Gallery

Forest Tango Art Works and Simple Things next door create a synergy of art that invites people to linger and enjoy the fine arts as well as fine crafts and folk art. Joyce opened her first public studio when she was a young mother in Denver, Colorado. She built the walls herself from plywood and fabric. Yes, fabric. One never to do anything the easy way, she actually wrapped the edges of plywood cutouts to create openings for windows and doors. Her only regret in that short lived endeavor is that she never took photos of it.

Leap forward fifteen years to the late 80s—Joyce is at Affinity, her gallery in Denver where she worked with Ralph Sheetz to create folk art furniture that is unsurpassed in grace and beauty. Ralph now works from his joinery in Colorado Springs where Affinity has evolved into his livelihood. Joyce has found her long sought soul home in the San Luis Valley after a gypsy life of art studios and galleries from city to country and back and again.

"I love this empty landscape where the sky is part of heaven in its glorious blue. I hear echos of the ancients here." Joyce almost speaks in song lyrics when she voices her love for the land that nourishes her art.

"I love to work with other artists and artisans. It's been my pleasure and my honor to paint my murals here and invite other creative people to join me in my art spaces. My husband, Terry is a wonderful sculptor and painter. Ralph still brings me his enduring designs in wood. I have made a lifelong friend in Rose Kowalski, a potter who walked in one day to show me her quirky bowls and platters. Everyday brings me new art to show and each day inspires me to do work I've never done before."

Forest Tango is a working studio as well as a gallery. Terry paints his landscapes both on site and in his studio. Joyce uses the entire building as her studio and will expand her weaving space when the storage room is emptied to expand the workshop. The mezzanine will open in June for more display area. Joyce will also create a reading room upstairs for the cold months when writers seem to find inspiration to gather.

Here Comes the Sun by Terry Henrie

A selection of Rose Bowls pottery by Rose Kowalski, a colorful fanciful pitcher that Joyce discovered at a mountain festival, handwoven Dream Pockets, a felted Blessing Bowl, beaded woven prayer mat and two cards displayed on glass case in the entry room.