For the past year, I have had the pleasure of serving as chair of the Montrose Public Art eXperience (PAX) steering committee. During this time I have worked with the most dedicated and talented group of volunteers imaginable - despite the economic challenges we have faced, it has been a wonderful year!

Many thanks to everyone who turned out for the Fourth Annual Public Art eXperience (PAX) Gala at Centennial Plaza on Sept. 11, and who helped us raise money for our public sculpture program by participating in our first ever Quickdraw event.

Kudos to our volunteers, to event chairs Marge Keehfuss and Caroline Lescroart, and to the rest of the hard working PAX Committee - current members include Nancy Ballantyne, Carolyn Bellavance (incoming chair for 2009/2010), Pat and Bob Brown, Dennis Erickson, Marge Keehfuss, Caroline Lescroart, Jill Myers, Rich Parr, Lu Anne Tyrrell and Michelle Young.

Thanks to Kurt Isgreen for the donation of his beautiful watercolor "Black Canyon" for this year's promotional poster and raffle, and to our 2009 People's Choice Award winner Pokey Park for donating her wonderful three inch bronze, "Curled Mountain Lion," for our quickdraw auction.

Thanks also to the brilliant and generous Western Slope sculptors who are loaning their works to the City of Montrose this year - Richard Arnold, Jerry Dunbar, Larry Davidson, Caleb Kullman, Ella Marolf, Michael McCullough, Bill Noland, Pat Olson, Pokey Park, Damian Radice, Daphna Russell, Nick Russotto, Michael Short, William Sowell, Margaret Tange and Mary Zimmerman.

Thank you to our Quickdraw artists - your talent is truly breathtaking - Mary Hill, Linda Nadel, Daphna Russell, Lu Anne Tyrrell, Lori Berry and Toni Woodrum. You astonished everyone with your speed, skill and talent!

Thanks to our amazing and very eloquent auctioneer, Ralph Walchle - you made the evening exciting and memorable, and to Yvonne Meek and her band, for providing the perfect musical backdrop for an evening of the arts.

To our creative caterer Ginger Magnolia, as well as Mountain View Winery and Smuggler's Brewpub, your efforts are greatly appreciated.

Thank you also to the local businesses and organizations who hosted our raffle watercolor this summer - Around the Corner Art Gallery, Coffee Trader, SheShe Boutique & Gallery, and the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association (UVWUA).

Finally, we salute our loyal 2009/2010 sponsors, including the City of Montrose, Montrose Chamber of Commerce, Four Seasons Investment Advisors, Montrose Area Merchants Association, Montrose Arts Council, the Stupid Band and the Montrose Daily Press.

To everyone who could not make it to Centennial Plaza on Sept. 11 for this season's sculpture unveiling, there are plenty of brochure/maps available at the Montrose Chamber and at City Hall - stop by anytime they are open, and pick one up.

Take a walk downtown, enjoy the exciting and beautiful works of art on display, and celebrate the vitality of this amazing and artistic community.

Caitlin Switzer

2008/2009 PAX

Steering Committee Chair

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