Ouray Artist Cie Hoover makes OIFF 2024 Awards
“Reel Summit” by Cie Hoover
The 2024 filmmaker awards
Artist, musician, husband. Cie Hoover lives and creates his art in Ouray, Colorado. In addition to performing alongside his wife Karisa in the folk-rock duo You Knew Me When, Cie has always had a passion for the visual arts. After working in the Nashville music industry for over a decade, and then touring full-time for six and a half years throughout North America with You Knew Me When, Cie rekindled his love of the visual arts living amongst the San Juan Mountains.
Cie grew up in Blacksburg, Virginia, and frequently visited Colorado with his family in his formative years. He attended Belmont University in Nashville, TN, and obtained his BBA in Music Business. After graduating, Cie was a publicist with Garth Brooks’ manager for several years, the Artist Relations Coordinator for Meinl Cymbals for a stint, the Artist Relations Coordinator for the International Songwriting Competition for a couple years, and the Global Events Manager for Gibson Guitar for 4 years prior to touring full-time with You Knew Me When. Music has always played an important role in Cie's life, and subsequently plays an important role in Cie's art...especially when getting into an "artistic" frame of mind.
Cie’s art has grown in recognition since receiving the Mayor’s Choice Award at the Inaugural 610 Arts Collective Regional Arts Exhibition back in April of 2019. Since that time he has continued to explore woodworking as a creative and artistic medium. After buying and remodeling an old 1898 mining house in Ouray, CO, Cie discovered the versatility of wood as an art medium and began transforming his garage into his woodworking studio. The majority of Cie's work is based on and inspired by the San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado. After creating a "wood canvas" Cie utilizes various routers, saws, and stains to create his artwork. A number of his works also incorporate the use of sound waves as an artistic element and subtle dictation of what the work embodies.
In 2022, OIFF reached out to Cie to make a statue for the festival. We were looking for a visual icon and the result is our beloved “Reel Summit”— a nearly six foot tall wood carving that graces the festival and hosts our medals during the awards ceremony. In just a few years, the statue has indeed become iconic and serves as a beacon to the power of cinema for all who see it. When looking for local artisan for the 2024 filmmaker awards, we again turned to Cie for his unique craftsmanship. The results are beautiful hand-carved and burned awards that will now drape down from “Reel Summit” during the 2024 Awards Ceremony (Sunday, June 23, @ 9pm). Follow Cie Hoover on Instagram to stay up-to-date on his art.