SKY ON A STRING an exhibition of kites by George Peters & Melanie Walker
Kites especially fascinate Boulder Artists Melanie Walker and George Peters. The two teamed up to create Airworks Studio after realizing a shared affinity for aerial art. Melanie and George’s exhibit “Sky on A String” is running at Englewood’s Museum of Outdoor Art through tomorrow. You will discover nearly 100 kites, from 60 foot long giants to miniatures the size of a dime. Some are created with the imaginations and innovative minds of Melanie and George. Others they have tradedtraveling the world.
Melanie’s memories of kites started as a kid. “I remember making box kites with my Dad. He was a freelance photographer. This uniqueness of making things was always there,” reveals Melanie. Melanie attributes her artistic family for turning her onto creating. An avid sky watcher, Melanie is exploring new ways to put art in the sky. Examples of her digital kite making with some of her favorite photographs are displayed. “By putting an idea in the sky you can end up having a conversation with the elements that are up there,” says Melanie. George, a studio artist, knew from a young age that art was more than a hobby. “As a child I remember being fascinated that I could think of something in my head and make it appear by putting my hands to it,” confesses George. After living in Hawaii, George made a business of making kites. “I like finding the aerodynamics and working with the structure. Figuring out how it’s going to fly,” says George.
Their art extends beyond the studio and exhibits. They have both completed over 70 national and international large scale public art aerial sculptures and installations. Their passion for teaching includes George’s
kite workshops and Melanie’s teaching position as a professor of art at the University of Colorado in Boulder. “Younger generations are loosing their ability to make things,” says Melanie. “You might not remember the history lesson that day but many kids have a fond memory of making and flying kites,” adds George. The duo holds workshops for children, adults and also for teachers to share ideas of ways to expand art programs in schools.
Beyond kite making, Melanie and George share their aerial art across the world.” I love putting art in a place people aren’t expecting them,” says Melanie. The two have been to international kite festivals in all corners of the world to fly their kites and decorate the sky. It’s also about appreciating the art other people are flying. “We’re celebrationists. We want people to look up and marvel at a sky full of movement and color.”
To watch an interview with Melanie and George visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THoVKVkn-EU&feature=youtu.be
“Sky on a String” runs through July 21 at the Museum of Outdoor Arts.
1000 Englewood Parkway in Englewood.
The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 9 am.. to 4 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
For more information, go to moaonline.org
If you miss Sky on A String you can keep up with Melanie and George’s kite works and other aerial sculpture at
https://www.airworksstudio.com/
