#61: Satya Wimbish

The vibe you get from Aurora artist Satya Wimbish is one of industry and, even more so, a great dollop of pure enthusiasm -- a lust for life in small-town terms, a love for the people and places she walks by every day in her familiar milieu of downtown Aurora. Driven by that enthusiasm, Wimbish runs things in a personal way in all her endeavors, from her business, Trash as Art, that transforms Dumpster finds (and the attic treasures of clients) into upcycled works of art, to her serious role as an Aurora Cultural Arts District board member and manager of ACAD's Colfax Avenue gallery, The Collection.

See also: - Aurora Arts Festival: Play! - Tracy Weil takes the wheel at the Aurora Cultural Arts District - Best Store on Colfax - 2013: The Collection Studio

She's also become new ACAD managing director Tracy Weil's right-hand woman, channeling her ample energies into helping to plan this weekend's annual Aurora Arts Festival, which this year takes on a new, transitional role in spotlighting what's truly great about living and working as a creative in Aurora.

Wimbish fell into that role because she knows and lives the pulse of Denver's neighbor to the east like the back of her own hand. What makes this community-minded gal tick? Her answers to our 100CC quiz might shed some light.

Westword: If you could collaborate with anyone in history, who would it be, and why?

Satya Wimbish: Okay, so I read the other artists' answers to this question, and most of them answered with another artist's name. I have to answer with where I am at in this time and place. It was a toss-up. Harriet Tubman or Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon won out only because I thought of him first. 

I have quite a few projects that I'm working on right now. While it's a blessing to be able to do everything that I am involved in, it does not come easy. You have to fight for your dreams to make them a reality and not just some distant goal. I'm in battle mode right now. Not that I'm going to go out and fight someone, but I'm not going to stop until I get what I prayed for. #Morethanaconqueror.

Continue reading for more on Satya Wimbish.

Who in the world is interesting to you right now, and why?

Who in the world. Gee, the world is so so so small to me right now. It's all about this festival. I get the news from my friends. I paint, run the gallery and work on the festival. I barely know what's going on and who's being talked about. There are a few interesting characters that walk by the gallery daily on Colfax. I wonder what makes them tick -- alas, they wonder that themselves. One day, we will figure it out together. 

What's one art trend you want to see die this year?

Shoes! We should all be barefoot at our gallery installation/ exhibit openings. There should be sand on the floors and congas, steel drums, djembe, bongos, snares, a gong and some cymbals. We should all dance around and buy each other's art. Okay, seriously, I have absolutely no clue what is trending right now. One man's trash is another man's treasure. What I find useless, gross or annoying may bring extreme joy to someone else. Like Brie. Brie cheese. And hair. Human hair in art.

What's your day job?

Day job? Most of my days are spent volunteering. Does volunteering count? 

A mystery patron offers you unlimited funds for life. What will you do with it?

Well, I have this homeless-to-homeowner program that has been marinating in my mind for many years now, and I would definitely invest in making that dream come to fruition...and EAT! And eat and eat and eat and take my family and friends out to eat all over the world. I LOVE FOOD!! 

Continue reading for more on Satya Wimbish. What's the one thing Aurora (or Colorado) could do to help the arts?

Being involved in the Arts Cultural Arts District has made me aware that Aurora, from a city standpoint, is doing a lot to help and support the arts already. it's just that like many things, you don't know unless you go out and look. I think what we need is more of Aurora artists coming together IN Aurora. Many of us go to Denver or elsewhere to promote ourselves in the "art scene," and the way I see it is that if you want to help someone else properly, you need to be able to help yourself. If we work together here in our city and continue to network with others in other areas, we will be a stronger art community. We really need the artists to come out of hiding and say, "I AM AN AURORA ARTIST, AND I LIKE IT!"  Or, "Proud to be an Aurora Artist."

Who is your favorite Colorado Creative?

Well...right now, Tracy Weil!!! I am so, so, so glad that I am blessed with the opportunity to work with this dude! Last year, I was online stalking him and his company, wondering how in the world I would ever have the opportunity to work with him. Not even a full year later, and it's already happening! 

But wait, there's more! I have another, and she is Susan M Gibbons. Many of the things I have accomplished recently would not have ever been done, if she had not come into my life and helped motivate, inspire and educate me in my craft, from a creative and business standpoint. She has really enabled me to get serious about what it is I am doing as an artist. I am very grateful to have met her! 

What's on your agenda for the rest of 2013 and beyond?

Ribs, baked mac & cheese, greens, cabbage, cornbread, grilled salmon, fried whiting, potato salad, mashed potatoes, salad, strawberry shortcake, chocolate cake, tiramisu and ice cream! Oh wait -- work related. Helping some friends to get their businesses going, growing my gallery and my business, building the community and opening opportunities for residents in the arts district here to explore and partake of the arts from all angles -- visual, performing, multi-media, etc. I would really like to work with our deaf community and be more involved with engaging them in what we do. I took sign language classes specifically to prepare for that next step. I'm also excited for the 2014 Aurora Arts Festival! We've already more than doubled it from last year, and I've already got a lot 2014 ideas and can't wait to start working on it! HIGHER LEVEL, HIGHER LEVEL! 

Who do you think will get noticed in the Aurora art scene this year?

This is not a bonus, it is a trick question! I really don't know! Our area is all about bringing out the fun you can have in Aurora right now as an artist or a visitor to the area. There's more here than people think. The Aurora Cultural Arts District is really starting to get a lot of attention now, and if you are an artist in this space and involved, I think you will be getting noticed for your gift. It comes with the territory. It's great how we really are banding together and getting organized and successful in our endeavors. 

Throughout the year, we'll be shining the spotlight on 100 superstars from Denver's rich creative community. Stay tuned to Show and Tell for more, or visit the 100 Colorado Creatives archive to catch up.

Do you have a suggestion for a future profile? Feel free to leave your picks in the comments.

• 100 Colorado Creatives
• Arts and Culture