| Studio #tba Chance Curiosities Upcycled Assemblages, Abstract Acrylics, Art Photography and Designer Accent Lamps by Keith Williams Go to Chance Curiosities' Website! 11 Lakeside Drive, Cortez 970-560-7536 This artist will be participating in the studio tour during Both Weekends September 19 & 20 September 26 & 27 |
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It was with art photography that I began showing my work as a visual artist in the early 2000s, when I lived in southwest Texas where I showed for several years at Big Bend Gallery in Alpine. In 2006, I moved to Santa Fe where I owned my own gallery at the Inn of Loretto for a little over a year before the toll of gallery ownership was just too much. At that time, my artistic endeavors went on hiatus for several years while I worked as the Director of Finance at Habitat for Humanity of Santa Fe.
In 2015, I retired from Habitat and moved to Cortez. That's when the second phase of my artistic endeavors came into play. Having been a fan of "recycled" art for many years and owning a few pieces that gave me inspiration, I began to dabble in assemblage art made from secondhand materials. I started with things I had around the house, including photographic prints left over from when I had the Santa Fe gallery.
My assemblage art obsession grew and grew until I finally found an outlet to show my work at the Cortez Cultural Center as part of a two-man show in February 2021. That was a successful show, but the pandemic hit soon after and I didn't get to show my work again until I was invited to be a regular exhibiting artist at the Zu Gallery in Cortez. I showed at the Zu Gallery from 2022 to 2024, during which time I sold several pieces to both local clients and those visiting from out of town.
In my effort to keep as much of my personal junk out of the landfill as possible, I decided to disassemble an old 5-disc CD player and an old boom box that had stopped working so I could use the parts in my assemblage art. Some of the pieces were translucent, allowing for light to show through, and that gave me the idea of creating a lighted assemblage piece. That was the start of my accent lamp creation phase.
Over the past two years I began playing around with poured acrylics, aka fluid art. I found I had a bit of a knack for it. I particluarly like the abstract expressionism in the art form, but I didn't stop at merely painting abstract canvases. I began pouring over three-dimensional objects as well, incorporating them into assemblages and designer accent lamps.
I was the coordinator for the "First Annual" Four Corners Studio Tour, as well as the person who initiated the funding from LOR Foundation for the event. And in early 2025, I joined two other volunteers to help with the curation of the Gallery at the CCC. One of the first things we did as a curator team was to set up a series of monthly themed exhibits in which local and regional artists and craftspeople can submit artwork to be considered for each show.
I show my work often in the Gallery at the CCC, and was featured in a Curator's Showcase in February of this year. Although I am not currenly exhibiting my work on a full-time regular basis in a gallery or public space, all of my art is on display in my studio in Cortez. Drop by during the studio tour and join me in a cup of coffee and a treat. If you happen to see something you would like to purchase during your visit, I accept cash, checks and major credit cards for payment.
Please feel free to drive onto one side or the other of our double-wide driveway or park anywhere on the cul-de-sac that doesn't block a neighbor's driveway.
Visitors to my studio are always welcome. Except for the studio tour dates and times, my studio is open by appointment only. Please contact me directly to arrange a special visit.
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Opening
Reception September 18, 2026 ~ 5 PM - 7 PM Cortez Cultural Center 25 N. Market Street, Cortez . Open Studio Tour September 19 & 20, 2026 ~ 10 AM - 4 PM September 26 & 27, 2026 ~ 10 AM - 4 PM Check out the Tour Schedule page for more details and the 2026 Artists page to see which studios are open on each weekend.  |
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