Dianne L. Massey Dunbar: Painting the Ordinary November 5, 2010

Byers-Evans House Gallery presents “Dianne L. Massey Dunbar: Painting the Ordinary”
DENVER—Dianne L. Massey Dunbar: Painting the Ordinary, will be on view in the Byers-Evans House Gallery, located at 1310 Bannock Street in Denver, November 5 through November 30. A free opening evening reception from 5 – 9 p.m. on Friday, November 5, will be held in the gallery in conjunction with the Golden Triangle Museum District’s First Friday Art Walk and Denver Arts Week.

The Byers-Evans House Gallery is pleased to present this solo show of new work by Dianne L. Massey Dunbar. Last year, Massey Dunbar won Best of Show for her spirited en plein air rendition of a parking meter in the Denver Plein Air Arts Festival. As a reward for her achievement, she received the opportunity for a solo show in the Byers-Evans House Gallery. The 2010 Denver Plein Air Arts Festival exhibition opens on the 7th floor of the Denver Public Library on November 9, 5 to 8pm. The 2010 Best in Show winner will be announced at the opening.
Massey Dunbar’s love of painting began early in life as evidenced by a still life which she painted when she was eight years old, which will also be on exhibit during the show. However, it was not until 1996, after raising her children, that she was able to focus her attention on art and began to paint en plein air. “Painting outdoors is exhilarating,” she says, “despite the obstacles; I see things more clearly when I’m out on location.” The spontaneity of painting outdoors is a departure from the highly detailed, time consuming works Massey Dunbar creates in her studio. She crafts paintings with incredible detail, luscious brushstrokes and an eye for finding the beauty in everyday scenes and objects.
Massey Dunbar paints what she sees, like the intermission crowd in the Buell lobby at the Broadway musical, Wicked, or a bike rack crowded with wheels outside of the Denver Public Library. Her still lifes of jars, food and makeup recall the rich surface textures and pop culture references of San Francisco painter, Wayne Thiebaud. Massey Dunbar’s fascination with reflections is evident in a tour de force painting of a rainy street viewed through a raindrop speckled car windshield as well as a study of glass reflections of a man in a carnival food cart.

Dianne L. Massey Dunbar: Painting the Ordinary
The Byers-Evans House Gallery, 1310 Bannock Street, Denver
Nov.5 – Nov. 30. Gallery open daily, Mon. –Sat., 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Closed Sundays.
Gallery admission is Free!
Special events:
Evening reception during the Golden Triangle Museum District’s First Friday Art Walk, Nov. 5 from 5 to 9 p.m.
Byers-Evans House Museum
Open daily, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sundays. Guided house tours 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Admission charged. For further information, visit www.historycolorado.org/be or call 303-620-4933.