The Blue Show
Duo Art Exhibition by Nicole Thibodeau and Claire Coté
at Questa Public Library, May - June, 2023
Show Reception: May 13, 2 - 4 pm
Reception: Saturday, May 13, 2023, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Show Dates: May 1 - June 28, 2023
Location: Questa Public Library, 6 1/2 Municipal Park Rd, Questa, NM 87556
Open Hours: Monday - Friday, 12 - 5 pm
The Blue Show is an exhibition of mixed-media works by artist friends, Claire Coté and Nicole Thibodeau. The works explore the relationship of time to the natural world and the artists’ spontaneity of interaction with materials.
The idea for the show was born from a studio visit. “Want to do a show together? I’ve been making a lot of blue works….” said Nicole, looking at blue cyanotypes on Claire’s studio walls. The resulting show is a conversation in blue between two local artists.
“Made amidst life’s fullness, busyness and poignancy, these works are reflections on daily life, nature and the small things and materials that inspire us and catch our attention,” says Claire Coté.
This approach is evident throughout the show, thick with exploration, play and experimentation. Watercolor and acrylic paints, inks, cyanotype, collage and repurposed materials mingle in these works as collaborators in the creative process. Saturated blues and Earth tones, layering and texture create a sense of calm. Plants, natural forms, connection to place and ephemerality are represented with simple elegance.
Both Nicole and Claire grew up in Northern New Mexico and left the area to pursue their education and travel. Nicole went to Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas where she received a BA in Studio Art, and later an MFA from Fort Hays State University. Recently, Nicole returned to Taos; she is the Assistant Director of the Taos Public library, is taking library science graduate classes and makes and shows art whenever she can. Claire received a BA in Cultural Anthropology and Fine Art from UNM in Albuquerque and then studied in Southwest England, where she received her MA in Art and Ecology from Dartington College of Art. As an artist-mother, and director of LEAP and Questa Stories, Claire creates her work at home and in her tiny off-grid studio, North of Questa as well as on outdoor adventures.
On Saturday, May 13 from 2 - 4 pm, everyone is invited to celebrate The Blue Show with a reception at the library. Come meet the artists, enjoy delicious refreshments, music and the beautiful Questa Library.
The Blue Show is hosted by the Questa Public Library in their rotating exhibition space, curated by Questa artist, Peggy Trigg and head librarian, Sharon Nicholson. 10% of all art sales from The Blue Show will be donated by the artists to support the Friends of the Questa Public Library, a nonprofit established in 2010 to support further development of the Library.
This exhibition is also part of the Taking. Up. Space. initiative facilitated by Thrive Together Network. Taking Up Space or T.U.S. is a Grassroots Female Focused Community Global Art Exhibition empowering artists to take up more space and exhibit their art in the month of May, 2023. There are over 80 exhibitions taking place around the world this year and The Blue Show in Questa is one of them. See more from this initiative by viewing the #takingupspace2023 hashtag on Instagram.
Learn more about “The Blue Show”:
Claire Coté www.clairecote.com
Nicole Thibodeau www.nicolethibodeau.com
Questa Public Library: questalibrary.org
