John Spannagel
Painter, Teacher and Musician

Articles

John Spannagel: Multi-Talented in Sedona - courtesy Beverly Lehnhardt, Sedona.biz
November 13, 2006

Born in scenic Alamosa, Colorado, John Spannagel's passion for art and music led him to double-major in Music Performance and Art/Graphic Design at the Adams State College in his home town, and he is the only student to receive a music degree in guitar performance from Adams.

After college he taught fretted instruments to people of all ages, both privately and as a faculty member at his alma mater, and performed in numerous bands, sharing the stage with music icons John Conlee, Marshall Tucker, Doug Kershaw and Michael Martin Murphy. He was also the opening act for the legendary western band, Sons of the Pioneers, in 2002 at the then-newly-completed Sedona Cultural Park's Georgia Frontiere Performing Arts Pavilion.

On the artistic front, John became a design artist and later a general manager for an art gallery in Breckenridge, CO.

Twelve years ago he moved to Sedona and within two years he was painting professionally. Over time, John's art pieces became larger and larger. For a long time John's largest piece was a 30 x 40 inch painting commissioned by the Village of Oak Creek's IGA Food & Drug owner, Jake Weber.

Then in 1998 John successfully completed a 144 square-foot painting of Bell Rock that sits just outside The Sedona Trading Post in VOC. Titled, Like a Rock, this painting led to a 90-foot long, five-foot high wall that runs parallel to Route 179 and The Sedona Trading Post.

In this project, entitled Art--The Golden Thread of Life, John utilized his signature style--a thread of golden metallic paint woven throughout the piece--to provide a physical connection to the elements spanning the history of art from ancient Egypt to the present...and beyond. The mural is now a landmark.

In 2002, John donated a 20” x 24” Giclée print entitled Englemann's Bounty to the silent auction held at the 5th annual Sedona Taste. The Giclée technique uses a high resolution ink-jet printer to produce a large format fine art digital image. This stunning piece of artwork depicts the Southwest prickly pear cactus brimming with fruit, detailed in rich designer tones of forest green and deep red wines. Custom framed in rich mahogany it was a welcome addition to the auction winner's art collection.

John is known for his interest in furthering artistic awareness, education and opportunity for children and he believes that by supporting the Sedona Taste, an annual major fund-raiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Sedona, he "...can help provide opportunities for kids to be exposed to art and music and perhaps contribute in some way to a youngster's budding artistic passion.”

More recently, John was nominated for the prestigious State of Arizona Governor's Art Award by the Arizona Commission on the Arts and Arizonans for Cultural Development. His work has been recognized as among the best and most creative contribution to the state.

John's work can be found in many galleries throughout the Southwest as well as several resorts, B & Bs, The National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum and in numerous private collections around the world. Locally, John's artwork is offered at Spiritwind Gallery, Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village on Hwy. 179. You can visit the gallery in person or go to www.spiritwindsedona.com.

A 'people person' at heart, you can often find John on the Spiritwind Gallery's patio, painting-in-public, striking up conversations and making new friends. "Most people," he says with a warm smile, "love to meet the artist and I take great joy, however brief, in each relationship.”

He stills stays involved in music, playing local gigs and at informal gatherings.

John is also opening his own gallery in VOC. The John Spannagel Gallery--Fine Art and Custom Framing will be located at #10, Bell Rock Plaza, Suite B--right next door to the Sedona Trading Post and behind his 90-foot long mural! The gallery will showcase John's artwork including his Giclees, and the artwork of other, hand-picked artists, as well as custom framing.

Beverly Lehnhardt - sedona.biz