An eclectic collection of art
Kamruz Gallery, now open on West Colorado
By Katie Klingsporn
Associate Editor
Published: Thursday, December 24, 2009 8:11 AM CST
Katie DeFrancesco has been in the office supply business here since 1997, owning and operating Telluride Paper Chase, the local destination for office supplies, craft tools and printing.
But this year, after finding herself tired of all the empty spaces that dotted main street — one of which she owned — she called up her friend Mary Kenez, a Boulder photographer, and threw out a proposition: Would she be willing to show her art in Telluride?
The collaboration that ensued between the two has produced Kamruz, a new gallery on the west fringe of downtown that offers an eclectic mix of art, local photography, batik-dyed shirts and all kinds of stuff for dog-lovers.
Kamruz is located at 333 W. Colorado, just next door to the Paper Chase in a space owned by DeFrancesco.
Inside, art is spread through a lobby and four smaller rooms — each a little different than the last. On the walls hang stylized photos of cows, whimsical watercolors, large oils and wry black and white portraits of dogs looking human — wearing glasses, ski helmets, even festivarian hats.
What Kamruz doesn’t have is the super fancy, everything-in-here-is-expensive aura of some galleries. And that’s exactly what DeFrancesco and Kenez intended.
“We try to have local pricing for anyone … it’s not an intimidating gallery,” Kenez said. “It’s approachable.”
Indeed. Although there are paintings for $500, Kamruz also offers $2 retro-camera matchboxes, socks for $10 and painted light switch plates for $7. In addition, the Paper Chase can make prints for people who are looking for a little cheaper art.
“There’s something for everyone,” DeFrancesco said.
Its exhibits will evolve, but what is displayed right now features local and regional art and many pieces that have Telluride flavor — batik shirts with mandolins, a snowy photo of a townie bike and pair of skis, and healthy dog treats.
Kenez, whose photographs of bikes, landscapes and cows line the walls, was in charge of finding fellow artists to exhibit in the space. She reached out to friends as well as Telluride artists, and the gallery currently features Ingrid Lundahl’s black and white portraits of Telluride life, Scott Lindsey’s batik t-shirts and banners, Julia Lunk’s whimsical, Hungarian-like paintings, Matt Garver’s large black and white landscape photos, Manny Valenzuela’s loud, broad-stroked paintings, and more.
Plus, there’s a whole room dedicated to dogs. Both Kenez and DeFrancesco are long-time dog owners and lovers, and it’s reflected here, where there are ceramic dog bowls, treats made by Baked in Colorado (Kenez’s business), ball-flingers and bandanas. The walls are lined with Kenez’s charming portraits of her golden retriever, Chloe (sometimes accompanied by another golden), posing serenely while clad in all sorts of human attire — from straw hats to ski goggles and birthday hats.
The gallery, whose name (pronounced “cameras”) sprouts from Kenez’s love of collecting old cameras, opened in early December, and has been getting great feedback, Kenez said.
“People seem to love it,” she said.
Kamruz is open seven days a week from 1-5 p.m.
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