It's also time to start crafting altars for various observances of El Dia de los Muertos around town. One of the hottest, hosted each year at Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery, 7777 West 29th Avenue in Wheat Ridge, is accepting registration for artist booths, as well as submissions for Day of the Dead ofrendas -- altars loaded with food offerings for the dead -- from the public for the event on October 29. Booth fees are $45, but entry of public altars is free (submit a proposal by September 9); e-mail Bill Logan at Crown Hill for information and reservations.
The Chicano Humanities and Arts Council is also gearing up for its annual El Dia show (call Crystal O' Brien, executive director, at 303-571-0440 for details), as is Pirate Contemporary Art. E-mail for more information.
Photographers are invited to submit a definitive representation of their work for the Fort Collins Center for Fine Art Photography's Portfolio ShowCase Volume 5. Fifteen photographers will be chosen by juror Chris Pichler of Nazraeli Press in Portland on the strength of their twelve-image portfolios; perks include inclusion in an exhibition book to be released next January and a chance at being featured on the cover. And one lucky photog will also get a solo show at the center. Entries are due on September 14 for a November 30 online exhibition. The entry fee is $65 to $85 per portfolio (multiple portfolios can be submitted). E-mail or call 970-224-1010.
And if vino is your thingo, Denver's Capital Grille in Larimer Square is teaming up with Napa's Freemark Abbey winery for Artistry in a Bottle, a contest to determine the label art for a special, unnamed limited production Cabernet Sauvignon to be offered by the tony restaurant at next spring's Artist Series Wine Event (a benefit for Share Our Strength). The winner will be swimming in it: The prize includes a case of the wine and an expenses-paid trip to Napa to go with. Sweet. There's no limit on the number of entries allowed; submit by October 7. Drink up! Details online.
