FRISCO — Before the levees broke, New Orleans artist Geza Brunow likened the city to Paris, where musicians, artists and filmmakers had a home.

“There was something for everyone, it was booming,” he said. “I felt like it was the last place left in the U.S. that had soul, real heart and soul.”

But in 2005, Hurricane Katrina pulled the rug out from underneath the city and its people.

Two years later, those affected are still in survival mode.

“Nobody has even had a chance to grieve ... because nobody has had the chance to come out the other side,” Brunow said. “We had to hit the ground running.”

The rise in rents, crime and poor leadership made it hard for Brunow to continue to stick it out.

For a couple month’s now, he has been staying in Asheville, North Carolina. He’d been having trouble sleeping in his place in New Orleans, which was spared, and says he is exhausted from the constant struggle.

“I still feel sort of shell shocked about it,” Brunow said.

“Everyone is living with this traumatic experience and no one has had any therapy since all the medical professionals left.”

He cites a new cropping of health and wellness spas up and down Magazine Street as evidence of this unmet need.

Brunow had been living in New Orleans and capturing the location’s vibrant essence through painting for the last 10 years. In the storm he lost his studio and several other large pieces. They were stored at a friend’s house in Mississippi, which was hit by a 35-foot tidal wave.

Yet, he notes, “There are people who have lost a lot more.”

Living in the aftermath, the artist was able to find the thread that was keeping the community breathing.

Brunow’s inspiration for his new exhibit, “State of Natural Grace” — “comes from a place of positivity, from the place that we get our source of strength.”

“These paintings are kind of like an offering; remember this, remember this sweet thread we had. In the paintings you think about all these moments where you would pause and appreciate the city.”

Ten of Brunow’s pieces will be at the WildSide Studio in Frisco for one week beginning Saturday.

“With the show, I’m not focusing on the tragedy so much, but the current of sweetness inside the bittersweet,” he said.

“Without the graciousness of the community, we wouldn’t have been able to get through it. We’re living in this state of grace until that time when New Orleans finally heals — which is going to take a long time.”

He said the community had at first hoped things would turn around quickly, but are now hoping for it in 10 years.

Although he’s left the city and is not sure when or if he will return, he said he will consider himself a New Orleans resident no matter where he goes.

“New Orleans has this strange magnetic quality. You can’t get too far away or leave without getting sucked back in,” Brunow said. “Everyone is hoping that it will heal.”

FRISCO — The Wildside Studio in Frisco is now showing some of the internationally collected original works of artist William DeBilzan.

DeBilzans’ pieces appear playful at first, but are deceptively complex. They have been featured in film and television including “Frasier,” “Just Shoot Me,” “Spin City,” “LA Doctors” and “C.S.I. Miami.” A partial list of private collections include Shaquille O’Neal, Adam Sandler, Dyan Cannon, Tony Hawk, Jason Hervey, Aaron Eckhart, Jim Edmonds and Eric Johnson. His work is also part of a number of corporate collections, such as that of the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Owner of Wildside, Kris Lee, said she is still showing 99 percent Colorado artists’ work, but is hoping to create a balance with more contemporary pieces.

FRISCO - "I get bored at galleries a lot," Kris Lee, owner of WildSide Studio said recently. Odd words for a gallery owner? Maybe not, when you consider her philosophy on leasing the historic building from the town of Frisco.

"I want the studio to be very dynamic and changing every time - an adventure every time you walk in the door. And it reflects Frisco. The people coming here are looking for adventure - at least I was," she said.

The Dillon resident knew she would open a gallery, ever since she got in her car and traveled here from Montana. At first she thought she was going out to look for a job, until something donned on her. She remembered thinking, "Why am I putting my art last - what I love the most in my life?"

The painter of 25 years would instead immerse herself in her art for the next three years. And compile a database of artists she wanted to feature. The right space soon became available.

The former tenants of 518 Main St., the Summit Prevention Alliance, moved their offices to another location in Frisco, and Lee, who had noticed the space's potential only in passing, took the opportunity as fate.

Her lease began in November and Lee contacted the local and Colorado artists she'd taken note of. With their help, the WildSide Studio will host its first event (an invitation-only thank-you for supporters) before Christmas.

"One of the most exciting parts of being an artist is having a vision of something - seeing it realized," Lee said. "This is just a big art project."

•••

In fact, the town of Frisco was looking for art-related retail in the spot. According to Simone Belz, museum coordinator for the town of Frisco, the Rouse-Staley House, built in 1892 and named for its residents, is thought to be an important link between the attractions at the Frisco Historic Park and the shops and restaurants at the east end of Main.

The town is currently in the process of nominating the house to the State Register of Historic Properties. Executive assistant for the town, Julie Sutor, said Frisco has finalized a grant which will be used to hire experts who will officially determine its historical authenticity and probably offer more insight into the log cabin's history during the mining days of Frisco's past.

A door to the off-limits upstairs of the building holds the exhibit of the cabin's known history record. For now, a set of narrow, spiral stairs keeps the two upstairs rooms empty.

•••

A greater depth to Lee's vision will be completed with the involvement of the community.

An introductory drawing class will be offered at the studio, taught by gallery owner/artist Lee herself. Guest artists are invited to teach classes at the space as well. And she encourages groups to use the space to meet for a small fee. She also cites the friendly nature of relationships between Frisco galleries and notes the Columbine Gallery has already asked to put a kiln in the back yard of her shop in order to teach a class.

Demonstrations on the weekends and monthly events are meant to liven up the gallery experience and allow entrance to a new generation of art lovers.

"It gets young people in that don't want to sit around and drink champagne and listen to harp music.

"A lot of galleries are very formal and don't respect young people. I find them to be a source of energy, enthusiasm and life for a gallery," Lee said.

And her focus on local, emerging or experimental art, she said, will keep her from going the way of gift-orientated art.

"I want something to make people talk a little, not just decorate," she said.

The gallery is open 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. A note to aspiring artists though. Lee's policy on the artwork she will show in her gallery: "I don't accept anything I don't get excited about. That way I know it will sell."

Leslie Brefeld can be reached at (970) 668-4626 or lbrefeld@summitdaily.com.