Morgan Community College’s (MCC) Center for Arts and Community Enrichment (CACE) announces a new exhibit featuring the portrait paintings of artist Connie Ruel. The exhibit will be on display January 9 to February 11, 2025, at the CACE Gallery of Fine Arts, located at 300 Main Street in Fort Morgan. The collection will showcase Ruel’s expressive oil and acrylic portraits, each one exploring the emotions and stories of the people she paints.
Art has always been a central part of Connie Ruel’s life. Now a resident of Niwot, Colorado, her creative journey began in the kitchen, where she honed the art of plate presentation as a chef and restaurant owner. This love for “food art” sparked her interest in other forms of creativity, leading her to explore watercolor, acrylic, and oil painting. Over time, Ruel has become dedicated to expressing her passion on canvas, experimenting with different mediums and techniques to bring her artistic vision to life.
Connie Ruel’s portraits tell stories. Her work focuses on capturing the deep bonds between people, highlighting individual subjects and background figures to add layers of meaning. She is inspired by the faces she paints, their expressions, and the emotions that come through. For Ruel, art is about understanding and connecting with others.
Ruel has studied with renowned instructors such as Robin D’Amore, Glen Villpu, Fred Wessel, Robin Cole, Susan Diehl, Shana Levenson, Johanna Harmon, and Jeanne Hougen, among others. Their guidance has helped shape her approach to portraiture and deepened her passion.
“Ms. Ruel is bringing an interesting collection of works to the CACE Gallery,” said Suzanna Spears, MCC CACE Coordinator. “Her own journey from food artistry to canvas artistry will bring a unique twist to this exhibit.”
An Artist’s Reception is scheduled for Thursday, January 9, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the gallery where guests can meet Connie Ruel, learn about her creative process, and enjoy light refreshments. The public is also invited to view Connie Ruel’s work at the CACE Gallery of Fine Art. The gallery will be open on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free.
MCC CACE provides many free enrichment opportunities throughout the year. For more information on CACE events, please contact CACE Coordinator Suzanna Spears at (970) 542-3180 or [email protected]. Visit www.morgancc.edu/CACE for additional information about CACE.
