Artists channel creative spark at fifth annual ARTSWEEK GOLDEN

Circus Foundry performers return for Golden Mill showcase

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

For artists, there’s no better way to swing into summer than showcasing at Foothills Art Center’s annual ARTSWEEK GOLDEN.

e fth annual event drew more than 100 artists to Golden June 19-25 for several community events, including the June 24-25 arts festival downtown. Organizers were excited to welcome about 30 new artists this year, and host returning ones like those from Denver’s Circus Foundry. e aerialists, jugglers and acrobats performed between early evening rainstorms June 21, as hundreds of Goldenites and visitors watched on with food and beverage in-hand.

Circus Foundry has performed at ARTSWEEK all ve years, hosting its rst three shows in the FAC courtyard. But last year, organizers moved the performance to the Golden Mill to draw more attendees, raise funds for FAC and host more ARTSWEEK events throughout the city.

Executive Director Hassan Najjar described how, because both the organization’s campuses are under construction, the Foothills Art Center was leaning more on its community partners this year.

Golden City Brewery hosted a June 19 sketch-and-paint event with local artist Janet Nunn; the Golden Beer Talks featured painter Jesse Crock at its June 20 event; and the Golden Civic Foundation’s annual Summer Jam

June 22 was scheduled to host a pottery demonstration.

While the logistics looked a little di erent this year, Najjar emphasized how the goal of ARTSWEEK remained.

“We want to elevate the arts in Golden,” he said. “ is gets people thinking about it for a solid week.”

Eriq Hochuli, FAC’s curator for ARTSWEEK, was excited to see a nice blend of new and returning artists, including the Circus Foundry performers. Hochuli said hosting them at the Golden Mill was the perfect way to “get lots of eyes on the performance.”

Anthony Cummings, Circus Foundry’s co-founder, said he and the other eight performers were excited to provide free entertainment for Goldenites and other guests, saying ARTSWEEK crowds are always very welcoming and enthusiastic.

Because circuses and circus-style acts historically haven’t been accessible to everyone, Cummings encouraged anyone interested in learning to give it a try. He and his performers emphasized how people of all ages, skill levels and backgrounds can learn.

Kyle Sherk, who’s been studying Chinese pole acrobatics for twoand-a-half years, described how he started out as a rock-climber. After 15 years of doing the sport, he said he wanted to try something di erent, and learning vertical acrobatics was easier than he’d expected.

Most of his fellow Circus Foundry students have gymnastics and/or dance backgrounds, so performing seems more natural for them. Sherk’s performed at student showcases and this summer’s Parker Days, and said it’s a good opportunity for him to practice his focus while he’s in the proverbial spotlight.

Meanwhile, Natatia Smith levied her history in dance, gymnastics and martial arts into multiple circus disciplines.

She performed at last year’s ARTSWEEK show at the Golden Mill. is year, she returned with a sling performance, winding and spinning down from more than 20 feet in the air.

“I’ve never done something quite like it before,” she said of performing at the Golden Mill.

Smith described how she appreciates the combination of athletics and creativity that’s inherent to all performing arts, but especially circus disciplines. She also loves channeling that creative spark that drives all artists — the thought of taking something from one’s imagination and bringing it to life for others to enjoy.