Thursday, September 30, 2010

Special event alert: Farewell to Bill Amundson this week at Plus Gallery


Artist Bill Amundson has been a fixture in the Denver community for 35 years, having slowly built a profile as one of the most skilled, prolific and downright compelling artists in the history of the state.  So it is with great sadness that we announce his departure from Denver and return to his homestate of Wisconsin, along with his wife Anita who mutually shared the love and admiration that has been continually attached to Bill throughout his lengthy career.


Bill's departure does not mean that he won't remain a strong presence within the Plus Gallery stable nor Denver's greater art environment, but those who know Bill and his extremely large and generous personality will certainly miss having him around.


SO, all week we celebrate the artist and his gifts to our community.  On Tuesday evening the DAM Contemporaries, of which Bill has supported and been a board member for 14 years, will honor him with this year's AFKEY award at their annual meeting at Palates restaurant at the DAM. Starting the next day, Wednesday the 22nd and going through to Saturday the 25th Plus Gallery will display an assortment of Bill's most treasured and wondrous drawings in our adjunct galleries on the first and second floor.

Though widely collected and known for the numerous small-scale drawings that reflect on our society and the peoples/forces that populate it (for better or worse), it is Bill's larger-scale drawings that show the depth and maturity he has built through an intense focus and love for drawing.  His talent is a true gift with enormous depth that has been shared in many ways through his time here.Plus Gallery will now offer up a grand selection of his best and rarely-viewed works, both older, recent and in some cases brand new in a first-of-its kind display.  In a nutshell, this is a rare opportunity and one that we invite everyone to participate in.
Because we and so many others have such fond memories of Bill and his wife Anita, we will also be hosting a farewell event here at Plus on Friday, September 24th from 5-8pm.  Leaving town is not easy, particularly fielding all the requests to visit and spend time with them both, so we see this as an opportunity for everyone to share in one final moment and perhaps even support their next step with the purchase of some of Bill's artwork.


We hope to see you this week.  Anyone wishing a private viewing of the works outside of gallery hours may contact ivar@plusgallery.com to schedule.

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