GALLERY HAPPENINGS March 2009

Cat's Lair Collection

Cat’s Lair Collection is a Contemporary Art Gallery in Moab, Utah.

We feature local, regional, and international artists. Here you will find sculptures, beautiful pottery, glass, wood and metal works, most unique photographs thought- provoking paintings, azurite crystal roses, hand spun wool & silk, light & color.

Moab is a small town located in the red rock desert of southwestern Utah. It is world - famous for its spectacular natural beauty and is one of the greatest places for hiking, biking, river trips and jeeping adventures. Nevertheless, in this beautiful surrounding there are many talented and devoted artists who live and work here, quietly interpreting the natural beauty around them into stunning works of contemporary art.

So, we are searching for the hidden and known talents in our region and beyond, so you, our visitors, will enjoy the refreshing experience of original art.

This month we would like to talk about 2 artists whom we enjoy to represent in our gallery.

Ekaterina Harrison (Tatarovich)

Still Dreaming of Tomorrow - Ekaterina Harrison

Ekaterina Harrison was born in the Soviet Union in the city of St. Petersburg. She comes from a long line of artists. Most of her family line was involved either in the visual arts, music or the literary arts. However, she did not have much contact with most of these artists as she and her family immigrated from Russia when she was very young. She grew up in Salt Lake City and attended the University of Utah, where she received various awards and a scholarship. Soon after that she heard about the Johnson Atelier, which was an internationally acclaimed sculpture school and production art foundry.

The Johnson Atelier proved to be an incredibly inspiring environment for growing up artistically and technically. There she had the opportunity to work with some of the most significant contemporary sculptors of our time. One very significant aspect of the Johnson Atelier, to Ekaterina, was that both the instructors and apprentices were artists that came from all over the world. This multicultural sharing and learning created a very vibrant and inspiring creative environment. While apprenticing at the Atelier she also apprenticed with the “Blacksmith of Trenton”.

In 1996 she move west to Santa Fe and worked in another art foundry. From there she moved to La Sal, Ut. Where she has built her studio and is currently working on various commissions and a new body of work. Here she has joined the Rocky Mountain Smiths and A.B.A.N.A. (Artist Blacksmith Association of North America). She loves to improvise and continues to explore and expand her own potential by drawing on the knowledge and inspiration that these two organizations provide as well as researching and exploring other fields.

Suzanne Storer

Overhang - Suzanne Storer

Suzanne was born and raised in Oregon. She received a BFA at California College of Arts and Crafts. She has done many workshops with Paul Soldner, Akio Takamori, Robert Peipenburg and Jim Romberg.

Suzanne’s ceramic art centers around life itself. Animals, birds, water life and the human forms inspire her pottery and sculpture. Her southwestern style bowls and platters evolve from the spirited imagery painted and pecked into the rock walls and boulders in the desert canyons of southern Utah. Her sculpture focuses on the relationship between the female human form and rock land forms inspired by the desert canyons of Southern Utah.

This Oregon native has made her home in Utah for the last 20 years and makes her living as a professional potter.

As long as you are here in the gallery, check out the new and unique jewelry by Olga Martinova. Olga works at her jeweler’s bench and greets her customers, who appreciate the opportunity to meet the artist and watch her work. She makes many custom beaded earrings and necklaces upon request; you can watch her make your piece while you wait.

She also spins wool and silk. Often you can see her spinning when you walk into the gallery. She will often give demonstrations to customers who has never seen this ancient art practiced in real life.

Of course we have something special for people who love to play and create with fibers - hand-spun wool and silk! We also have a nice selection of stone beads for all the people who like to express their creativity in jewelry making. If you’re passing through Moab, we’d like to invite you to take a few moments to stop in and enjoy the refreshing experience of original art!....

We are located in the Eddie McStiff’s Plaza, “when you see the big yellow cat above its rocky lair, you know you’re in the right place!”

Cat’s Lair Collection
59 South Main St.
Moab, UT 84532
(435) 259-2458
www.catslaircollection.com