March's Featured Artist is

Russ Mendelson

Artist Reception will be Saturday, March 6th 1-4pm

 

Born in New York City, Russell Mendelson moved to Western Colorado after being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1964.  He resides in Grand Junction with his wife, Mary.  They have 3 married sons, Phillip, Michael and Russell, Jr.

Majoring in art, with a minor in history, he received his Bachelor of Arts at Western State College in 1971.  He was recognized as Outstanding Senior Art Student the same year.  In 1977, Russell went on to receive his Masters from the University of Northern Colorado.

His degree pointed him to teaching and in 1963 he completed ten years as an art teacher at the Nucla High School.  After that, Russell and Mary moved to Grand Junction with their children, where he accepted an art teaching position at Central High School in 1984.  He stayed there for 20 years, receiving Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2003, one year before his retirement.

Since Russell's retirement in 2004, he has been painting seriously, entering shows and receiving numerous awards around the Grand Valley and in Green River, Utah.  His art has been in the Art Centers Members and Student Instructors Shows, Brush & Palette Club, Palisade Art Lovers, Green River Museum and the Fruita Civic Center.  He's had one-person shows at the Palisade Cafe and Pablo's Pizza.  Russell is a member of Western Colorado Center for the Arts and the Brush & Palette Club.