"Masculine Places", showcases the artistry of three very talented Colorado Artists.
chris alvarez
Chris grew up in the small town of Silver City, New Mexico between alpine forests and the southwest desert where his artistic eye thrived in the magical light of the environment. His work is well known in the region for its romantic depiction of “ordinary” scenery. Inspired by his cousin, he began drawing at an early age. Instead of following his artistic passions, Chris took the path most traveled- and recommended by well-intentioned non-artist types- to pursue work that would keep art making his “side-gig” for nearly two decades. He experimented with and found some success in bartending. In an effort to “get his act together” he joined the US Army where he worked as an ophthalmic assistant.
Following his time in the Army, he worked with at-risk youth in various settings. His teaching skills developed and his knowledge of Life grew, but art never stopped calling him. In 1998, Chris enrolled at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) where he earned a BA in Fine Art and graduated in 2001 with distinction. He began his teaching career in 2002.
Now a well-known figure drawing and painting teacher in the Pikes Peak region, Chris taught drawing at UCCS. After teaching a decade at the Cottonwood Center for the Arts, Chris opened the Alvarez Art School in 2010, where he teaches drawing and painting to adults and children. He has developed a holistic art program, which includes instruction in seeing, drawing, and painting techniques, exploration into the philosophies of being an artist and art making. 2018 brought some new and exciting changes to the Alvarez Gallery and Art School, which now includes a gallery and is located in downtown Colorado Springs.
Following his time in the Army, he worked with at-risk youth in various settings. His teaching skills developed and his knowledge of Life grew, but art never stopped calling him. In 1998, Chris enrolled at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) where he earned a BA in Fine Art and graduated in 2001 with distinction. He began his teaching career in 2002.
Now a well-known figure drawing and painting teacher in the Pikes Peak region, Chris taught drawing at UCCS. After teaching a decade at the Cottonwood Center for the Arts, Chris opened the Alvarez Art School in 2010, where he teaches drawing and painting to adults and children. He has developed a holistic art program, which includes instruction in seeing, drawing, and painting techniques, exploration into the philosophies of being an artist and art making. 2018 brought some new and exciting changes to the Alvarez Gallery and Art School, which now includes a gallery and is located in downtown Colorado Springs.
maria battista
Public and private-commission sculptor Maria Battista births figures and portraits that are engaged in wonderment about the nature of reality. She is the owner-artisan of First Circle Studios, her space for the emergence of bronze, stone, and precious metal sculptures that celebrate the embodiment of spirit in the human being. She has been juried into numerous regional and international exhibitions since 1992, such as the prestigious Sculpture in the Park in Loveland, Colorado and the Peak at the Arts Global Arts Exchange Festival in Costa Rica. She has installed public sculpture in parks, civic locations and private businesses in her hometown of Colorado Springs. Her many newspaper and magazine articles include having a featured article and her bronze “Calypso” on the cover of the Colorado Journeys magazine.
Maria’s Italian heritage led her to post-graduate sculpting study in Tuscany and in Umbria after completing her degrees at Rutgers University (B.A.) and Kansas University (M.A.). Her works pursue the virtuosity of the Renaissance and 19th Century European masters while tackling contemporary themes concerning humanity’s cosmological evolution,
the truth of our shared vulnerability, and the need for a return to embodied interrelatedness in the disembodied technological age.
Maria’s Italian heritage led her to post-graduate sculpting study in Tuscany and in Umbria after completing her degrees at Rutgers University (B.A.) and Kansas University (M.A.). Her works pursue the virtuosity of the Renaissance and 19th Century European masters while tackling contemporary themes concerning humanity’s cosmological evolution,
the truth of our shared vulnerability, and the need for a return to embodied interrelatedness in the disembodied technological age.
jon sargent
Artist Statement:
Like putting on armor before a battle, clothes are an acknowledgment of our vulnerability. Yet men who are cast as the warriors in our society have been socially
conditioned not to show feelings. How can vulnerability and strength be integrated into men’s lives to help them find their place? My photography incorporates the nude body into the environment as a metaphor to explore this question. May this exhibit give us a sense that masculine places are where men belong, find meaning in responsibilities, and are defined through their choices.
Artist Biography:
Jon grew up among turtles, bugs and snakes in Florida. Like his crawling friends, he feels most at home in the outdoors. Today his work is heavily influenced by our interaction with the environment, both natural and social. He has explored how the structure of our society has led to important human issues like loneliness on his blog, Lonely Mythos. His artistic work has been exhibited in solo and group shows and film festivals. With three published ebooks of his male photography and poetry, you can learn more about his
work on his website, www.figurativearc.com
Like putting on armor before a battle, clothes are an acknowledgment of our vulnerability. Yet men who are cast as the warriors in our society have been socially
conditioned not to show feelings. How can vulnerability and strength be integrated into men’s lives to help them find their place? My photography incorporates the nude body into the environment as a metaphor to explore this question. May this exhibit give us a sense that masculine places are where men belong, find meaning in responsibilities, and are defined through their choices.
Artist Biography:
Jon grew up among turtles, bugs and snakes in Florida. Like his crawling friends, he feels most at home in the outdoors. Today his work is heavily influenced by our interaction with the environment, both natural and social. He has explored how the structure of our society has led to important human issues like loneliness on his blog, Lonely Mythos. His artistic work has been exhibited in solo and group shows and film festivals. With three published ebooks of his male photography and poetry, you can learn more about his
work on his website, www.figurativearc.com
