Pattern Pending

Artist Clark Richert plays a big part in the history of hard-edged pattern painting in the state. He was a protegé of George Woodman in Boulder, who’s the granddaddy of that significant movement, but it was Richert who launched a veritable school of followers that includes Bruce Price, Jason Hoelscher,...

By Michael Paglia

February 4, 2010

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Artist Clark Richert plays a big part in the history of hard-edged pattern painting in the state. He was a protegé of George Woodman in Boulder, who’s the granddaddy of that significant movement, but it was Richert who launched a veritable school of followers that includes Bruce Price, Jason Hoelscher, Karen McClanahan and others.

Despite this tremendous influence, and though he’s been working since his 1960s Drop City days — where he designed several of the domed buildings — he’s never had a retrospective until now. Tonight, Cortney Stell, director of the Philip J. Steele Gallery on the campus of the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, unveils her salute to the artist, Clark Richert: 1960s to Present.

“Clark needs to be honored,” says Stell, “not only for being a great artist, but especially because he’s been on the faculty here for almost two decades. In that time, he’s influenced generations of students, and that’s why I wanted to do this show.”

The show continues through March 12. Call 303-753-6046 or go to www.rmcad.edu for more information.
Feb. 5-March 12; Sat., Feb. 6, 2010

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Michael Paglia is an art historian and writer whose columns have appeared in Westword since 1995; his essays on the visual arts have also been published in national periodicals including Art News, Architecture, Art Ltd., Modernism, Art & Auction and Sculpture Magazine. He taught art history at the University of Colorado Denver.

Contact: Michael Paglia