The artists of Studio & gather for a group shot. On Friday and Saturday, & will be hosting its first-ever “Bizarre Bazaar” a quirky, creative and alternative take on the traditional holiday bazaar./Photo by Steve Eginoire

Studio & gets bizarre

Local artists put eclectic, alternative spin on holiday tradition

by Stew Mosberg

Leave it to Studio &, the edgy, experimental, working studio-art gallery at 1027 Main Ave., to take a common theme and turn it on its head – or in this case, hang it from the ceiling. Next weekend, & is staging its first ever holiday Bizarre Bazaar, a quirky take on the sales of handmade goods that tend to pop up this time of year. And, as the name suggests, the Bizarre Bazaar will go beyond the typical holiday trappings to offer one-of-a-kind ideas for that hard-to-shop-for someone on everyone’s list.

Artists from the gallery’s list of almost 200 quickly answered the call for entries. Originally set for only 20 participants, the number expanded to 27. At the event, each participant will have a 3-foot table, plus the wall behind them and the air space above, from which to display and sell their artwork – everything from printed cards for a couple bucks to works of art for a couple hundred.

Acknowledging the gallery’s limited space, Tim Kapustka, a founding member of Studio &, says, “It will be organized chaos. Our own self-induced madness.”

With that many artisans and craftspeople hawking their wares, customers negotiating the aisles will likely have the sensation of shopping at a traditional bazaar in Marrakesh. That is part of the fun, albeit there will be no haggling over prices, nor will there be rugs, chickens, goats, dates or figs for sale.

Nevertheless, attendees can expect a wide variety of gift choices. “The wares will be varied to say the least,” said Kapustka. “What I love about this is that it is all stuff that is handmade and stuff you won’t find at the mall. This is going to be the place to find that unique gift.”

Almost half of the artists in the bazaar have not shown at Studio & before and some have not been seen in Durango at all. Many define their art as out of the ordinary, making for not only unique pieces of art, but unique gifts as well.

Adhering to its mantra to “give the gift of local art,” Studio & sought artists whose work would be within the price range of everyone who shops at 4 the studio throughout the year.

A sampling of some of the unique and rather unconventional items for sale at &’s Bizarre Bazaar. Twenty-seven artists will be offering handmade an eclectic mix of handmade items ranging from a few bucks to a couple hundred for that hard-to-please art lover on your list./Photo by Steve Eginoire

 “My work is totally on the kitschy side, so I just couldn’t pass up Studio &’s ‘Bizarre Bazaar,’” said Durango craft artist Deb Morgan, reflecting a common sentiment. “Another (reason) was being able to hang work from the ceiling. I mean really, could it be more fun? And of course, I love the Studio & artists and want to rub elbows with them whenever I can.”

Morgan’s work at the bazaar is all new and created just for this opportunity. It is the only show she plans to do this season. As Morgan describes it, her work will all be three-dimensional, mixed-media and collage; some of which incorporate vintage pieces. A sampling of her expected offerings sounds like something you might find at a flea market – or a bazaar: postcards; fine art photo calendars; an assortment of small canvas and paper works made of encaustic, paint, print and pastel; and cloth and knitted items. All will come in under $25.

Kapustka marvels at the diversity and enthusiastically remarks, “As you can see, the wares will be varied to say the least. What I love about this is that it is all stuff that is handmade. I think the central theme is ‘miscellanea.’”

Cortez artist Susan Reed, another fervent supporter of Studio &, will be part of the tumultuous, cluttered party. “Studio & never fails to come up with unique events, and I’m always up for participating whenever I can,” Reed said. “They’re a hard-working, creative group of people, and I love their energy!” Reed will be selling a couple dozen small pieces in pastel, collage and encaustic as well as acrylic paintings. “It will be a potpourri of subject matter, colorful and fun,” she said.

Mixed-media artist Rosie Carter has shown at Studio & on several occasions and is always a crowd pleaser. She agreed to be part of the Bizarre Bazaar for analogous reasons, saying she enjoys the folks at & and has fun taking part in their events. “I like the diversity of the artists, the fun vibe of the gallery and the opportunity to get to know people with art as a common theme,” she said.

Creating all new work exclusively for the bazaar, Carter will also offer post cards and notebooks; each one, featuring an original screen print. She will also be selling a series of 10 small, framed, screen prints.

While discovering just the right innovative gift might be the main reason for attending, the Bizarre Bazaar is also worth visiting just to meet the artists and check out their works. Just don’t forget to look up.

For more information, go to www.anddurango.com