Cogswell Gallery Embraces Artistic Excellence
A Magical Place
Cogswell Gallery Embraces Artistic Excellence
John and Patty Cogswell first became hooked on the historic significance and beauty of Native American jewelry and artifacts when they were newlyweds in the 1970’s. “My uncle Wilton Cogswell, a retired dentist, was trading in some Native American things really before they were valuable collectibles,” recalls John. “So Patty and I became interested, and in 1973 we opened a shop in downtown Colorado Springs, in what then was the Amherst Hotel.”
The success of that first store led to the couple looking around for a second outlet for their growing enterprise, which soon included paintings, sculpture, and fine art prints. Figuring the young and thriving resort of Vail was in need of an art emporium, the two opened their gallery here in 1976, soon to be joined by their jewelry store, the Squash Blossom.
For over 30 years, the Cogswell Gallery has been renowned among its local and international clientele not only as a magical place to while away a winter afternoon amid visual delights of all kinds, but as the premiere resource in the valley for a vast variety of artwork – from paintings, prints, sculpture and pottery, to glass works, rugs, furniture, Indian collectibles, fine jewelry, and antique photographs from masters such as Edward Curtis.
Located in the Creekside Building near rushing Gore Creek, down the steps from the Children’s Fountain, the gallery showcases over a dozen painters. Their talented perspectives on the world range from the saucy, magazine-cover-worthy cowgirls painted by David DeVary, to the European landscapes of Spanish painter Pedro Fraile, to Kathy Beekman’s Midwestern scenes rendered in dreamy pastels.
In constantly searching out new artists to bring fresh inspiration into the gallery, John Cogswell is motivated by a spirit of curiosity, while simultaneously focusing on the highest possible creative and technical quality. This season, he’s excited to introduce Alan K. Lund, a prolific young oil painter who specializes in very large, colorful canvases that depict the landscape of the West in all its majestic glory.
Lund grew up in the foothills of Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, developing a sensitivity to the natural beauty around him and learning from his parents who were both artists. The artist says he intends his work “to register emotionally as a reflection of serene communion with nature.” Cogswell was attracted to the masterful quality of Lund’s work, as well as the size, which he says will work well in the valley’s larger residences. “The paintings are so big that it feels like you can immerse yourself in them; just walk right into this very peaceful scene,” Cogswell observes.
This winter, the gallery is also looking forward to showing a series of action-packed works featuring skiers and snowboarders, commissioned by Cogswell from artist Jeffrey Desautels. “He never uses brushes, just a palette knife,” explains Cogswell. “This technique gives his paintings a really bold, dynamic quality, with lots of movement.”
The owner says he’s very upbeat about the coming season, noting that with Vail Resorts’ new Epic Pass making skiing more affordable, more art patrons are sure to pass through his gallery as well. “I really like to seek out talented new artists to take a chance with, and get them exposure to the international clientele we have in Vail. You never know who will be the new hot artist….and it’s fun to find out if you’re right.”
Joy Overbeck is a regular contributor to Vail-Beaver Creek Magazine.
