Monte Vista artist wins recognition in prestigious Western Art competition

‘Noon Council’ by Joe Horvath

ALAMOSA – Monte Vista artist Joe Horvath was recently recognized for his outstanding work by being selected as a finalist in Southwest Art Magazine 2022 highly prestigious “Artistic Excellence Competition.”

In publication for more than 40 years, Southwest Art Magazine has garnered a well-earned reputation for spotlighting exceptional artists whose work embodies the multi-faceted “West” and “puts readers in touch with the artists, galleries and collectors that shape the market.” The “Artistic Excellence Competition” is an annual opportunity for the publication to showcase such artists.

Horvath, who works out of his studio, won for “Noon Council,” a 16-inch-by-20-inch oil painting which was inspired by a photograph he took of “some old ranch buildings south of Monte Vista” where “four horses would congregate midday, two by two.” Hovarth said it seemed as though the horses were having a conversation about how they spent their morning.

Art has been a passion of Horvath’s since he was young. He said he was “self-taught” up until he took his first art classes in high school, an experience that only seemed to drive him to learn more.

While a student at the University of Montana earning his degree in geology, Horvath continued to take classes, including a studio class given by the late Rudi Audio who has been described as “one of the most masterful and influential artists working in clay in the United States” with work that is part of permanent collections in some of the most prestigious museums in the world.

While obtaining his teaching certificate at Regis University, Horvath furthered his studies, including work with Sister Lydia Peña, who was inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame for her contributions to art, art history and education, and a year spent working in a small group with renowned wildlife artist Edward Aldrich.

Horvath’s experience also extends outside of the studio. While living in Great Falls, Mont., he was a docent at the C.M. Russell Museum and became “immersed in Russell’s art environment.”

He said he has had many “art heroes” and “was lucky enough to meet a few of them, including Stan Lynde, the ‘Rick O’Shay’ comic strip artist, who critiqued and wanted to buy one of (his) paintings.”

Since retiring from teaching about 10 years ago, he’s been able to devote himself full-time to his passion.

For some, the name and work of Hovarth may already be familiar. He and his wife, Jeanne, relocated to the valley in 2017, finding it to be the perfect place to “do art and be inspired by nature.”

In addition to shows in several Denver galleries, Horvath has had one-man shows in the valley in recent years, including shows at the San Luis Valley Museum and San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center in Alamosa, the Steamplant Event Center’s Paquette Gallery and Coldwell Banker Real Estate in Salida.

In addition to painting, Horvath and his wife, Jeanne, produce original artwork, photography, prints, and greeting cards under the label Yellow Hawk Visions.

Anyone interested in viewing more of Horvath’s work and the work of his wife can do so by visiting believingthebird.com or going to Faemoon Art Designs on Adams Street in Monte Vista.

Anyone interested in speaking with Horvath directly can do so via email at [email protected].


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