A learned and accomplished plein air artist, Lewis uses his talents to explore the creation energy available in all things, large and small. He seeks to find the essence and capture it, not just for himself, but for any viewers as well. 

Several years ago he made an incredible voyage on his bicycle from San Diego to Bar Harbor, Maine and painted as he went, finding the beauty in the ordinary, the extraordinary and sacred in the everyday. Lewis will be presenting a short video and talk on this journey at the Westcliffe library the week after the September reception. 

“Creation continually opens before me, and this drives my art! The earth’s cycle of wonder and my souls response in awe and gratefulness has asked of me only one additional act; honor the gift begotten of the creator! That summarizes the purpose and motivation behind all my art. English anchoress Julian of Norwich offers that, “the fullness of joy is to behold God in everything.” That joy is what I seek and find evidenced in creation. I labor to share that joy, in a goal of “leaving behind a gift,” as psychologist Otto Rank suggests.”

lewisartwilliams.com

Almost 20 years ago, Phyllis Bishop and Malachia Hall started a dulcimer club here in Westcliffe. The Celtic Mountain Strings is a dedicated group of musicians born of that dulcimer club. The blending of hammered dulcimers, mountain dulcimers, guitars, cellos, mandolins, violin and bodran, (Irish drum) along with sonorous vocals creates a hauntingly beautiful sound, unique in all the Wet Mountain Valley. Playing a delightful mix of traditional Celtic tunes as well as original music, the Celtic Mountain Strings is a welcoming group of about 10 local musicians, and even more musicians join in for the regular Saturday practices when they can.