentals and principles, and will provide a foundation for continuing work in ceramics. Surface decoration and glazing will also be addressed.
The work will be bisque-fired by Coffee following the 2-day workshop. Participants will return for a separate 3-hour evening session to glaze their work. (Refer to: DATES and TIMES) The finished work will then be glaze-fired, and may be available for pick up during designated SHY RABBIT gallery hours.
D. Michael Coffee has been a professional Ceramist for 13 years. His experience includes teaching college and private master courses; extensive studio work; kiln design & construction; firing expertise; and overseas ceramic study.
Coffee’s functional and sculptural ceramics have been shown in numerous group and solo exhibitions, and are included in hundreds of prestigious public and private collections throughout the world.
DATE and TIME:
Saturday, October 20 & 21, 2007
10:00am - 4:00pm
(includes one hour lunch break)
Glazing Session
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
6:00pm - 9:00pm
or
Saturday, October 27 & 28, 2007
10:00am - 4:00pm
(includes one hour lunch break)
Glazing Session
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
6:00pm - 9:00pm
PLACE:
SHY RABBIT Contemporary Arts
333 Bastille Drive
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
970-731-2766
shyrabbit01@aol.com
FEE:
$195
Fee includes use of all required studio equipment, studio tools, misc. consummable material (including clay sufficient for workshop projects), Studio glazes, Bisque and High firing. Each participant will also be provided with a basic starter tool kit to keep.
CLASS SIZE and CANCELLATION POLICY:
Workshops will be limited to a maximum of 8 participants with a minimum of 4 required for workshops to proceed as scheduled. SHY RABBIT Reserves the Right to cancel workshops with less than 4 registered participants up to 5 days before the scheduled workshop date. Registered participants will receive a full refund for cancelled workshops or may choose to apply fee toward future workshops.
If you have a group of 4 or more and wish to schedule a private workshop, please contact
Denise Coffee at: 970-731-2766 or shyrabbit01@aol.com
REGISTRATION and METHOD OF PAYMENT
Fee is payable at time of registration and is nonrefundable for any event other than cancellation of workshop by SHY RABBIT.
Due to time constraints and limited workshop size, the preferred method of payment is via credit-card (Visa or M/C).
To Register please contact Denise Coffee at:
Phone: 970-731-2766
Email: shyrabbit01@aol.com
MISC:
Participants should expect to wear comfortable clothing and footware appropriate to a working ceramics studio environment utilizing clay and glazes.
Minumim age for registration is 18.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Friday, April 13, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
NEW WORKS @ SHY RABBIT
Exhibition Dates:
April 14, 2007 thru June 23, 2007
Gallery Hours:
Thursday thru Sunday
10am to 4pm or by appointment
April 14, 2007 thru June 23, 2007
Gallery Hours:
Thursday thru Sunday
10am to 4pm or by appointment
Thursday, February 08, 2007
The not-so-shy SHY RABBIT
Durango Telegraph
Published 01-11-07
Arting Around
by Jules Masterjohn
The creative process is alive and kicking at Shy Rabbit in Pagosa Springs. This vitality is evident in the gallery’s current exhibit, “Hold It!” featuring the work of Chad Haspels, Sarah Hewitt Clarissa Hudson, Mary Ellen Long, Chris Ritchter, and Shan Wells. The forms and materials chosen by each artist to represent the show’s theme of contemporary containers vary widely and give pause to the wonderfully enigmatic nature of the individual creative process. The works contained within the Shy Rabbit’s two galleries remind us of elemental concepts and processes. The works invite contemplation.
In conceiving the exhibit, Denise Coffee, co-owner of Shy Rabbit, stated, “Our intention behind titling the show ‘Hold It!’ was to request that viewers stop and take their time in carefully considering the works on display.” There is also a suggestion that the containers might hold ideas and thoughts. More than a request, the title is a command – and it is an appropriate one, not only for visitors to the exhibit but for Denise and her husband, Michael, as well.
For more than three years, in much the same way that an artist works from inspiration and vision to implementation, the Coffees have been invoking the creative process in their development of the Shy Rabbit. Their original 2,000 square feet of rented warehouse space was recently expanded to 4,000 square feet. Half the new area will be used for teaching ceramic workshops and the other 1,000 square feet is dedicated gallery space for their popular exhibitions. Along with the doubling of space has come a redoubling of the Coffee’s consideration of what they want to offer through their efforts at Shy Rabbit.
After nearly a year of the Shy Rabbit functioning solely as Michael’s ceramic studio, the Coffees officially opened the timid bunny’s doors in the spring of 2004. It was conceived as a contemporary art advocacy venue by initiating the Artist Roundtables, based on the European salon model whereby members of the arts community speak and lead discussions. Shy Rabbit also started offering workshops in specific art techniques and the business of art. And, most notably, the Coffees and their Creative Development Team of Pagosa residents Leanne Goebel, Al Olson and Shaun Martin, have presented some of the most provocative exhibitions of contemporary art in the area.
As with all things dynamic and alive, change comes. Though well attended, no roundtables or workshops are currently slated on this year’s Shy Rabbit schedule. Instead, the Coffees are expanding their physical space and pulling in their vision. They have succeeded in establishing the gallery as a premier contemporary art venue known not only for its support of emerging regional artists but also established, nationally known artists. They are inspired to make the Shy Rabbit a destination for art collectors by continuing to cultivate relationships with artists of the highest caliber.
Quality and professionalism have continually been the cornerstones of the Coffee’s efforts. Over the last few years, the essence of the Shy Rabbit has not changed, though its form continues to evolve. Three years and more than a dozen exhibitions later, the Coffees are turning inward. Their desire to share the Shy Rabbit space has been deeply rooted in their sense of community. Denise offered, “We have created the kind of artistic environment that inspires us. For our souls and creative spirits, we need to live surrounded by likeminded people.”
The Coffees have spent their lives associated with creative people and pursuing artistic expression. In West Los Angeles, where they lived and built art-related businesses before retiring to Pagosa in 2003, Michael lived a dual life as an architect and a professional artist. With her degree in fashion design, Denise built a dancewear company. Wildly successful, the business grew too fast, consuming Denise, and after nine years, she closed the company. Once revitalized, she began marketing Michael’s printmaking and ceramic work. Denise finds great satisfaction in promoting artists’ work that she believes in. “It is really necessary for the whole art-making structure,” she offered.
The Coffees wasted no time getting fully centered in their artistic lives in Colorado. D. Michael (his professional name) had a solo show of his ceramic work, “Place of Mind” at the Lakewood Cultural Center, near Denver, in August of 2004. His work filled the center’s 1,000-square-foot gallery, and in 2005, it was honored with a “Best of Denver” award from Westword Magazine.
Now, after a year of not making any new pieces due to the demands of directing the Shy Rabbit, Michael has began creating again. The Coffees are planning to present a show of Michael’s functional work – handbuilt platters and Asian-inspired tea bowls – in the near future. Denise emphasizes, “We are not being date driven anymore. We are scaling back from so many planned public exhibitions and will use the space more as a showroom for Michael’s work and for teaching workshops.”
It seems unlikely that these vital individuals will be able to hold back from their community offerings for very long. They have thrived on bringing people together around the arts. The Coffee’s latest interest involves exposing young people to contemporary art by hosting tours of their exhibits. The current show, “Hold It!,” presents work that is minimal, emotional, sensual and intellectual – unlike the usual visual faire displayed in the area – which should give the Pagosa Springs high school students quite a bit to contemplate. •
Published 01-11-07
Arting Around
by Jules Masterjohn
The creative process is alive and kicking at Shy Rabbit in Pagosa Springs. This vitality is evident in the gallery’s current exhibit, “Hold It!” featuring the work of Chad Haspels, Sarah Hewitt Clarissa Hudson, Mary Ellen Long, Chris Ritchter, and Shan Wells. The forms and materials chosen by each artist to represent the show’s theme of contemporary containers vary widely and give pause to the wonderfully enigmatic nature of the individual creative process. The works contained within the Shy Rabbit’s two galleries remind us of elemental concepts and processes. The works invite contemplation.
In conceiving the exhibit, Denise Coffee, co-owner of Shy Rabbit, stated, “Our intention behind titling the show ‘Hold It!’ was to request that viewers stop and take their time in carefully considering the works on display.” There is also a suggestion that the containers might hold ideas and thoughts. More than a request, the title is a command – and it is an appropriate one, not only for visitors to the exhibit but for Denise and her husband, Michael, as well.
For more than three years, in much the same way that an artist works from inspiration and vision to implementation, the Coffees have been invoking the creative process in their development of the Shy Rabbit. Their original 2,000 square feet of rented warehouse space was recently expanded to 4,000 square feet. Half the new area will be used for teaching ceramic workshops and the other 1,000 square feet is dedicated gallery space for their popular exhibitions. Along with the doubling of space has come a redoubling of the Coffee’s consideration of what they want to offer through their efforts at Shy Rabbit.
After nearly a year of the Shy Rabbit functioning solely as Michael’s ceramic studio, the Coffees officially opened the timid bunny’s doors in the spring of 2004. It was conceived as a contemporary art advocacy venue by initiating the Artist Roundtables, based on the European salon model whereby members of the arts community speak and lead discussions. Shy Rabbit also started offering workshops in specific art techniques and the business of art. And, most notably, the Coffees and their Creative Development Team of Pagosa residents Leanne Goebel, Al Olson and Shaun Martin, have presented some of the most provocative exhibitions of contemporary art in the area.
As with all things dynamic and alive, change comes. Though well attended, no roundtables or workshops are currently slated on this year’s Shy Rabbit schedule. Instead, the Coffees are expanding their physical space and pulling in their vision. They have succeeded in establishing the gallery as a premier contemporary art venue known not only for its support of emerging regional artists but also established, nationally known artists. They are inspired to make the Shy Rabbit a destination for art collectors by continuing to cultivate relationships with artists of the highest caliber.
Quality and professionalism have continually been the cornerstones of the Coffee’s efforts. Over the last few years, the essence of the Shy Rabbit has not changed, though its form continues to evolve. Three years and more than a dozen exhibitions later, the Coffees are turning inward. Their desire to share the Shy Rabbit space has been deeply rooted in their sense of community. Denise offered, “We have created the kind of artistic environment that inspires us. For our souls and creative spirits, we need to live surrounded by likeminded people.”
The Coffees have spent their lives associated with creative people and pursuing artistic expression. In West Los Angeles, where they lived and built art-related businesses before retiring to Pagosa in 2003, Michael lived a dual life as an architect and a professional artist. With her degree in fashion design, Denise built a dancewear company. Wildly successful, the business grew too fast, consuming Denise, and after nine years, she closed the company. Once revitalized, she began marketing Michael’s printmaking and ceramic work. Denise finds great satisfaction in promoting artists’ work that she believes in. “It is really necessary for the whole art-making structure,” she offered.
The Coffees wasted no time getting fully centered in their artistic lives in Colorado. D. Michael (his professional name) had a solo show of his ceramic work, “Place of Mind” at the Lakewood Cultural Center, near Denver, in August of 2004. His work filled the center’s 1,000-square-foot gallery, and in 2005, it was honored with a “Best of Denver” award from Westword Magazine.
Now, after a year of not making any new pieces due to the demands of directing the Shy Rabbit, Michael has began creating again. The Coffees are planning to present a show of Michael’s functional work – handbuilt platters and Asian-inspired tea bowls – in the near future. Denise emphasizes, “We are not being date driven anymore. We are scaling back from so many planned public exhibitions and will use the space more as a showroom for Michael’s work and for teaching workshops.”
It seems unlikely that these vital individuals will be able to hold back from their community offerings for very long. They have thrived on bringing people together around the arts. The Coffee’s latest interest involves exposing young people to contemporary art by hosting tours of their exhibits. The current show, “Hold It!,” presents work that is minimal, emotional, sensual and intellectual – unlike the usual visual faire displayed in the area – which should give the Pagosa Springs high school students quite a bit to contemplate. •
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