Member Highlight: Gina Vernon Art

Dancer Cleo Parker Robinson lays on the floor while artist Gina Vernon holds her head and shoulder.

By Gina Vernon, Artist

Tell us about you: provide a short bio or organization statement.
Artist Gina Vernon poses in an apron

Artist Gina Vernon

Intense. Profound. Human. I hold a deeply rooted purpose of storytelling through my art, while fostering human connection. From Cleo Parker Robinson to U.S. Paralympians, my signature Figures in Fabric Sculptures tell life stories in a tangible way because they are molded DIRECTLY from the subjects’ posed figures. After the sculptures quickly harden, I paint them to enhance their illusion of having lifelike energy and motion. Surprisingly, my sculptures weigh only 5-15 lbs. They also can be transformed to any scale from outdoor monuments to jewelry pendants.

Share a story of how your organization engages with the business sector (i.e. sponsorship, volunteerism, etc.).
Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins sits in front of the sculpture created by Gina, which is twice her size.

All the Way to Freedom, formed from world-leading disability advocate, educator, and Coloradan, Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins.

My sculptures can represent legendary figures, communities, and themes that businesses want to highlight. Examples include:

  • Cleo Parker Robinson (Dance) for CPRD’s new expanded facility, plus CPRD dancers for a first-of-it’s-kind art/dance-choreography collaboration (now in progress).
  • Paralympians for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Visitor Center.
  • All the Way to Freedom, formed from world-recognized disability advocate, educator, and Coloradan, Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins. Jennifer was the little girl who climbed out of her wheelchair and crawled up the U.S. Capitol Building steps with the 1990 Capitol Crawl protest.
  • Colorado Ballet dancers for an exhibit at the Armstrong Center for Dance.

Businesses and non-profits can also engage with and utilize my art through project sponsorship, purchase of existing sculptures, or by commission. I welcome the participation of your employees or community in my concept and design process.

How has this engagement with business benefitted you and your organization?
A sculpture by Gina hangs on a wall in a gallery. Two people stand in front of it looking at the sculpture.

Nightscape at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities’ Art of the State.

Business engagement has generated more visibility for my work. It has also increased my opportunities to tell important life stories through my art and to foster connection to the best of our shared humanity.

How is your organization supporting the creative economy?

Creativity is my passion and my livelihood! Through my unique process, I make art that heartens people, which in turn, prompts them to discover and support more art.

Why are you involved with CBCA?

The CBCA community recognizes and appreciates the intrinsic value of original art in all its forms, plus the creators that make art experiences happen. I thrive on collaborating with people like CBCA members.

If you would like more information about becoming a CBCA member, visit the CBCA Membership page or contact our Membership & Development Manager, Sarah Braverman at sbraverman@cbca.org.