Three Views: Charles, Collin and Devon Parson
3/1 – 3/30, Barbara Conrad Gallery
Opening Reception: March 1st, 5-7pm
Artist Talk: March 2nd, 4pm, Barbara Conrad Gallery
Father and two sons come together to present three views of the mountain through visual art.
Charles: Charlesparsonart.com
CHARLES (Chuck) PARSON studied at the A.E. Backus Studio in Florida from 1962-66; he received his BFA in 1970 from the Kansas City Art Institute with a major in Painting and Drawing and a minor in Printmaking. He was awarded a MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1972 with a major in Painting and a minor in Materials Technology. He has over 80 One-person exhibits throughout the U.S., along with an extensive participation in group exhibits ,as well as large-scale installations and monumental public sculptures which have been seen in places such as New York City, Chicago, Kansas City to name a few. His art work has been extensively reviewed and feature profiles in local, regional and national newspapers, magazines, books, radio and television.
Parson has a history of presenting many independent alternative public art projects throughout the past 40 years. These include temporary events such as the lowering of the flow of the Platte River for his 400 ft. long ice installation, ICE FLOE; the 10 mural independent project located in downtown Denver on 15th street, ART IN THE STREETS, including the rear advertising panels of the Yellow Cabs in the metropolitan area; the alternative gallery 1235 WAZEE STREET; and the current on-going private 35 acre art retreat SISU in rural southern Colorado. He additionally worked for 25 years as a contract illustrator and graphic muralist for the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. He still teaches as a Professor of Art at an urban college in the Denver area. He is also a musician, performing on the guitar and bass and author of the book, “The Sanctuary of the Moment”.
Charles Parson’s multi-faceted work includes drawings, prints, paintings, sculptures, installations, stage designs and performance art. His work has been viewed in galleries, art centers and museums throughout the U.S. He has 50 one-person exhibitions, as well as numerous regional and national group shows. Additionally, he has produced many alternative public art events and large-scale temporary installations.
Parson studied traditional landscape painting at the A.E. Backus Studio in Florida from 1962 – 1966. This was during the same time and place as the emergence of the group the The Highwaymen. He received a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1970, and his MFA from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1972. He did supplemental studies at Western States Film Institute and the Munt-Brooks Dance Studio, Denver.
Collin: collinparson.com
Denver native Collin Parson currently serves as the Director of Galleries and Curator for the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities in Arvada, Colorado and is a former member at the historic Pirate: Contemporary Art cooperative and recently finished up his artist residency at RedLine Denver. An arts administrator, artist, curator and designer he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater Design and Technology with emphasis in Lighting and Scene Design from the University of Colorado at Boulder and his Master in Arts in Visual Culture and Arts Administration from Regis University in Denver. His creative work involves the control of light and color to create vivid geometric light and space works. He has had the privilege of jurying many arts festivals and exhibitions and has received many awards and recognition for his curatorial projects. He was awarded 100 Colorado Creatives by Westword magazine in 2013 and featured in many television and print productions. Parson is the son of Colorado sculptor Charles Parson, whose experience with the regions arts community helped Collin long before his professional career began. Growing up in a family of artists, Collin is proud to be continuing the educational and creative traditions.
Devon: Devonparson.com
Denver Native Devon Parson comes from a family of artists. His father, Charles Parson, is a recognized sculptor and contemporary artist who resides in Denver Colorado. His mother was a modern dancer and was heavily involved in the Changing Scene. His brother, Collin Parson, is the curator at the Arvada Center for the Arts and has shown his contemporary work worldwide. His sister studied theater and has been in a variety of performances throughout the state of Colorado.
Devon received his Bachelor of Arts with a focus on Philosophy and Southwest Studies from Fort Lewis College. Devon has also received a masters in education and is currently the Program Director for a Transition Program in Durango, Colorado. Devon also currently teaches Emergency Medical Services Courses with Southwest Community College.
Growing up in a family of artists it is no surprise that Devon has the drive for creative expression. Devon has been involved in music for most of his life playing in local bluegrass bands and recently has found visual arts to be an outlet. Devon has shown his work statewide and has provided multiple artist talks and his process and theme of his work.
