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February is expected to be an exciting time for the Contemporary Arts Collective. The installation, Human Inhumanity, is coming down off the wall and to make note of this event the Contemporary Arts Collective is holding a "Deconstruction" sale and reception of this installation on Saturday, February 11, 2006 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This reception will be held to thank the artists as well as to sell portions of the installation. There will also be a live auction to purchase small portions from the installation. Everyone is invited.
The Contemporary Arts Collective has also sent out a nationwide call for entries in their 17th Annual juried show. This juried show is open to all artists. Drop off date for entries is February 21st through the 23rd. Last year over 400 pieces were entered. This year the number of entries is expected to increase as well as the interest in this show. The specifics for entering the show can be viewed on the Contemporary Arts Collective website at www.cac-lasvegas.org.
This month Natalia and I would like to introduce two artists Dale Karr and Arthur Jacob, members of the Contemporary Arts Collective. Both artists bring to the Las Vegas scene a body of work that only adds to the variety of talent and works that are exhibited here.
Dale Karr
 An artist of many mediums, Dale Karr has been exploring his art for many years. Initially, Dale spent the majority of his time developing a variety of techniques with water colors and became a Signature Member in the Water Color Society in 1992.
After retiring, Dale began to explore other mediums such as pastels, acrylics and photography. Through this exploration, Karr decided that acrylics were really his medium of choice. Karr states, "Acrylics can be used in so many consistencies that it enables me to achieve my end result most successfully. It can be watered down to the consistency of water colors or used in the consistency of paste to give it some dimension. It allows me more freedom than any other medium in achieving what I want to achieve."
Karr is very oriented toward the visual rather than generating a statement, as some artists want to do. His interests lie in wanting to create a work that is something which gets people's attention in a positive way. He wants people to examine how the pieces are put together. The viewer is asked to examine the color, composition and the relationship between elements of the piece.
 How does the creative process work for Dale? It usually starts out as a photograph or some other visual. From there he will do a freehand pencil relief. It is at this point that he starts to add color and build the elements that result in the final work.
Karr's subject matter is very eclectic and ranges from abstracts to still-life, to people and other subjects in between. When asked what subject matter interests him the most, Karr explains that they all do, but that in the future he plans to work more with people. His works have achieved public recognition and 1st place in a juried show in the Las Vegas community. Presently his works are on display at a Community Counseling Center and the Twin Lakes Gallery in Las Vegas. For more information about his works, Dale Karr can be reached at realkard@mac.com.
Arthur Jacob
 Arthur Jacob is a newcomer to Las Vegas where he is continuing his profession as a photographer and artist.
Jacob's interests were initially in developing his skills as a photographer and capturing the emotion of his subjects. After a shoot however, he discovered that lighting and backgrounds did not tell the whole story. In order to capture what he really wanted to accomplish, he needed to explore more closely how the image's individual shapes, colors and tones needed to be viewed separately and then as a whole. Jacob states, "I have always had an interest in colors and how they go together. Color and movement are a part of the vibrancy of life to me and the contrast between bold and vibrant colors versus dark and black is really what matters to me in my art. The real image is important but the abstraction of what it can be is exciting and challenging. My abstractions invite the viewer to use his imagination in trying to guess what the real image is. That's why I call my photography and art, photographic abstractions."
 The process for developing his photographic abstractions consist of taking a real-life image and tearing it apart digitally into a multitude of colors, shapes, tones and movement. From there, Jacob uses different techniques to explore the shades of a particular color or shape by rearranging them and applying different filters. Jacob states, "Initially, there may be a concept that I wanted to explore with an image but the discovery of new forms plays a part in the final work of art. It is a form of photography and art that I think is unique in Las Vegas Community."
The question comes up once in awhile about, "Is photography really an art form?" His answer is always, "Yes. As with any art form, in photography there is always the concern about composition, light, colors, shapes and subject matter. The camera, techniques and technology become the paint brush, which allows me to achieve the end result."
Arthur Jacob's works are presently being exhibited at Artistic Framing and L Maynard Galleries in Las Vegas, Nevada; Coastal Arts League Museum, Half Moon Bay, California. Inquiries about Arthur Jacob's work can be made at aj@ajphotoanddigitalart.com.
In ending this month's column, we would again like to invite you to become a part of the Contemporary Art experience both locally, regionally and nationally. Visit our Gallery on the "First Friday" of each month and join our membership.
Natalia and Ed
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