SOUTH FORK—Weldon Holden and his wife Trudy have been coming to the South Fork area since the early 80s and have recently purchased a building that has been vacant for several years on Highway 160, next to Rocky Mountain Ski and Raft. The Holdens spent the entire summer remodeling the inside of the building and preparing it for an art gallery and coffee shop. Holden used his time to create a work space and gallery on the west end of the building while creating a separate space for a coffee shop on the east end.
Holden works with several types of artistic techniques including everything from oil to charcoal to create his western, wildlife scenes. “We fell in love with the people and the area and once we saw the building, it was like, we can do this,” stated Holden. The South Fork Art Gallery will open Saturday, May 27 and remain open through the busy season until September. “We just can’t wait to get back up there and get this started. We wanted to take our time and do this right,” said Holden.
When first entering the building, guests will walk into an open room full of prints and original paintings done by Holden. The walls are adorned with works of art that range from western scenes, local wildlife and scenery that will look rather familiar from the South Fork area.
Holden uses a variety of techniques to create very lifelike drawings with a beautiful array of colors. Pictures that feature wildlife are so well done that the viewer is hard pressed to reach out and touch the soft coat of a cottontail rabbit or playful fox climbing in a tree. Though most of what is on display in the gallery is currently original pieces, Holden assures everyone that prints are on the way. “I have about 100 plus prints on the way as we speak, so everything in here will be available for purchase,” explained Holden.
Holden has also set up his workspace just inside the door to the gallery, so visitors will be able to see him create his works of art on a daily basis. “I will be sitting right here working on my paintings while people come in to look,” said Holden. The desk is adorned with pastel paints, color pencils, charcoal and other utensils that Holden uses to create his works of art.
Next door Holden’s wife Trudy will be manning a coffee shop where guests can partake in some freshly brewed coffee, tea and hot chocolate. As the summer continues on, the Holdens will also be working with local baker and Bear Claw Bakery owner Kathy McCarn to offer her sweet treats. “We were able to work with Kathy and have her bring some of her baked goods here for sale. It’s wonderful to be able to work with people in town,” said Trudy.
The Holdens are one of many new businesses that have hit the streets of South Fork and are eager to make their place in the small mountain community. The gallery is located on Highway 160 just past the fork in the road leading towards Creede.