Charlotte “Charlee” Shroyer has been named first place winner in the 2011 Top Ten International Women in the Arts competition sponsored by ARTROM Gallery, Rome, Italy. Artists from more than 20 countries participated in this competition honoring the creative energy of women.

Long fascinated by Cistercian abbeys and the awe-inspiring medieval architecture of Europe, Shroyer paints women of the ages on a journey through time and place. Often with animals at their sides, these figures are much more than paintings--they tell a story of women’s historical and emotional passages through time. Her widely collected abstracts are also featured.

Shroyer’s work has been described as coming from a place within and likened to the “feel and composition of an early Diebenkorn, during his Albuquerque series.” (Werenko and Coombs, “Kaleidoscope,” 2008). Collectors of her ethnic work depicting Central and South American themes compare it with the work of the Mexican artist Tamayo.

Shroyer’s journey into the art world has been an unlikely one given her early education resulting in a B.A. in French and a Ph.D. in special education, language and learning disorders. A trip to the Columbus Museum of Art as a youngster where she viewed the work of George Bellows and a college requirement for an elementary education methods class planted the seeds of fine art, but it was not until 40 years later that a serendipitous trip to Taos committed her to being an artist.

The online exhibit of Shroyer’s work launched on March 8, International Women’s Day, widely celebrated in Italy and other parts of the world, may be seen at ARTROM Gallery. Shroyer exhibits at Open Space Gallery and Blumenschein Studio Gallery in Taos as well as other national galleries.

Located in the Blumenschein Museum Complex on Ledoux Street, the gallery presents work of local and Colorado artists. Created in the same vein as the group of the original Taos Society of Artists, this newly created gallery plans traveling shows to other locales. More info on latest shows to follow.