Local artist Ron Vegas breathes the emotions of life into his paintings and bas-relief sculptures which are in exhibit at Brighton City Hall. Vegas’ artwork is part of the Eye for Art program’s “Holiday Sensations” exhibit currently underway.
A Colorado native, Vegas grew up in the Northglenn/Thornton area. A graduate from Northglenn High School, Vegas later attended Colorado State University studying Art and Art History. With a love for creating with his hands since grade school, Vegas creates visual beauty from his own methods of sculpting clay and plaster materials from the soft form for basic shape to the hand carved hardened form. Vegas primary medium of preference is sculpting because of the 2 dimensional viewing, but he excels in oils and pastels.
In memorial, Vegas gives tribute to his older brother, who was a graphic artist. He was the inspiration for Vegas to learn how to paint portraits and landscapes in oils and pastels. Vegas was close to his brother and had long talks with him before he passed away at age 36. Due to his brothers influence Vegas was awakened to all the beauty that surrounds and influences our lives every day and the role which it plays in our creativity. Vegas grew to appreciate and cultivate all of his artistic talents to become well versed in various mediums because of his brother.
The movement in bas-relief texture he creates in “Not alone” captures the silence of a walk in the cool breeze of fall. While the emotions portrayed in “Sad Girl” pastel are in complete contrast to the portrait of “Eva” in pastel, which evokes thoughts of childhood innocence
Besides working in the arts, Vegas also runs his own remodeling and restoration business in Thornton. With close ties to the Brighton Community Vegas also shares his time as a volunteer and artist at the Main Street Gallery, the Eye for Art program, and the Brighton Armory.
Vegas artwork is currently on display as part of the “Holiday Sensations” exhibit through January 22 and is available for viewing from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at City Hall. Original artwork on display is available for purchase. Special tours are also available to groups by appointment.
To learn more about the Eye for Art program, or to participate in the next Eye for Art show scheduled for February 2016, please call Laurie Lozano-Maier, program coordinator, at 303-655-2034. Deadline for submittals to participate in the next show is Sept. 4.
The City of Brighton proudly supports and promotes art and culture within the city. To view a video sample of the current artwork being displayed and available at city hall, visit: http://www.brightoncoarts.org/135/Eye-for-Art-Program.