JANUARY 2008 ONLINE EDITORIALS
Art Trek: Cutting Edge Gallery Beams into the Fort
By Maggie Kunze
When you have been in Fort Collins as long as I have – thirty plus years and yes, I moved here when I was a mere babe – I get excited to see new artists come onto the scene. One of the most innovative and cutting edge gallery spaces recently opened up in Old Town: The Gallery Underground located in the basement of the Avery building at 109 Linden St. When I was at their opening party, I almost forgot I was in Fort Collins: it had such a cool downtown flavor that I almost thought I was in the BIG CITY! They have definitely caused a buzz and it tickles me to see fresh ideas and a place where new artists have a showcase.
The gallery is the brainchild of three very talented people: Darren Mahuron, Erin Mortensen and Jacquelynn Woodley. Together they are out to turn the art world of Fort Collins on its ear! Darren and wife Lisa have owned Summit Studio Photography since 2005, and Darren has approached his photography business much the same way he is steering the gallery. Not the same ole, same ole. His photography covers mostly art and commercial projects now, but you can get him to do a portrait shoot if you’re willing to let him show you different ways of thinking. If you want your kids in their Sunday finest all facing the camera and smiling saying “cheese”, you ought to go to Sears, but if you want a very arty shot in a surprising or whimsical setting – let Darren loose!
The three partners all met at a time perfect for the birth of The Gallery Underground. Darren had been looking at gallery spaces in different cities when he met Erin in Portland. She was convinced to pack her bags and move to the Fort upon hearing Darren’s ideas for a new kind of gallery space where people didn’t necessarily paint aspen and horses. Jacquelynn met the pair when she was ready to make a move back to Colorado after experiencing frustrating experiences in galleries in Montana.
The more they talked about the idea, the more other artists and friends tried to talk them out of it. People said “Fort Collins is way too conservative” and “There have been galleries before that tried to be different – they didn’t make it”. They also found many artists who were not able to find galleries that would take a chance on them and artists who were ready to change their art to look more mainstream for the sake of sales.
So the trio put their time, energy and savings together and found the space in the basement of Old Town. Their collaboration is evident in the look and feel of the gallery: It is contemporary, bright and inviting. The three are serious about getting the word out for people to come off the beaten path and see art by some very talented up and coming Colorado artists. They are determined to find unique artists and keep the canvas constantly changing.
The Gallery will consistently show the three partners work as well as bring in three to five guest artists each month. They each have studio space downstairs as well, which proves extremely convenient for work while establishing the Gallery. All three all are very idealistic but pragmatic about changing the status quo. Darren has been giving talks at local high schools inspiring kids that they too can blaze new trails. “We need to retain the young people in town – they are definitely the future. They need to know that they don’t have to go to a big city to have impact. Why go to a city that is over–saturated and be just a part of something where everyone is doing the same thing when you can be original and successful at the same time.”
All three partners are in this venture for the long haul, and I think they are going at it with a great deal of talent and certainly a lot of sweat equity. Because sales don’t dictate which artists they bring in, they have more freedom in who and what they showcase. As a definite bonus, sales have been very good so far, and they are encouraged that Fort Collins does indeed support emerging artists.
As they grow, they see the Gallery as becoming a forum for many different art forms: musicians, poetry readings, film writers, sculpture as well as visual artists. If you haven’t seen the current show that runs through January 3rd, get there! One of the guest artists is Graham Franciose, a bartender from Vail who is doing his first gallery show ever and his work is incredible! Local artist Colleen Ford and Zeke Derderian also have made a big splash with their pieces. And of course the new work from the three resident artists is always a must see! Good luck to you guys. It’s great to see your energy and ideas and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Submissions may be sent to galleryunderground@gmail.com or contact them at 970–224–4415 or at myspace.com/thegalleryunderground