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‘Lumonics,’ a stimulating and unique perspective of light and space, to impact Steamboat Springs

News  | Nov 21, 2024

The First Friday Artwalk will feature a one-of-a-kind art collection, entitled “Lumonics,” which will be unveiled in early December. The exhibit will be housed at The Boathouse, 6th and Yampa St. with an opening reception during FFAW at 5 p.m. Dec. 6. Light refreshments will be served while viewers walk through the display of glowing sculptures.

The collections presentation is the result of a dedicated effort of several groups including Western Centers, Family Bowl, the Boathouse, The Boat Yard and The Tavern at the Glen.

Western Centers is the real estate and investment management company behind Snow Bowl.

The exhibit will be available for viewing through Jan. 5 with gallery hours from 1-8 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays; and 10 a.m.-1p.m. Sundays.  Appointments can also be made for private viewings

A press release for the event noted that “Lumonics” is one of the first and longest-running light art projects in the United States. It arose out of the “light and space movement,” which places a focus on highlighting light, volume and scale using industrial materials like glass, plexiglass, neon, wood, metal and fluorescent lights, all of which interact with their surroundings. 

The movement helps viewers gain new perspectives on life while also stimulating individual and collective creativity.

The Steamboat exhibition will be a microcosm of the vast art collection, with both one-of-a-kind and limited editions being available for sale.

Dorothy and Mel Tanner, who passed away in 2020 and 1993 respectively, are the founders of “Lumonics”. Throughout their careers, both gained high levels of recognition and earned several awards for their light-based artistic renditions.

The movement and the art resulting from it is being carried forward by Marc Billard and Barry Raphael, who are the artists behind the Steamboat Springs exhibition. Both Billard and Raphael worked with the Tanners. Based in Denver, they have dedicated their lives to archiving and presenting the Lumonics collection to audiences throughout the country.

Billard recalled the awe that he felt after viewing the collection for the rst time. Working as a carpenter in Florida, he was invited over by Mel Tanner’s sister, who was Billard’s neighbor. Seeking something more in his life, Billard accepted the opportunity to view Tanner’s works.

“I showed up…and thought ‘oh my goodness, what a place’,” said Billard. “It was just beautiful.”
After volunteering, Billard was hired by the Tanners and contributed to building the collection.

As a school teacher, Raphael was looking for a “personal breakthrough” as he sought what he called the “ultimate field trip.” After attending performances at the Lumonics Light and SoundTheatre, he was enamored and also volunteered his services to the Tanners.

After Mel passed, Billard and Dorothy Tanner dedicated their lives to continuing the movementby producing immersive shows, as Tanner wanted to continue the “healing” nature and legacy of the art.

“It was like a second or third life of creativity until a couple of years before Dorothy passed,” said Billard. “Once she passed, Barry and I were trying to figure out what we were going to do. We decided to continue the light and sound immersion.”

Chakra, a limited edition piece by Dorothy Tanner.      Lumonics/Courtesy image

Both Billard and Raphael will be on site during the exhibition of the collection to share theirhistory within the movement. They will also explain the “labor and love” that went into each piece, bringing the stories of the Tanners back to life. “We are a team that is very collaborative,” said Billard.

Items within the exhibit will be available for purchase, with proceeds being directed to the Lumonics Legacy Fund and the Family Bowl. Past fundraising has been targeted to those impacted by the Maui wildfires as well as the free summer concerts at Snow Bowl and other community non-profits.

Barry Raphael (left), and Marc Billard carry on the Lumonics legacy.
Billard & Raphael/Courtesy image

To keep the movement going, both Billard and Raphael have also hosted classes to maintain the momentum of light and space-based art while also archiving components of the collection.

“Our main goal in our lifetimes now is to get all the artwork in one large space that will be able to live on after us,” closed Billard. “We hope the public in Steamboat Springs gets excited about the artwork and would want to lend a hand to what we are doing.”

For more information on Lumonics and the legacy of the collection, visit Lumonics.net