Exhibition of works by Jim Beckner November 3, 2012

Denver Plein Air Arts Festival: Beckner

The Byers-Evans House Gallery’s November show will feature an exhibition of works by Jim Beckner, Best of Show winner of the 2011 Denver Plein Air Arts Festival. The Denver Plein Air Arts Festival, sponsored by the Golden Triangle Museum District, is the largest urban plein air event in the nation, and includes the museum district, several city parks, the 16th Street Mall and other Denver locations. This show will open with a reception on Friday, November 2, from 5 to 9 p.m. during Denver Arts Week’s Know Your Arts First Friday. The show will remain on view in the gallery through Monday, December 31st.

American painter Jim Beckner currently resides in Denver, Colorado. He graduated from Colorado State University in 1994. He studied painting with Patrice Sullivan at Colorado State and furthered his artistic education at the Art Students League of Denver with instructor Mark Daily. He is the son of a painter, Joe Beckner.

Jim is currently pursuing two ideas in his painting. The first is an abstract interpretation of urban movement and energy. He is drawn to urban settings and the vitality of large cities. His exploration of painterly expressionism with various color harmonies and varying textures is a recurring theme in his work. The second idea is more specific to the human figure as subject. Most of his subjects are personal to him, such as his daughters, friends, and wife. His technique is focused on altering colors, playing with gesture, and creating mood. Jim sometimes sets these two concepts aside though, and plays with new subjects and challenges himself to start paintings in new ways. This is often where the spark of a new idea or concept arises.

Jim’s work continues to garner attention and demand a larger audience. His work can be seen in the recently published Landscapes of Colorado book, curated by Denver Art Museum Associate Curator Ann Daley. His work has been featured in magazines and many corporate and private collections.

What: Denver Plein Air Arts Festival: Beckner

Where: The Byers-Evans House Gallery, 1310 Bannock Street, Denver

When: November 2 – December 31, Gallery open daily, Mon.­–Sat., 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Closed Sundays, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
Special events: Evening reception to meet the artist during the Golden Triangle Museum District’s First Friday Art Walk, Friday, November 2nd, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Free reception.

Cost: Gallery admission is free!

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.byersevanshousemuseum.org or call (303) 620-4933.