Las Chivas is involved in special projects and events that embody the best of the human spirit.
- Nuno Pedrosa, Portugal
Las Chivas Sponsors Intrepid Cyclist and his Cerebral Palsy Fundraising
Nuno Pedrosa, a native of Portugal, is accomplishing a grueling task: he is riding from northernmost Inuvik, Canada to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. His journey will take him two years. Along the way, Nuno will be raising funds for disadvantaged children from his hometown of Leira, Portugal. These children were born with less than a fair chance at attaining their true potential and face challenges only the rest of us can imagine.
Nuno has embarked upon his own personal challenge with these children in mind. His trek will take him across over 16 national borders and over 20,000 miles. 100% of the funds he raises for these Portuguese children with cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities will be donated to the Portuguese Association of Cerebral Paralysis (APPC - Associacao Portuguesa de Paralisa Cerebral). Nuno’s initiative, courage and determination to conquer physical and mental barriers has captured Las Chivas’ imagination!
Travel with him at: www.ontheroad.eu.com/both/photos/CoppermineNu.htm
To donate to APPC, see his website in English: www.ontheroad.eu.com
Las Chivas salutes him and his efforts to bring the frontiers of the world closer together through his congenial and peaceful encounter with people and cultures along his route.
His generosity of spirit improves us all! We are honored to house his "twin" in our coffeehouse in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.
February 3 - March 1, 2008: Nancy Allen – Cyanograms
The alternative photographic process, known as blueprinting or cyanotype, was invented in 1842 by Sir John Hershel and was one of the first successful methods of photographic reproduction. Nancy Allen fell in love with the beautiful, deep and mysterious, Prussian blue of the print and found the process simple and accessible because she could do it at home.
The process involves choosing the correct paper and coating it with a 50/50 emulsion of chemicals that when dry makes the paper sensitive to ultra-violet light. When objects are placed on the paper and exposed to sunlight, the shadow/form and translucency, or lack of translucency, translates to the paper, with the image appearing as it is developed in a bath of water. Using objects directly on the paper is called a photogram but photographers use this process to produce continuous tone prints from film negatives. After the print is developed it is pressed and blotted to expel the water and dried.
The artist's intention is to create cyanograms that are a pleasure to live with and to capture the viewer with a powerful graphic quality, a delightful abstraction, an intriguing composition, or an out-of the-ordinary application of materials. Sometimes poetic, sometimes literal, Nancy Allen strives to create beautiful prints.
January 2008: Robert Kegel – Photography
Reception: January 13, 2007 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. with music by Leo Sanchez. Light refreshments will be served.
Robert Kegel's work primarily concentrates of the rich beauty of New Mexico land forms and the wildlife of the Rocky Mountains which are printed on canvas and available in limited edition prints. His philosophy of photography is that each work must communicate a special and unique moment in time.
He was born in Santa Fe and has followed a number of career paths ranging from Ski instructor, Flamenco Guitarist, Woodworker, and Sculptor. He grew up spending time in the mountains learning to hunt and fish from his father who was an avid outdoorsman. Robert has combined his love of the outdoors with the photographic skill acquired in business and the artistic eye of the sculptor to become a well known New Mexican photographer.
www.robertkegel.com
Exhibit runs January 6 - February 2, 2008.
- December 2007: FOLK ART Exhibit - Disappearing Indigenous Art:
The Endangered Artistic Culture of the Miao of Southern China
This exhibit featured authentic, hand-made Miao woven and embroidered pieces that have played important roles in the daily and ceremonial life of the Miao. These include robes, baby hats, pieces of baby carriers and ceremonial dress, such as a shaman’s ceremonial garment, panels from skirts and tunics. In addition to the textiles, the Miao adorn themselves lavishly in silver necklaces and bracelets also on display and for sale.
Textiles and metal work are the Heart and Soul of the Miao People, a minority population that currently reside in southern China. The Miao are among the quickly perishing ethnic minority groups caught in the escalating economic crossfire of developing nations. This show of textiles and metal work displays their varied and beautiful work and will educate more people about their literal struggle for survival. Creation and availability of Miao textiles and silver is waning.
ENVIRONMENTAL FILM Series: November 4, 11, and 18, 2007 at 4:00-5:30 pm
November 4, 2007: "The Great Warming" depicts changes around the world to reveal how a rapidly changing climate is affecting the lives of people everywhere. Neither political nor negative, the film is visually beautiful, uplifting and unique in suggesting that climate change is not only a scientific and economic challenge, but a growing moral, ethical, and spiritual issue.
November 11, 2007: "Who Killed the Electric Car?" is a film with a murder mystery plot: Running only on electricity, General Motors' fleet of EV-1 electric vehicles were so energy-efficient that they were on the brink of altering the future of driving in
America – perhaps the world. So why did The General have them abducted from their drivers and killed? You get to be the judge and jury.
November 18, 2007 -- DOUBLE FEATURE:
"Kilowatt Ours" follows Filmmaker Jeff Barrie from the West Virginia coal mines to Florida solar panels as he explores solutions to America's energy-related problems. Along the way we'll see how everyday people are finding ways to harness power from the sun and wind. The film also explains how we all can reduce our own energy bills.
"Dimming the Sun" is a NOVA (PBS) documentary that explores the climate scientists' Catch-22 dilemma of air pollution – poor respiratory health –versus increased sun radiation – global warming, climate change. This has led some scientists to suggest that the earth's climate is heating up much faster than was previously predicted. You can be the judge of this unexpected phenomenon.
November 2007: Leslie Pilgrim – Paintings and Mixed Media Collage www.winterberryinc.com
November 2007: Alexander Hale – Photography
Photography has been a lifelong profession - his architect's unique view is reflected in his work. A study of ethnographic art and primitive civilizations is combined with his architectural and photographic abilities. Many of his photographs have been taken during world wide travels, recording his impressions of these areas on film.
October 2007: Bill Sherman – Photography
Bill is interested in color, form, and composition as they relate to the sensory process. Buildings, landscapes, flowers, or animals may be seen close up or from afar. The finished print reflects what he senses and imagines rather than the reality of the original image. Santa Fe has a special pirit that guides his work which ranges from realistic to abstract.
jovansherman.net
September 22, 2007: Book signing with local Eldorado author, Cathy Spude
Cathy Spude has just published her first novel, "Sin and Grace", a vibrant tale of the 1890s in Gold Rush-crazed Alaska. Her book is currently on sale at the Las Chivas Coffeehouse at the Agora Shopping Center in Eldorado, New Mexico, and through her website at www.montanadawn.com.
The Klondike Gold Rush has received all of the press in Skagway’s history. The truth be told, the best stories have all been hidden away. Until now. See the author's description.
Joretha Hall showed her "Clay Companions" at Las Chivas during August and September 2007
Joretha is constantly incorporating new inspirations and ideas into her work. She creates unique figures sculptured from stoneware (a high fire clay). The figures are stained, glazed and given unusual accents. Each figure or grouping is intended to remind you of someone you know or have heard about. She often gives her pieces a touch of the Southwest with turquoise, chilies and Native American touches. The purpose of her creations is to bring pleasure to your home.
Eldorado Studio Tour
September 2007: Larry Cohen (Lost Tribe Studio) – Acrylic Paintings and Monotypes
Larry Cohen studied art at Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, and Art Students League, New York City. Oil and acrylic painting and pottery wheel thrown and hand built. Santa Fe Community College Art Department, painting and pottery.
August 2007: Virginia Westray – Enamel and Mixed Media virginiawestray.com
July 2007: George Henke – Garden and Landscape Photographer
George is primarily interested in creating images of the natural world with a sense of magical, mystical immediacy, images which have depth and capture an essential beauty. You can contact him at images_garden@yahoo.com
June 2007: Rae Paretzkin – Oil Paintings
Rae's oil paintings feature bold, colorful ribbons, which, for her, represent the linear quality of of human relationships but usually are shown as being entangled in other elements in her paintings. Rae is not afraid to use color and finds shapes and forms on the canvas after she has put paint on it. Rae studied at the Winnipeg School of Fine Art.
- May 2007: Denise Lynch – Contemporary Photography - Galisteo Studio Tour 2007
- April 2007: Mary Fredenburgh – Photography that shows special glimpses of nature by a native New Mexican photographer. Mary’s photography is how she expresses her love of light, color, seasons and moods. She shoots 35 mm to large format, landscapes to machines. Mary’s work is black and white, color and hand-tinted. Her offerings range from large framed prints to handmade cards. You can contact her at mcfphotog@aol.com
- March 2007: David Lefeldt - Acrylic paintings
- February 2007: Jack Arnold Photography – Black and white and color photography. jackarnoldphoto.com
- January 2007: Tony Bonanno Photography – www.tbphoto.us
- December 2006: Catherine Ferguson and Denise Lynch