Stories behind the artists:
Members of the ASLD community share their stories and why #ArtMatters to them.
At ASLD, we believe everyone has a story to share. We also have a story to share—this year has been challenging. With the closure of our building and suspension of in-person courses for five months during the year, we have a significant need for additional support from our community. Course revenue is down by 35% and membership fees dropped by 23% resulting in almost $400,000 in lost revenue. Although at the moment we are surviving day by day, we are facing a large budget deficit for the coming year.
Today, we ask you to make a gift toward our year-end giving campaign that will make a difference in the lives of artists. The future of our art community depends on all of us. Can we count on you to help close the gap with a year-end gift to ASLD? Your gift today will provide virtual arts programming, in-person courses, youth engagement opportunities, visiting artists workshops, community-oriented exhibits, and so much more!
OR by mail 200 Grant St | Denver, CO 80206
OR by calling Development Manager Sarah James at 303-778-6990 ext. 1103
Featured Artists
Adriana Rondón-Rivero, Youth Program Faculty Member
Adriana Rondón-Rivero
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? Working at the ASLD has taught me the important role that art has to make changes for the good of the community, in my case the immigrant and Latino community. Also it has helped me to understand and accept the responsibility that I have as a role model for the latino and immigrant community in Denver which is an honor for me.
What faculty members have you taken courses with at ASLD? Holly Hurd, SA Bennett, Karen Bennett, Mark Friday.
What do you like about the ASLD community? I love everything about ASLD, especially the people that work there. How helpful they are and open to listen to new ideas. I love the freedom that I have as an artist and educator to introduce, in my case, my art style and expertise in the Performance Art field and expressive art and how they appreciate who I am as an immigrant and Latina artist.
Anything else you want to share with us? I feel completely supported and appreciated at the ASLD!
FloraJane DiRienzo, Parent of Beatrice & Beatrice DiRienzo, Student
Bea DiRienzo, Student
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? As a child we appreciated how ASLD helped guide the kids through a weeklong class focused on a similar theme, building in time for exploration, skill development and social emotional connection. We are looking forward to more classes so Bea’s artistry can grow! We have been looking for a creative outlet for her and ASLD feels like home to us!
What faculty members have you taken courses with as ASLD? Bethany Conrad
Benu Amun-Ra, Student & Parent of Quinn
Benu Amun-Ra
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? Incredibly! Taking the classes improved my art skills tremendously! It also introduced me to local AND foreign artists through their visiting artist program. I was exposed to different mediums of art and networking with the other artists in the community. It is a valuable forum!
What faculty members have you taken courses with as ASLD? Mamiko and Homare Ikeda, Dennis Pendleton, Susan DiMarchi, a few more
What do you like about the ASLD community? The diversity and complete support for local artists as well as exposing our community to other artists outside of our area. I thoroughly enjoy the visiting artists program and get excited EVERYTIME to see a new form of art expression. I also appreciate the sustainability goals of ASLD and the history they preserve through their activities like the building in which they are housed.
Anything else you want to share with us? ASLD is an amazing organization. They work tirelessly to bring beauty and art into our world especially at a time when the world is seeing the ugly side of a pandemic. They expand and cultivate the art community by providing a space for diversity, equity and inclusion, which I love. It is because of this, that they will always be a champion in the art community. They are an exhaustible resource of ultimate creativity. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Life would not be as bearable without you.
Bob Garcia, Student & Ceramics Studio Volunteer
Bob Garcia
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? It lets me work at my own pace and gives me the freedom to be me. ASLD has helped me see the world and people in all its beauty.
What faculty members have you taken courses with as ASLD? I started with Emanuel Martinez, John Lencicki, and Tony Ortega. I started taking ceramics with Cathy Avram, Shelley Schrieber, & Janey Skeer. I also took Bob Smith’s classes when he was a visiting artist – he introduced me to Raku, which I really love the effects of the clear crackle. I’ve enjoyed all of my classes and instructors.
Anything else you want to share with us? My daughter Olivia has also been taking classes at ASLD for more than 20 years, since she was about 7 years old. During my 24+ years with ASLD I have been a volunteer too. In the 90s I cleaned the Annex building. Over time faculty member & then ceramics studio manager Cathy Avram recognized how helpful and involved Bob was and asked if he would be willing to assist with maintaining ceramics studio, and I still volunteer in the ceramics studios today.
Carter Mehle, Former Teen Board Member, Summer Camp Assistant and Student
Carter Mehle
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? Through asld I acquired skills and experience that weren’t available anywhere else. It opened doors and prepared me for rigorous art programs in highschool and beyond; I’ve built multiple portfolios at ASLD to apply for highschool and colleges. The technical skills that I’ve picked up at the ASLD have been key factors in my work. As an animator, the many hours of life drawing practice I’ve had at ASLD starting when I was very young and continuing into adulthood have been imperative to my success and development in my major.
What do you like about the ASLD community? I appreciate how the community fosters creativity without the elitism that can sometimes come with the art world. I’ve never had an experience at the ASLD in which I haven’t felt as though everyone’s work was celebrated and encouraged.
Anything else you want to share with us? The ASLD has been an integral part of my life in three distinct phases, having helped nurture my art as a child, develop my skills as a pre-teen, and gave me a place to both work and grow as a young adult. The attached piece was made by compiling life drawings done at the ASLD.
Connie McArthur, Student, Past Board President & Lifetime Board Member
Connie McArthur
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? “Artist” is a hard title for me to claim. It is easier for me to say, “I paint” or “I am an art student.” Having said that, I think of myself as a very good art student and I’ve learned a great deal about drawing and oil painting at ASLD.
What faculty members have you taken courses with as ASLD? That first drawing class was with Mitch Castor. I remember being very proud of myself for drawing “Tweedy Bird.” I came home and hung my work on the refrigerator! Over the years I have taken from Molly Davis, Rick Brogan, Robert Spooner, Quang Ho, Kim English, Jordan Wolfson, Ron Hicks, Karen Roehl, Andrea Kemp, Daniel Sprick and Raj Chaudhuri. You’d think I’d get it by now! And, when I look at this list I say to myself, “How lucky am I?” Wow.
What do you like about the ASLD community? It is very welcoming. Students of all abilities and ages are welcome. There is always something new to learn! I have made wonderful friends at ASLD. That birthday gift is still giving!
Anything else you want to share with us? I have received a great deal personally being a member at ASLD. As a result of my experience as a student, and a Life-Long Board member, I feel responsible for making sure this community gem survives so others can be as enriched by the gift of art as I have been.
Deborah Jang, Mixed Media Faculty Member
Deborah Jang
Doug Dawson, Founder & Painting Faculty
Doug Dawson
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? Teaching has been a source of inspiration for me from the beginning. I learn when I help others learn. Teaching encourages me to explore ideas, principles and techniques I might not have considered.
What faculty members have you taken courses with as ASLD? Years ago, I took stone carving from Madeline Wiener
What do you like about the ASLD community? It is a community of people who share ideas and collaborate with others. It is a group of people with whom you can talk art.
Emeka Cook, Painting Faculty Member
Emeka Cook
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? ASLD has helped to shape my imagination to see beyond what I am looking at and bring me greater realization that I am one with the only one.
What faculty members have you taken courses with as ASLD? With the exception of Kim English, I have not formally taken classes with anyone. But in the old days I was allowed to paint with all of the ASLD instructors in every class.
What do you like about the ASLD community? I love the ASLD community because I love being among people/artists who love art. With so much division in the world today, it’s wonderful to come together and be as one in mind and spirit with all regarding everyone’s love of art at ASLD.
Anything else you want to share with us? I pray that ASLD will be here forever and ever! I miss it so much.
Gerry Kim, Student
Gerry Kim
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? My work life of owning and operating an ice cream business and a cocktail bar, Sweet Action and Retrograde, regularly requires me to make design decisions. From working with a packaging design team to painting a mural about our brand myth, a surprising amount of my work falls in the realm of applied art. What nurtures my ability to take on these projects is having ASLD as a forum to practice the elements of design and create in a more free form manner. In addition, ASLD has offered me a smorgasbord of opportunities to learn new artistic disciplines like jewelry design and sewing.
What faculty members have you taken courses with as ASLD? I’ve taken courses taught by Homare Ikeda, Jeff Wenzel, Kim Harrell and Vicky Nolan. I’ve also dropped in on the open figure study sessions and attended a few of the artists professional development sessions. The knowledge and support provided by the faculty at ASLD have been amazing. Beyond the techniques they’ve taught me, I’ve learned a lot from experiencing the unique ways that each of them see and approach art.
What do you like about the ASLD community? I love that the ASLD community is a diverse group of supportive individuals. I’ve met people of all ages from different walks of life at ASLD and it has been energizing to join around our common desire to explore the visual world.
Anything else you want to share with us? The ASLD programs are easy to jump in and out of depending on your time availability and interests. There aren’t too many prerequisites and the faculty design their courses so that there’s flexibility to explore a specific interest or project if you have one. Give it a try! The classes are a lot of fun and they will change the way you see things.
Harry Utter, Board Secretary and Student
Harry Utter
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? I have always had a strong interest in monotypes and printmaking, but didn’t want to have to enroll in a degree program at CU, DU, or MSU Denver in order to take printmaking courses and get access to a print studio. I have not only enjoyed by courses at ASLD, but the printmaking community at ASLD has introduced me to new friends and has helped me to experiment with the medium and find new areas of focus.
What faculty members have you taken courses with at ASLD? Mark Lunning, Joe Higgins, Patricia Bainard, Jennifer Gormley
What do you like about the ASLD community? It is a very open, diverse, and “all welcoming” arts community. Everyone has the opportunity to become an artist, and it is not judgmental.
Anything else you want to share with us? I love coming to the print studio in our old school house. It has so much character, with the high ceilings, big windows, and great natural light.
Monoprint with solarplate etching and hand painted oil based inks, paper size 15hx22″w, Rives White Paper
Holly-Kai Hurd, Mixed Media Faculty Member & Faculty Board Member
Holly-Kai Hurd
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? ASLD has shaped me as an artist in the way that it has allowed me to stretch out and ultimately grow, which is always the goal. I never stated specifically what I wanted to do here beyond teaching, but I’ve always felt our relationship is a little magic because the things they’ve approached me about being involved in have always been things that are exactly my THING. Like working with the Plaza Program in the libraries or The Gathering Place. My background was community organizing as well. Sometimes in an artistic capacity and sometimes not. It’s important to me to be around other artists and people that are serious about art but it’s even more important to me to be among “the people in my neighborhood” (as sesame street would say) and my community that may not typically move in these art circles. As artists we know the benefits of the creation process and sometimes others don’t so I feel like community interaction often affords me the privilege of introducing people to that or simply creating in community which ALWAYS encourages what I feel is positive interaction and a certain level of openness among strangers! THat can be both fun and enlightening but is ultimately how community strengthened and brought together! Other opportunities presented to me such as serving on the board have supported my growth as both artist and business person beyond my own personal arts business and affairs. It’s a huge learning experience.
What faculty members have you taken courses with as ASLD? I took classes from Deborah Bays, my favorite and Kim Putnam. When Dawn Williams Boyd, a Visiting Artist came I took her fabric portraits class and the recent workshop with Visiting Artist Gregg Deal. This year I hope to get back to taking even more classes, some print classes and millinery to name a few. –Also, I love that we can take classes here as well! Honestly sometimes I forget I have this option.
What do you like about the ASLD community? I like the openness of the ASLD community. I think that’s priceless in a creative community and sadly there are many organizations or companies that say that’s what they want to represent, but they also really want to control how artists do that and what that looks like. Art and being a professional artist is largely about having the freedom to speak to what you feel’s important and drawing people into that aesthetic or idea. –Or pulling people into a thought or idea VIA an aesthetic. To censor or control or an artists voice really limits the power and reach of art and I don’t think that anyone who understands art or is serious about learning art would ever want that.
Kalliopi Monoyios, Student and Guest Curator of The Plasticene
Kalliopi Monoyios
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? The opportunity Rachel Basye gave me last year to create The Plasticene exhibit was an absolute gift. I wrote a blog on the intersection of science and art for Scientific American for six years (called Symbiartic), so I had experience curating artists around a theme. But I had never had the opportunity to curate an in-person show and I’m grateful to Rachel for taking a risk and to Nancy Walsh on the Board for making the connection. I’ve always been interested in creating spaces for conversation – among artists, in the general public, etc. – but mostly this has happened online through my writing. To have a tangible exhibit and be privy to at least some of the conversations it started in the ASLD building was wonderfully rewarding for me as an artist and curator.
What faculty members have you taken courses with as ASLD? Over the years, I’ve taken short courses with Martha Russo, Chris Perez, Jennifer Ghormly, and Beth Cavener which were very informative and inspiring. I’ve used tips I learned from each of these talented artists in my work and I’m grateful for their generosity of spirit. More recently: the workshop by Lim Ok-Sang was phenomenal. He is an impressive and inspiring artist that I was grateful to be exposed to through the ASLD and Sammy Seung-Min Lee. Her efforts to bring contemporary Asian artists to the heart of the US is admirable and I’m so glad the ASLD was able to take part in the cultural exchange. Also, I was thrilled to be able to invite Laurie Frick through The Plasticene exhibit to be a visiting artist through the ASLD’s Visiting Artist Workshop series. Her workshop (on using our personal data to create art with hand-dyed paper) and her artist’s talk were innovative and thoughtful. I’ve found myself returning to her themes of reclaiming our data as I move through my daily life (which, during the pandemic, is increasingly online and tracked!)
What do you like about the ASLD community? Besides the programming and exposure to a creative community in Denver, I’d say I love the facilities – the building is incredible – it has such character and energy. Everytime I walk in I feel its steady presence and it grounds me. It’s a great place to create.
Anything else you want to share with us? I think ASLD is great. Easy to work with, creative and nimble, responsive and such a resource for the community. I feel lucky to have ASLD so close and hope to be involved for years to come.
Kenneth Brewer, Student
Kenneth Brewer
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? ASLD has allowed me to explore art in many different ways. Not only has it taught me to draw and paint, it has given me the opportunity to grow at my own pace. It has allowed me to have access to incredible artists on an ongoing basis to learn from them and get mentorship from them. ASLD has given me the space to decide how deeply I want to go as an artist.
What faculty members have you taken courses with as ASLD? Joshua Fallik, Jean Shiff, Ken Valastro, John Linciki, Rob Gratiot, Mitch Castor, Rick Brogan, Michael Gadlin, Mark Friday, Jeff Wenzel, Zoe Tessier
What do you like about the ASLD community? I like the openness of the members, instructors and faculty at ASLD. I find that ASLD is very supportive of my efforts to be an artist and to grow as an artist and a person. I very much appreciate the instruction and mentorship that I have received from the instructors and fellow classmates over the years.
Kim Harrell, Jewelry Faculty Member
Kim Harrell
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? ASLD has made me a better teacher. I have become more aware of my skills and process and how to communicate these things in a way that is easily understood. I love what I do and have great passion for it. Working at ASLD gives me an opportunity to share it.
What faculty members have you taken courses with as ASLD? Joe Higgins, Mitch Caster and Mark Friday (this was interrupted by COVID and I only had one screen printing session).
What do you like about the ASLD community? It has given me many professional opportunities such as the Summer Art Market which is the only ‘art fair’ I participate in all year; being featured on Art Scene (Denver Channel 8), Art & Soul, etc. I have acquired private students and received commissions from my interactions at ASLD. One of the best things is I get to interact with my fellow artists. We are so spread out, working individually in our studios and our own little worlds. I take classes with my colleagues, run into them at SAM and in the building and at ASLD and non-ASLD art events. I feel part of a community – it’s almost like a ‘club’.
Lorenzo Chavez, Painting Faculty Member
Lorenzo Chavez
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? ASLD had a profound influence on me as an artist. I was able to attend classes and workshops with professional artists that I admire and respect.
What faculty members have you taken courses with as ASLD? I studied with Mark Daily at ASLD and took workshops with Ned Jacob, Clyde Aspevig and Richard Schmid.
What do you like about the ASLD community? In addition to inspiring classes, Events, Exhibitions, meeting artist friends and now as a teacher of Landscape Painting it is the inspiring people that all have a love and passion for the arts.
Anything else you want to share with us? I sure hope a book is created someday about ASLD: its teachers, founders and artists of note.
Mami Yamamoto, Student & Printroom Monitor
Mami Yamamoto
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? My first class with Joe was excellent and it was exactly what I needed as a beginner. I learned the basic skills for monotype printmaking along with the etiquette for the studio use. Joe could always find something positive to say about each student’s work regardless of where they were in their career. He also showed us so many “non-traditional” materials to use in order to develop our creativity and I was greatly inspired by those instructions. This very first class that I took certainly gave me motivation and encouragement to continue printmaking. Additionally since I do not have my own etching press at home, the accessibility to the open studio has tremendously helped me to create my work throughout the year.
What faculty members have you taken courses with at ASLD? Joe Higgins for basic monotype, Mark Lunning for other areas of basic printmaking skills, Theresa Haberkorn for woodblock printmaking, Mark Friday for screen printing, and Tony Ortega for monotype on black paper.
What do you like about the ASLD community? ASLD is an unique learning community where any adult, as well as younger age groups, can learn very basic to advanced skills in various art mediums. What I like about the ASLD community is the accessibility to all classes without having a sense of intimidation or pressure. Many of the instructors that I know are professionals in their fields and they teach at ASLD on a regular basis. The school administrators are very friendly and helpful for needs and other issues that the students might encounter. The atmosphere at ASLD is so down to earth and has maintained such a sense of community as a whole ever since I stepped in the door the first time.
Anything else you want to share with us? ASLD is a great learning environment if you are interested in exploring your artistic abilities. There are many events and shows you can be involved in throughout the year and the annual Summer Art Market is the best outdoor art show in which you can participate in Denver!
Mandi Quinn, Admin Staff & Faculty Member
Mandi Quinn
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? As an insatiable learner, the ASLD is a perfect fit for me. Although I’m mainly a printmaker, I love finding new mediums to exhibit my ideas and often working in new ways informs my art.
What faculty members have you taken courses with as ASLD? I have been a student of Vicky Smith, Jack Heimerman, Will Dickinson, Jackie Smith, and Cathy Avram.
What do you like about the ASLD community? I’m so grateful for the community that ASLD has built. Being able to share skills, ideas and stories with artistic peers is something I’ll never take for granted, especially emerging from quarantine.
Mark Friday, Printmaking & Assemblage Faculty Member
Mark Friday
The first great interaction with ASLD occurred in 1997 when I shared a booth at the Summer Art Market. I have a participated in every one since then, and have found SAM to be a great value to me as an exhibiting artist. It’s a fun event, a great chance to meet people, and an opportunity to receive very useful feedback about your work.
In the Spring of 2000, I started teaching screen printing at ASLD and have been on the faculty since then, also teaching assemblage sculpture since 2011. Teaching at ASLD for the past 20 years has enabled me to interact with a great number of artists of all levels from beginning to established. It has been a joy and a privilege to help artists achieve some small degree of success with their art endeavors and at the same time I benefit from the interaction.
Since art making is generally a solitary experience, it is great to have a facility like ASLD where an art community exists. Over the years, I have gotten to know, and become friends with students, faculty, and staff members.
The piece included was in a 2014 faculty exhibit at ASLD. I had first created the piece for a large exhibit of assemblage Sculpture at the Republic Plaza called Scrounge. I can’t recall the title I used for the piece, but will title it Kiosk for now. The structure contains various objects and images and a variety of media, all inspired by artist, Robert Rauschenberg.
Quinn Martinez, Student
Quinn Martinez
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? ASLD has given me a great foundation in classical art skills, an opportunity to build community and network with other artists
What faculty members have you taken courses with at ASLD? Sandy Ceas, Tiffany Miller Russell, several other teachers I can’t remember
What do you like about the ASLD community? The classes and teachers. I like meeting other artists from the community and checking out the art exhibits.
Anything else you want to share with us? It is really hard to be a person living with a disability. Art gives me a space that I can be myself and use my skills in art to help me cope with my day to day life.
Rita Vali, Ceramics Faculty Member
Rita Vali
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? Teaching asks of me as an artist to articulate what I do and share it with others. I’ve made many connections with ceramic enthusiasts, collectors, makers, and students.
What faculty members have you taken courses with as ASLD? Numerous visiting artists for Ceramics workshops, Jonathon Kaplan, Kim Harrell, Judith Mamet, and I plan to take drawing and monoprint and iphonography
What do you like about the ASLD community? I like the supportive community of artists and students who share enthusiasm for art.
Anything else you want to share with us? The staff are very supportive of faculty. The various events and exhibits make me proud to be a faculty at this institution.
Timothy Standring, Student
Timothy Standring
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? The instructors at the ASLD have given me superb professional advice and technical information about materials and techniques along with philosophical musings about the objects we are painting.
What faculty members have you taken courses with as ASLD? Clyde Steadman and Jane Jones
What do you like about the ASLD community? The sharing conviviality of the faculty, staff and other students.
Anything else you want to share with us? I was hesitant to sign up for online learning, but after doing so, found the sessions to be informative beyond expectations. The instructors are patient and responsive to all students regardless of their level of proficiency. I’m thrilled to say that I’ve grown as an artist from the instruction I’ve received from Clyde and Jane.
Victoria Eubanks, Encaustic Faculty Member & Former Faculty Board Member
Victoria Eubanks
How has ASLD shaped you as an artist? Every time I teach a class I learn something new! Just being around creative people opens my eyes to all sorts of possibilities and opportunities.
What faculty members have you taken courses with as ASLD? Hmmm, I sure I’ll miss some – Patricia Aaron, Judith Cassel-Mamet, Dianna Fritzler, Jo Fitsell, Jennifer Ghormley, Joe Higgins and a few guest artists as well
What do you like about the ASLD community? There is a lot to like at ASLD! I like that there is art instruction available for all levels in lots of mediums. If someone wants to take a class just for fun this is the place, if someone is a serious artist, honing skills, this is the place. For someone who wants to connect with other creatives this is a great place. I also love that ASLD has initiated many community engagement programs; our faculty has taught in the local libraries, prisons, women’s shelters, to name a few. And I love our admin staff, knowledgeable and ready to help. Yea, I’m a big fan of ASLD
Anything else you want to share with us? I have had some great opportunities come my way through ASLD. I’ve been involved with the promotion of the Summer Art Market on local media, big fun! I was part of a group exhibition at the fabulous Pattern Shop Gallery, and also given the opportunity to design and produce the actual awards one year for the Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in Arts & Culture. I love being able to tell folks I teach at the Denver Art Students League, it almost feels like bragging rights.
