Daily Inspiration: Meet Becky Silver

Today we’d like to introduce you to Becky Silver.

Hi Becky, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I graduated from CSU with a major in Political Science and a double minor in art and history, plus my teaching certificate. Immediately after finishing my student teaching, I was offered a teaching job in Westminster. I taught for 9 years. I loved teaching the middle school-aged kids!

My sons were born in 1980 and ’82, and fortunately, by the time my husband, Larry’s business had taken off I was able to resign from my teaching job to stay home with my little boys. I also began pursuing my interest in being an artist which has been my passion since I was a child. As my boys got older and were in school, I had more time and became active in the art community. I began exhibiting and selling my artwork and winning awards. I joined the Paletteers Art Club, the Colorado Watercolor Society, and the Arvada Fine Art Guild.

I also was asked to serve on the board of the North Metro Arts Alliance. I am still involved in all of these organizations. I serve as board President of the North Metro Arts Alliance. Larry’s business continued to grow and thrive becoming one of the largest auto recycling businesses in the Rocky Mountain West. Our kids both attended CSU in Fort Collins. All of our lives were forever changed when Larry was diagnosed with acute leukemia in November of 2004. After an arduous fight, including traveling to Seattle for a stem cell transplant, Larry passed away on August 24, 2005. And so there we were trying to figure out our next steps and in shock and grief. My sons were such a blessing at the time.

They both moved back home with me so we could support each other. Ben had graduated in June of 2005, with a double major in Business Management and Marketing from CSU, plus his Entrepreneurship Certificate. He immediately went to work trying to run his father’s company. What a blessing that was and to see him apply his education in the real world was inspiring. Ben was not only successful, but the company has continued to grow and thrive to this day. Ben is still the CEO and his brother works by his side.

I don’t ever remember a time when I didn’t create art. It seemed to be always encouraged by my parents. My paternal grandfather, Merlin Enabnit, was a professional artist. He was known for paintings of pin-up girls during World War II. They were called Merlin girls. He also did commercial art for Miller Beer, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and many more well-known companies. In the ’50 he moved to Chicago from LA and became a professional Portrait artist. He developed his color theories, became known as the Wizard of Color, and published many art instruction books. I grew up with this influence and always thought that I would be an artist someday.

I was frustrated as an art major in college and I knew that I would need to support myself so added other coursework to my education. I was so fortunate that my husband’s business was so successful that I was able to take the time to focus on my art. A couple of years after Larry passed away, I decided to open my art gallery. I had about 10 years of experience as part of a co-op gallery so I felt that I understood the business. I spent a few years looking for a building and purchased the property in Historic Westminster in 2008. In May 2009, the Aar River Gallery opened for business and my long-time dream became a reality. The building I bought was a warehouse where vinyl windows were made so a total remodel was necessary.

I have a wonderful, large gallery display area, a classroom and studio space, and a sculpture garden. We have art Classes for all ages, host events like Morning Teas in the Sculpture Garden, and feature the art of over 30 local artists. I mainly paint watercolor and love doing mountain landscapes and flowers. I also have fun with abstraction in mixed media and collage. I also do commissions if you need a specific size or color palette.

My gallery is located in the Historic Westminster Art District at 3707 W. 73rd Ave. 73rd Avenue was the original main street of Westminster back when it was just a little town back in the late 1800s. Many of the old storefronts including the Grange Hall still are there today. The Historic Westminster Art District was formed in 2010 and hosts Second Saturday Art Walks each month. By the way, my gallery is named after the Aar River in Switzerland. My grandfather, Merlin Enabnit was 100% Swiss so I thought it was a cool name.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I opened The Aar River Gallery in 2009. I purchased the property located in Historic Westminster in 2008. It took close to a year to complete the remodel of the building which had previously been a warehouse where vinyl windows were made and sold.

A couple of other galleries opened within the first few years that I did and we formed the Historic Westminster Art District. Over the years the other galleries have closed and now there are just a couple left. I feel like the days of in-person gallery visits were affected by the pandemic. My gallery has not been able to get back to what it was like before. I continue to do marketing both digital and by mail.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I learned to paint with watercolor when I was in high school and it has always been one of my favorite mediums. The beauty of the Rocky Mountains inspires me every season.

I especially love to paint fall aspen scenes and winter snow scenes. I am well known for my paintings of fall aspen trees. Over the past 10 years, I have enjoyed experiments with mixed media and acrylics. With these mediums, my art becomes more abstract. I often incorporate gemstones, and other 3 dimensional objects into the collages.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I am optimistic and hard-working. I also love what I do and I think that makes all the difference. I have tried to make my gallery a community gathering place for the arts.

I host the North Metro Arts Alliance meeting in my studio. And I have community events in my sculpture garden and gallery. We also offer regular art classes for all ages.

Pricing:

• $2 to $2000

Contact Info:

• Website: www.beckyenabnitsilver.com
• Instagram: Aar River Gallery
• Facebook: Aar River Gallery
• Linkedin: Becky Silver