Valentine's Day filled with Artists in Action

Artist Bill Enyart's Valentine's Day "Artist in Action" event held on Feb. 14 brought artists and art connoisseurs together in Niwot Hall.

Enyart is the current artist-in-residence at Niwot Hall and has various works displayed throughout the building. Enyart said, "My friend and leader of the Colorado Plein Air Artists of Colorado (PAAC - Boulder), Carolyn Bradley, was the first artist in residence at Niwot Hall and she reached out to me before the holidays about getting involved, and I thought it sounded like a great idea."

"For Valentine's Day, I invited a bunch of my artist friends from the Plein Air group," he explained. "We meet on Thursday mornings at various locations around Boulder County to paint together, critique each other's work, provide inspiration, and share information about events." Participating artists in this event included Dennis Mueller, Dale Harding, Carolyn Bradley, Linda Bice, Kath Reilly and Tory Cusack.

Enyart continued, "Everybody came in and set up easels, some set up floral arrangements and we all tried to stay with the floral theme for Valentine's Day. I was able to buy an arrangement for my wife from Belle Terre Floral in Niwot Market and take photos of them in the snow."

Enyart started these live art events so that residents of Niwot could not only watch art being created, but also view the other works already on display. He said, "Hopefully when my time at Niwot Hall is done at the end of the month, the next artist will also put on similar events. It is a grass roots thing that is still getting started but I think it was a success and allowed a further connection with the community."

Enyart continued, "Some people that paint would rather be completely isolated as they work and are totally focused on what they are doing, but I like talking to people as I paint. I find a lot of people who aren't intimidated will talk about their own art experience or ask questions for their kids to be able to improve, and it's just great to connect with people. It can open up doors and lead to other opportunities you would never have otherwise."

Enyart will not be leaving Niwot when his time at Niwot Hall ends. "I will paint in some outdoor Plein Air events that range from two days to a week from the spring through the fall," he said. "I also still work in oil and gas, but once I fully retire I will be able to solely focus on art. It keeps me busy. I also take commissions or studio painting, and a lot around Niwot. It is an opportunity-rich environment around where we live and I try to get out and take advantage of the space when I can."

Enyart has one more "Artist in Action" event on Feb. 28 from 5 - 8 p.m. where the public can engage with his creative process firsthand.