In this post, we get a double bonus. It not only serves as a Meet the Staff profile, but we also get to brag on our very own, Grand County “Artist-in-Residence,” Kelly Yarbrough.
The brainchild of really cool people like Patty Alander and Sam Miller, who felt there was an abundance of creative capital in the area, and it would be good for tourism. And that’s good for business.
“The feedback’s been really positive. One of our big goals is making ourselves (Grand County) an interactive, creative community. A place where people can visit and be involved in the arts,” said Ms. Miller.
Carl Sniffen saw the value to the area and offered the resources of Shadowcliff for the “room and boarding” of the artist during their residence.
Kelly was able to spend time working at Shadowcliff for the first part of the Summer, with the month of residency covering part of July and August. She is on staff, and is also active on the Board of Directors’ Marketing Committee.
Kelly has been coming to the Grand Lake area for 6 years. “I’m excited about being in this position, both from a Shadowcliff point of view and to bring my art to the Grand Lake area.”
“When the idea was first getting kicked around, Kelly offered to be a part of the search committee and we ended up considering her to be the best candidate. She was an excellent choice, not only for her talent, but also for her familiarity with the area,” said Ms. Alander.
Kelly is currently working on her MFA in drawing at Kansas State University. She has worked at Shadowcliff for several seasons and has participated in art shows throughout the grand County area.
As part of her program, Kelly held two “free to the public” workshops including one at Shadowcliff and another in Fraser.
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The relationship between Nature and humanity has always been a driving source of inspiration for Kelly. Much of her art tends to be inspired by the constant change of the landscape in nature, which is why it’s so important to have this time in Grand County, at a place she knows and loves.
“It absolutely invaluable to have a month to work on your art. Nothing can replace time that is specifically for working on your art,” she said.
There will also be a closing show and reception to be held at AA Bar Ranch on Tuesday August 12, 5-9pm, thanks to the U.S. Forestry Service.
“I think it’s a big step in the right direction for us as a creative community. I’d like to see artists more in the forefront and Kelly’s definitely a great example of that,” offered Miller.
To learn more about:
Three Lakes Creatives  an artist collective in Grand County that promotes community education, youth engagement, & vibrant economy.
Grand Creatives supports regional partnerships by expanding the creative industries, through education, communication, and marketing, in order to improve quality of life, foster a sense of place, and stimulate economic development.
To see more of Kelly’s work, visit www.kellyyarbrough.com.