We had the good fortune of connecting with Annette Coleman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Annette, what role has risk played in your life or career?
As an artist you take a risk everyday in your art practice. A blank canvas, a sculptural idea that has no form–all you do as an artist is a risk. Hanging an art exhibit of your work and waiting for the public to show up. Hopeful, that you will make enough in sales to cover and exceed your expenses. I’ve taken risks everyday and that’s what fuels the successes that I’ve had.  

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I love creating timeless mosaics using tiles or stained glass that are shaped, fired, carved and placed in colored grout. Public installations with mosaics can take shape as murals, sculpture or functional seating areas. I make sure that the materials used last a lifetime with only a wash of water-based sealant yearly to protect the grout from freeze thaw cycles. Think Pompeii abstracted, with the vivid colors of today, durable, timeless and joyful. I’m also excited about my kinetic hanging sculptural installations that move with the ambient air currents. People moving about the building and the lighted elements also add to the color pallet.
I embrace commissioned work, combining different views and engaging communities. In addition to working as a public artist I have a background in working as a commercial exhibit designer, theatrical set designer, advertising pro and scenic artist. I have designed and produced public art on schedule to exacting standards. I work well with community members and understand budgets, blueprints and most importantly listen.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would set up a studio and gallery crawl to all of the coop galleries on Santa Fe Drive and in the 40 West Art District. On the Santa Fe drive crawl I would include a trip to the art recycle materials store ‘ReCreative Denver’ to see all of the materials that an artist could use in their work. A stop at REI in the old Forney Museum on the Platte for a coffee and a climb up the rock wall. The Dairy Block for lunch and a walk through Rino Art District to see the newest murals. A tour of the Denver Capital for a look at the Colorado Yule marble and the historic murals there are a must see. The Brown Palace for high tea, Buckhorn Exchange for Friday’s music and kicking back with a beer in the lounge. All of the animal heads and mounts at the Buckhorn are a feast for the eye and a macabre way of ordering an appetizer. Denver’s walking and biking access is great! Picking up a rental bike in the downtown area and wandering through neighborhoods is a great way to see the city.     The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Jean Smith, ceramic artist

Website: AnnetteColemanArtist.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annettecolemanartist/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annette-coleman-artist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnetteColeman
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annettecolemanartist
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt1LUszCY7ETFalSOR43Crg
Other: https://www.pinterest.com/annettelcoleman/

Image Credits
N/A

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.