Artist and Archeological, Anthropological Researcher.
Studio
(719) 942-4389
Email parkers@amigo.net
EDUCATION:
B.F.A.
w/Honors, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ.
Major: Sculpture; Minor: Creative Writing; Graduated 1973
RELATED
EXPERIENCE:
Professional Artist 1967-present
Thirty five years studying the prehistoric, historic, and contemporary Native
Americans of the American Southwest
Master of eleven different artistic mediums:
Sculpture: wild woods, bronze, stoneware, steel, pewter, copper.
Painting/drawing: acrylics, pastels, prismacolors, pen and
ink.
Collaborate with my wife, Kay Parker, on fiber arts and Birding garden sculpture
series.
Fire fighter Coaldale Colorado Fire Department.
Co founded with Kay Parker Artpost at Itty Bitty Lakes, Coaldale, CO Spring 2000. A regional center for fine professional art and high craft. Includes shop, outdoor walk and sculpture garden.
Represented by Artpost, Coaldale, CO 2000-present.
Represented by Handcrafted Interiors, Pagosa Springs, CO 1999-2001.
Major bronze fountain commission to be completed 2002.
Best of Show in Fine Craft, Boulder Creek Festival, Spring 2001 & Spring 2002.
Judges Choice Award, SAHBA Show 2001, Most Eye Catching SAHBA Show 2002.
Best of Show, Patagonia Fall Festival: A Celebration of Music and Art, Fall 2000.
Award winner in Wood Sculpture, Southwest Arts Festival 1999.
Series of twelve One Artist Shows at Tamarron Hilton Resort, North of Durango, CO throughout 1996-98.
One Man Show for Mayo Clinic at the Pointe Squaw Peak Hilton, Spring 1997.
Exhibiting and selling artist in four hundred sixty professional group shows in twelve states 1974-2002.
Research and photographic expedition with archeologist Alan Ziff to major ruins in Northern Arizona, including Betatakin and Canyon del Muerto, Summer 1996.
Founded the Robert L. Parker Gallery, Durango, CO 1988-1995.
Created the Robert L. Parker Studios at Itty Bitty Lakes, Coaldale, CO 1985-present. Working studios including an eight thousand square foot sculpting studio for monumental projects in different mediums.
Northern Arizona University Art Museum "Current Directions Exhibition" Fall 1994.
Two research and buying trips visiting various Indian groups and archeological sites in Mezo - America, Winter 1993, Spring 1994.
Major commission from the Discovery Channel Corporate Office in connection with their Explore Your World program, Fall 1994.
Masters Showcase Purchase Award for the bronze Pueblo Buffalo Dancer, Endurance, Silver Dollar City, Branson, MO 1991.
Monumental Commission, Song of the Juniper, 1991-1993.
Twenty-three One Artist shows promoting Mesa Verde National Park 1980-1991, including: Tigua Museum, El Paso, TX 1980, Salmon Ruin Museum, Farmington, NM 1981, Arizona Inn, Tucson, AZ 1983, 1985, Regency Hotel, Denver, CO 1983, Classic Hotel, Albuquerque, NM 1983, Pointe Tapatio Resort, Phoenix, AZ, 1983, 1984, Loews Anatole Hotel, Dallas, TX 1984, Shamrock Hilton Hotel, Houston TX 1984, Mesa Verde National Park Museum, CO 1984, 1986, Las Cruces Art Museum and Cultural Center, NM 1985, Silver Dollar City, Branson, MO 1991.
Major Commission for Eastern Mountain Sports, USA 1990.
Researched and photographed Anasazi pottery collection in Smithsonian Archives, Washington D.C., 1988.
Creation of "Cacique's Staffs" for Taramumara Tribe, fall 1987.
Founded Robert L. Parker Studio and Gallery at Mesa Verde National Park, 1987-1988.
Selected Artist at Mesa Verde National Park, CO 1981-1988. Included extensive research and photography of the archeology, anthropology and natural history of the Park, translating this to park visitors through my sculpture and painting; presenting a special One Artist Showing for the Director of the National Park Service and attending Superintendents of the National Parks of America.
Major commission for the National Youth Gathering, American Lutheran Church, 1985.
Accepted into The National Museum and Gallery Registration Association, Washington, D.C., 1982.
Taught a Primitive Pottery workshop (included pit firings) Salmon Ruin, Farmington, NM Summer, 1981.
Muralist for the State of Arizona, Arizona Training Program at Tucson 1973-74. Created over twenty-five wall murals.
Creator, builder and owner of two environmental coffee houses, including eight wall murals, Tucson and Flagstaff, AZ 1970-71.