William Sitting Bull, Eagle Hawk, Acrylic on Canvas, 30" X 30"
Two artists working in two diverse mediums, will share their visions in a special exhibition at the Cultural Arts Council's Fine Art Gallery during May 2008.
“Native Visions” features Estes Park artist William Sitting Bull, the great-great grandson of Chief Sitting Bull. His Native American beliefs from the spirit world and persons of honor from his native heritage are brought to life on large and small scale canvas in bold acrylic colors and precise delicate design. Sitting Bull's life experiences are reflected in and detailed imagery, and his paintings will speak to you, if you listen. Ancient stories and truths are revealed through the layers of paint and ongoing wisdom of William Sitting Bull.
William O. Zelt’s love for whittling as a child has grown to professional passion for wood and carving it into beautiful works of art. His clocks, also on exhibit during May, represent a three year carving and book project which is being premiered during the “Native Visions” exhibition. The collection will include clocks carved from quarter sawn oak, curly maple, walnut, cherry, maple, linden and mahogany woods.
The public is invited to attend a Meet the Artist Reception is slated for Friday May 2 in the gallery from 5 to 8 PM. Both artists will be present, and a poster and book signing is scheduled. Sitting Bull will be signing posters throughout May, and Zelt will also be signing books on two Saturdays May 3 and May 10.
William Zelt will present a woodcarving demonstration on May 10 in the gallery and William Sitting Bull will present painting demonstrations during Art Walk Weekend and JazzFest in Estes Park, CO on May 17 & 18, 2008.
The Cultural Arts Council Fine Art Gallery hours are 12 noon to 5 PM daily. Additional information can be obtained by calling 970-586-9203 or at cacep@earthlink.net.
About the Artists:
William Sitting Bull, Fine Art Painting - Estes Park, CO
“The spirit of my art will speak to those who are tuned into it.”
The spirit world, ancestral beliefs and stories, rich heritage, wildlife and native American peoples inspire the paintings and art of William Sitting Bull, the great-great grandson of Four Robes and legendary Chief Sitting Bull.
As a child growing up on the Pineridge Reservation in South Dakota, his first artistic experiences included using his finger to draw imaginary scenes on his ceiling. “Before I became an artist, I was an artist” states Sitting Bull. At 12 he left the reservation to live in a series of foster homes, but was able to visit his mother during the summer. It was her love and encouragement that developed his persona as an artist today.
The passion to pursue his art, and a determination to succeed led him through a journey that included a career as an architect and now as a full time artist with a studio in Estes Park, Colorado.
His one man show, “Native Visions”, documents this journey and the many influences that inspire his works today. Small and large scale paintings, sculptural pieces and wearable art will be on exhibition and sale in the Cultural Arts Council’s Fine Art Gallery exhibition May 2 – 24 in Estes Park, CO.
William Sitting Bull will be present at the opening of Native Visions on May 2, and will be painting on location at the JazzFest in Performance Park on the west end of Elkhorn Ave. on May 17 & 18 from 12 noon to 5 PM each day.
William O. Zelt, Woodcarver/Sculptor - Loveland, CO
William O. Zelt loved to whittle as a child, and as a teenager in late high school he began to take his art more seriously. He studied under several master carvers, and majored in sculpture for four years at the Loveland Academy of Fine Arts.
Zelt is an accomplished sculptor, and has created numerous works in bronze. Today, he has returned to his first medium of choice wood, and technique of choice carving.
The 17 clocks on display in the Cultural Arts Council Fine Art Gallery took three years to complete. Each clock was inspired by elements of nature such as vines, flowers, wildlife, art movements or Zelt’s love of the outdoors. Several designs were derived from the artist’s travels abroad to Germany, and the famous carving region of the Black Forest. Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts schools of design can be found in mantle style clocks, large clocks depicting fishing or canoeing, and fantasy scenes including castles and unicorns.
Zelt recently self-published a book, “The Spirit of Wood Carving Clocks”, which contains all of the clocks in the show. Detailed drawings and photographs accompany each clock. Other wood carving enthusiasts are invited to recreate his clocks or use his designs as a launching point for creations of there own. Books will be available for sale through May 24, and several signings are scheduled for the opening on May 2, and during a wood carving demonstration in the gallery slated for May 10 in Estes Park, CO.
William Sitting Bull has set up residency during his current exhibition, "Native Visions", at the CAC Fine Art Gallery and is painting on a daily basis through May 24, 2008. On display are large and small scale paintings, prints and Native American jewelry created by Sitting as well as other jewelry pieces, rugs and basketry.
The public is invited to stop by and watch Sitting Bull and to learn more about the symbolism, colors and techniques used in creating his work.
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