Painter, Jewelry Maker, Eco-thrift Artist
Carolina Suarez-Purdum

Fri. & Sat. Sept. 25 & 26, October 2 & 3

Carolina is back for a second stint at the Art Lab. Due to a boneheaded scheduling snafu on my part, Carolina enjoyed one week at the Lab, then we asked her to to take a two week hiatus. Being the kind soul that she is, she capitulated and agreed to come back for the next two weeks.

Carolina is a local artist by way of her Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts from Washington State University, creates paper mache earrings, broaches, pendants, paints recycled clothing to make them new, and flips old canvases.  Her process is  eco-thrifty.

Her paintings explore the complexity of consciousness in each moment and the process of events that connect the past to the present.
Carolina says:

The result is an exercise in serendipity that is usually quite surprising.
Each moment spent in front of the canvas is documented in colors.
I believe life can be joyfully accounted for in a material way through creative action.

don't have a cow

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Anton in Show Business
OpenStage etc performance
Opens Fri., Sept. 25, 8 pm

“A smart, acerbic crowd pleaser ….Simultaneously a love letter and a poison pen letter to the American theatre.” Variety
“Hilarious, smart and even a little warped.” Houston Press

etc_newAnton in Show Business by Jane Martin
Directed by Tracy Salter
A savvy, wry satire, Anton in Show Business is full of wild antics and humor in the great tradition of the backstage comedy. When a self-centered sitcom star, a jaded off-off-Broadway actress and an innocent third grade teacher are brought together for an ill-fated production of Anton Chekhov’s The Three Sisters in San Antonio, Texas, the result is a madcap, award-winning circus that skewers incompetent producers, idiot directors, surgically beautified actors, crass sponsors and self-important critics. Knowledge of Chekhov is not required.

Contains adult language and themes.

Fridays and Saturdays * 8:00pm
September 25 to October 18

Sunday Matinees, October 4, 11, 18 * 2:00pm

Please Call Openstage Offices at 970-484-5237 to reserve tickets for this event, or
purchase tickets at the door.  $14.00

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We Want You:
Art Lab looking for a few good artists

We get to call 140 W. Mountain home through November of 2009, and we’re looking for artists to share the space. If you’d like to call Art Lab home for a couple of weeks (or a couple of days), and do your part to share in this cooperative environment, give us a call (970-829-1953) or email [email protected]. We’re looking for musicians, performers, visual artists, teachers, students to share the love.

There is NO FEE to use the space — but we ask that you (or someone you trust) occupy the Art Lab Space during the regular open hours (Fridays from 6 to 9pm and Saturdays from Noon to 6pm).

Our goal is to have live music or performances and visual artists share the space every Friday nights and Saturday afternoons. We’ll supply the space, you bring the creative energy.

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Terms of Usage — Visual Artists

Art Lab requires a two-week commitment for visual artists. This allows two weekends of demonstration, and time during the week for private receptions or studio work time. If you have an idea for a large installation and need more time in the space, we can negotiate an extended show. A typical visual art cooperative commitment includes:

  • Move in Thursday before your scheduled opener date; or take advantage of the interactive energy of the space and hang your show while the public watches on Friday evening.
  • Hands-on demonstration of your project Friday night from 6 to 9pm and Saturday from Noon to 6pm, two consecutive weekends. We prefer that you occupy the space both Fridays and Saturdays — this experiment is all about showing the public your creative process.
  • Can’t commit to two Fridays and Saturdays? We’ll make an exception if your installation includes an self-guided interactive or educational feature.
  • Move out end of day Saturday (after 6pm), or anytime the following 5 days.
  • You will be sharing the space with other visual artists and musicians and/or live performers. The more the merrier, right?

Hours of Operation for Visual Artists

Fridays from 6 to 9pm, Saturdays from Noon to 6pm

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Terms of Usage —
Musicians and Live Performers

Art Lab requires a one day commitment for musicians and performers. We HOPE you’ll loving using the space so much that you’ll make use of the space both Friday night and Saturday afternoon. A typical band, musical or performance cooperative commitment includes:

  • Set up one-half hour before the doors open and you are scheduled to play.
  • Friday nights we ask that you play all three hours — with reasonable breaks and down time.
  • Saturdays — we understand that playing or performing six hours straight is a bit much, so we ask that you play two to three hours between Noon and 6pm. Of course you are welcome to play all day if you’d like.
  • You can use the Art Lab space as a kind of live practice space, or a polished show. It’s your call.
  • The public wants to see what you are doing and how you do it. Please interact with visitors and make them feel welcome.
  • No, you don’t have to let someone play your guitar, or drums, or keyboard. You’d be surprised how many people ask.
  • The Art Lab community piano and drum set is available to any band that wants to use them.
  • Yes, we have a 1952 vintage Hammond in the space — you can use it if you treat it with love and respect. It’s a little touchy, so we’ll have to show you how to crank it up.
  • At this time you must supply your own sound system. We’re working on securing a couple of mikes, amps and speakers.
  • Yes, you can sell CDs, t-shirts, posters and set out a tip jar.
  • You will be sharing the space with visual artists and the public.

Hours of Operation for Musicians and Live Performers

Fridays from 6 to 9pm, Saturdays any two to three hours between Noon to 6pm

What are the rules for using the space and other smart questions:

  • Art and music SALES ARE PERMITTED. There is NO COMMISSION taken by Art Lab. If you sell it, you keep it (that’s why we are asking you to “work” the space while your show is active.
  • You CAN host a reception in the space, but no alcoholic beverages are permitted. Sounds boring, huh? Just get creative — who wouldn’t love to attend an art opening that served milk shakes?
  • Yes, we have restrooms.
  • Yes, the space is insured.
  • If you sell something, please collect sales tax and pay City sales taxes.
  • You CAN teach a class in the space. We have tables and chairs, and LOVE the idea of a hands-on learning experience. (Classes only require a one-day commitment).
  • Please clean up after yourself. There are garbage and recycling bins in the back alley.
  • There is parking for two cars behind the building — which makes it easy to load and unload gear.
  • This Art Lab web site is a great opportunity to promote yourself, so please send us a one or two paragraph description, photo, and links to your MySpace, Facebook or Web pages. We’ll do our part to promote YOUR Art Lab experience.
  • We are open to larger events with multiple artists — please call us to share your ideas (Dawn’s cell: 970-829-1953).
  • How can we afford to offer the space for free? The owners of the building, Bohemian Foundation and Front Range Restaurant Management, are donating the temporary use of the space (see the Brought To You By page); Toolbox Creative is doing their part to make Fort Collins a better to place to live by managing the bookings, Web site, PR and marketing; Realtec is helping manage the details of the building (gotta love a clean bathroom); and WalkFortCollins.com is helping with big ideas and lots of contacts.

Email us or give us a call (970-829-1953) with your idea for the space and your ideal dates. Weekends are starting to fill up, but we have plenty of time to share the space with you.

Come on, show us what you got.

What’s in it for you?

You get to use this space for FREE to showcase your talents. You can apply to use the space more than once. In addition to the store front exposure in Old Town Fort Collins, you may display posters, hand out brochures, promote your web site, use the space to share your talent with the world. In return, we’ll promote you on the Art Lab web site, and be there to cheer you on.

Individuals or groups that use the space will be asked to supply images (jpegs via email) and a short description that best represent themselves, their performance or creative project. This information and imagery will serve as the basis for our promotion of the project and inclusion in the Art Lab site.

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