{"id":22268,"date":"2025-05-14T18:09:16","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T00:09:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/new-sculptures-installed-in-historic-downtown-farmington\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T22:12:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T04:12:49","slug":"new-sculptures-installed-in-historic-downtown-farmington","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/new-sculptures-installed-in-historic-downtown-farmington\/","title":{"rendered":"New sculptures installed in historic downtown Farmington"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Ahnesah
Ahnesah Jo Clark, of Shiprock, stands with her sculpture \u201cShush\u201d placed May 8 in Downtown Farmington. File Photo<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

The Art in the Heart Downtown Sculpture<\/a> exhibit was born three years ago from the idea that \u201cart fosters a community connection\u201d through the sharing of cultures and economic development, Farmington City Councilor Linda Rodgers said.<\/p>\n

It grew out of the City Council\u2019s decision to invest in the historic downtown, making it a \u201cdestination,\u201d Rodger said, adding art became \u201cessential\u201d to that concept.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis event has grown exponentially, and we are very happy to have it here,\u201d Rodgers said.<\/p>\n

It began with nine sculptures from regional artists and has grown to 17 pieces from artists in New Mexico, Colorado and Utah. The pieces were installed May 8, and a reception for the artists was May 10 at Artifacts Gallery.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re trying to grow this program so much,\u201d said Bev Taylor, owner of Artifacts. \u201cWe would love to have 200 entries in a year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Reven
Reven Swanson of Denver stands with her sculpture \u201cHelix Moon,\u201d which was installed May 8 on Main Strteet in downtown Farmington. (Brad Ryan\/Special to the Tri-City Record)<\/span>Brad Ryan<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

There were 35 entries for the 2025-2026 exhibit with one coming from an artist in New York, but the show is limited to artists living in the states making up the Four Corners region, said Warren Unsicker, economic development director for the city of Farmington.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is from the Four Corners,\u201d Unsicker said. \u201cWe include all four states to embody the cultural connectivity of our region here. It gives a great cross section of different artistic styles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe definitely have a more diverse swath of art.,\u201d he added. \u201cIt\u2019s a really a unique cross section this year. We are excited to have it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Brandon
Brandon Lee, Shawn Sorrell, Albert Wilson and Karen Lupton position the sculpture \u201cParallel Lines,\u201d by Robin Price of Farmington, on Main Street downtown. (Brad Ryan\/Special to the Tri-City Record)<\/span>Brad Ryan<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Each year a different artist is selected to choose the works that will placed along Main Street in downtown. This year the artist is Don Ellis, who teaches ceramics at San Juan College.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was very impressed with what we got,\u201d Ellis said, adding, in selecting the works he considered the \u201cprocesses\u201d used in creating the art.<\/p>\n

Ellis also considered the \u201cscale\u201d of each piece. \u201cIf you have a small piece put on the street, no one will be able to see it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He said the selection process was not an easy one, and a lot of it reflected his \u201cpersonal taste\u201d in art.<\/p>\n

Three artists had more than one piece selected.<\/p>\n

Cheryl Carlstrom of Lindon, Utah, has two pieces exhibited on Main Street. They are the bronze statues \u201cIn the Garden\u201d and \u201cSecret Keepers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m proud to be part of this beautiful project you are doing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Ahnesah Jo Clark, of Shiprock, has three steel pieces in the exhibit. They are \u201cLongevity Turtle,\u201d \u201cShush\u201d and \u201cCloud People,\u201d all of which reflect Native American symbolism and culture.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very excited, and I extend my appreciation to Tamie (Cottrell), who encouraged me to be a part of the program.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cottrell, of La Plata has one piece in the exhibit. It is titled \u201cThe Dreamer,\u201d made of metal and sandstone. The Farmington City Council purchased her \u201cWarrior Protector\u201d piece from last year\u2019s exhibit to become part of the city\u2019s permanent art collection.<\/p>\n

\"\u201cChinlone
\u201cChinlone Garden Orb\u201d is a sculpture by Christopher Thomson of Ribera. (Brad Ryan\/Special to the Tri-City Record)<\/span>Brad Ryan<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Christopher Thomson of Ribera has two works in the exhibit \u2013 \u201cChinlone Garden Orb\u201d and \u201cEyes to the Skies No. 2.\u201d<\/p>\n

Returning artist Jerry Severns of Denver brought \u201cOut for a Twirl.\u201d \u201cThis is a great program, a great opportunity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Fellow Coloradan Charlotte Zinc of Berthoud added, \u201cIt\u2019s wonderful to celebrate; art is a great connector.\u201d Her piece is titled \u201cLift.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other artists featured in the exhibit are Bill Bunting of Springfield, Colorado; Justin Deister of Louisville, Colorado; Sean Flanagan of Taos; Nathan Johansen of Provo, Utah; Robin Price of Farmington; Bobbi Rubing of Wheat Ridge, Colorado; and Reven Swanson of Denver.<\/p>\n

The sculptures, all of which are for sale, will be in downtown Farmington until April.<\/p>\n

\"On
On May 8 in Downtown Farmington, Brandon Lee and Shawn Sorrell position the sculpture \u201cEnd of an Age\u201d by Bill Bunting, of Springfield, Colorado.<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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