CORTEZ – The annual Aspen Guard Station Art Show artists’ reception takes place Friday, Sept. 9, 2011, 5-7:30 p.m., at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 North Market Street. 

Attendees can meet the artists from last year’s Artist-in-Residence Program and view the artwork inspired by their stays at the historic Aspen Guard Station. Refreshments will be served. The show will be on display through the month of September.

Featured regional artists include Lisa Mueller (acrylics); Amy Vaclav-Felker (Day of the Dead shadow boxes); Chandler Wigton (mixed media); Kathy Steckel (pastel and glass); and Irene Wanner (writing).

The goal of the Aspen Guard Station Artist-in-Residence Program is to enhance public awareness of natural and cultural resources on public lands through unique artistic viewpoints.  For the past 15 years, the San Juan National Forest has hosted painters, writers, poets, musicians, photographers, potters, sculptors, and other artists at the historic Guard Station. The rustic log cabin, built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, is a former ranger station set in an aspen forest north of Mancos. In return for residencies, artists donate to the program, offer free public workshops, and participate in the annual art show.

Pettengill Wins Wild West History Award

RIDGWAY – Ridgway resident Jim Pettengill, a nonfiction writer, was recently presented with the 2011 Outstanding Western History Article Award by the Wild West History Association at its annual convention in Cody, Wyo.  Pettengill’s article, “The Marlow Brothers’ Texas Ordeal and Their Life in Ouray County,” was published in the Ouray County Historical Society Journal in 2010. It tells the story of George and Charley Marlow, who fought off a vigilante mob that attacked them near Graham, Texas, killing two of their brothers. They later moved to the Ridgway and Colona areas where they were solid citizens and ranchers, serving as lawmen for many years, as well as on the school board. Their story became the basis for the film classic The Sons of Katie Elder.

“This award is a significant honor, both for me and for the Ouray County Historical Society,” said Pettengill. “It shows that documenting local history is important, and that the publications of local historical societies play an important role in preserving the events and accomplishments of the people who made us who we are. The Marlow brothers’ story of courage, devotion to family, and community service speaks clearly to us today.”

Pettengill is a retired geologist who has been freelance writing for 25 years in the fields of history of the American West and vintage motorsports.  He is a regular contributor to Wild West and Classic Motorsports magazines.  Copies of the OCHS Journal containing his award-winning article are available at the Ouray County Historical Museum, or online at www.mtsneffelspress.com. 

Southwest Artists League Paintings, Native Stone Carvings on Display in Cortez

CORTEZ – The Cortez Public Library has new fall displays. Patron Barbara Looff is sharing her collection of native stone carvings and sculptures until the end of October, and two paintings are on loan from Keith Hutcheson. The Southwest Artists League is displaying paintings through the end of September. 

The library is located at 202 N. Park St.; for more information, call 970/565-8117.