Ann Korologos Gallery Opening

By Sarah Kurz

When I initially heard that an art gallery was moving into the newly vacated Basalt Town Center Booksellers (may the business rest in peace), the first words out of my mouth were dubious: “Great. That’s just what Basalt needs—another art gallery.” Then I heard that the Basalt Gallery was just relocating, under new ownership and a new name: Ann Korologos Gallery. I understood, but still wasn’t smitten with the idea of the book store’s replacement.

Curious, my stepsister and I went to the opening to visit our older sister, who was serving for the caterer that night. I might have also gone for a glass of complimentary wine, but as it turned out, I was pleasantly surprised by Ann Korologos’s collection of Western art. I may be young and I may not be an art expert, but one glass of wine at these types of things and I find myself floating from wall to wall, carrying on about the reciprocal patterns in one work and the surprising color choices in another, as if I was as much of an art guru as the person next to me, even if I'm clearly not (though perhaps they’re not either, but we all enjoy that air of intellectuality, that elegant repartee the subject of art always seems to divine out of us--particularly with a little wine to loosen the tongue).

Yes, I saw some curious renderings of cows, horses and some handsome cowboys and indians—all the typical Western themes you might expect. I was even lucky enough to shake hands with the stunning Korogolos herself who, with her shiny black bob and turquoise jewelry, was as much a vision as the art showcased in her gallery. My new judgment? If anything, the exhibition’s eclectic mix of impressionist oil paintings and strangely satisfying abstract Native American-inspired mixed media art (“Are those antlers?”) provided for a stimulating, social evening.

My favorite piece might have been “Guarded Sway” by Jill Soukup, an intimate oil painting portrait of two horses. What I found the most intriguing, though, were some clay vases by Michael Wisner, which were etched to mimic a spiral-like weave that drew the eyes in like an optical illusion. There was nothing too jaw dropping for the novice art spectator like myself (save for the price tags, perhaps…), but certainly an entertaining visit. I’ve no doubt that any appreciative art collector who can afford will find some high-quality home artwork there.

True, Town Center Booksellers will be missed simply because it cannot be replaced. But with all due respect, that Midland Avenue corner location is an excellent spot for the gallery. It will most definitely serve the town well in the years to come, especially if it serves that fabulous wine every now and again.