Last week I told you about the restoration of the Bauer Bank Building, so let’s go inside and meet the Artisans of Mancos and their gallery.
Eighteen artists and artisans display their work and manage the studio. They are organized, have officers, and each one takes a turn staffing the store, cleaning, and taking care of the business. New artists are always welcome if there is room.
Bonnie Loving is a young Artisan who works with horseshoes. Across the street in the vacant lot is a horse standing on his hind legs – 8 to 9 feet tall and made from nothing but horseshoes. He is magnificent! Last week, there was a 6-foot-tall cactus and a large flower – now sold.
Inside, Bonnie’s space is filled with boot racks and bead racks, toilet paper and towel racks, holders for wine bottles and glasses, shelves, garden monsters – almost everything you can think of, and all made with horseshoes.
I asked her how she got started with them. She told me that when she graduated from college there were lots of bills and lots of free horseshoes, and that’s the story. Or is the beginning of the story?
Dick Young, another Artisan, is a retired Mancos High School teacher. When the school was awarded a grant several years ago, Dick taught technology and in that category was photography. And as he proudly says, one of his photography students was Stephanie Stuckman. Stephanie has a corner in the gallery filled with photos of birds and animals. Cards, photos, puzzles and games are available. A favorite photo hangs on the wall with others – a picture of a fox leaping in the air, which Empire Electric Association used for the cover of its magazine this month.
While talking with Stephanie, I asked her how she got such detailed, active photos of animals.
“It takes hours of patiently watching an animal, perhaps while it’s sleeping, waiting for it to wake up, yawn or stretch. Or maybe a family of bears playing until you are able get the perfect picture.”
Stephanie is an artist with lots of talent, and even more patience.
When she is not out taking pictures, she is receptionist at a Mancos veterinarian’s office.
Oops, I almost forgot: Dick Young also makes jewelry boxes and sun catchers. When you go to Artisans, turn left to his area and see his lovely glass artifacts. He’s a good conversationalist and has great stories to tell.
The Historical Society will have its annual yard sale on Saturday, May 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 209 Main St., across from the Bauer House, in Mancos. And so far, the weather forecast looks good, so come and help them raise money for a historical museum for Mancos.
A friend of mine suggested ending the column weekly with a puzzle., so let’s try it. Here goes!
Quiz: What is a “niddy noddy”?
A. An English dessert
B. A bobblehead
C. A warm drink to aid in sleeping.
Look for the answer next week.
