GIVING HEARTS

Wild West: Wildlife Masters, Past and Present

Presenting masterworks from museums, private collections and 30 living artists with select works for sale.

December 1, 2023 – April 13, 2024 Opening Events December 1 & 2 Free Admission to the Steamboat Art Museum!

Amy Ringholz, Fog Lifter, ink and oil on canvas.

www.steamboatartmuseum.org

|

807 Lincoln Ave, Steamboat Springs, CO

|

970-870-1755

GIVING HEARTS

by AwA

WHEN SOMEONE NEW to Steamboat Springs arrives with a generous offer and a new business with “New York” in its title, the initial response may include a sense of curiosity. So, when Lauren Franko reached out to local nonprofits offering financial assistance, many in the community understandably had reservations, wondering if the offer was too good to be true. However, their initial skepticism turned into authentic appreciation as they discovered the sincere spirit of giving that Steamboat Springs has inspired in Lauren. Giving back, for Lauren, is about being better and creating a better place to live.

Lauren came to Steamboat Springs via Iowa. Her parents found the town one summer and when she later came back for Christmas and skied, she was sold. She got married here, then officially made Steamboat Springs home about a year-and-a-half ago. Both Lauren and her husband are from the Midwest, but love their mountain home. “I love the community aspect. This place feels like home, like a magical fairy town,” said Lauren.

While Lauren worked in entertainment and getting venues started from the ground up, she always wanted to work with her sister, Lexi, who is a fashion guru. Lexi believes people should not just look good in what they are wearing, but also feel good in what they are wearing. Their new downtown store, SBNY, will blend comfort and style, meshing fashion and entertainment. There will be fashion shows at the store and an indoor ski hill that STARS (Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports) and Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club can use for summer training. The ski hill will eventually be open to the public.

The business isn’t a corporation, it’s a family business—a business that believes that by supporting one another, people and nonprofit organizations can realize their dreams. “We want people to know we are here to help the community in the ways that we can,” said Lauren.

These giving hearts were inspired by how much Steamboat as a community gives to one another. That aligns with what Lauren’s family believes in and the aesthetic she is creating with SBNY. 70

Winter 2023

Lauren Fr SBNY “We want people to know we are here to help,” said Lauren.

Any nonprofit can apply for a grant funded by SBNY. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis, with a monthly budget of approximately $10,000 to $15,000. That amount is expected to ramp up once the store opens.

The store also will be available to host nonprofit events of up to 50 people on the top level, where there will be decks overlooking Steamboat Resort and Howelsen Hill. One of their first events will be a ticket-based disco party.

Whether you need to reimagine your look for the slopes or you need some support for your nonprofit organization, SBNY is here to help. They are here to give. Seriously.

ELEVATE THE ARTS: Visit their location on Lincoln Ave. Nonprofits can visit SB-NY.com and go to the Be Better page to apply for a grant. AwA Art with Altitude

ranko Photo courtesy of SBNY

Use your Alpine Bank ARTS Loyalty Debit Card* and help us raise $2.5 million to support Colorado community causes in 2023. Learn more at alpinebank.com/50YearsYoung. *Alpine Bank debit cards are available with no annual fee to individuals with an Alpine Bank checking account.

ALPINEBANK.COM

Art with Altitude

MEMBER FDIC

Winter 2023

71