"Circa 1910" by Evelyn Peters, oil on canvas, 1989
COURTESY OF STEAMBOAT CREATES
The Year of the Arts ›› A kaleidoscope of arts awaits visitors and locals alike in
Steamboat Springs in 2022. The art scene is vibrant, not only in terms of color palettes, but also in ingenuity, diversity and pure talent. A creative vibe pulses through the city, from classical music to street art, from innovative breweries to culinary delights, from galleries and museums to dancers among the aspen groves. While Steamboat recently received recognition as a Colorado Creative District, the story of arts in the Yampa Valley is as old as Kim Keith, executive director of Steamboat the community itself. The Crawford family, who founded the city Creates in 1876, took time from the dawn-to-dusk work of homesteading in what was essentially wilderness to paint, write and host musical gatherings. Side by side with its long history of skiing, Steamboat Springs also has deep roots in the arts. Carl Howelsen, the Norwegian ski jumper who introduced recreational skiing to Ski Town USA, originally came to town in 1913 to visit Marjorie Perry, whose sister Charlotte and their friend Portia Mansfield were building a dance camp in Strawberry Park. Today, Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp is not only the longest-standing dance camp in the country, it is also credited with being an important part of the American modern dance movement. Fifty years ago, Eleanor Bliss, who had known Charlotte and Portia since she was a young woman, joined with Carol Finnoff, George Tolles and other friends to form the Steamboat Springs Council for the Arts and Humanities (DBA: Steamboat Creates). Eleanor spearheaded the drive to “Save the Depot” and transform it into a community art center. She had a vision for the future of arts and culture that continues to unfold today. Steamboat Creates, renamed in 2019, is hosting a year-long celebration in honor of the 50th anniversary of the only arts advocacy nonprofit in the region. The arts’ deep roots, our current vibrancy and our exciting future share the spotlight in 2022. We hope you will join in honoring the rich artistic culture that infuses Steamboat Springs. Kim Keith | Executive Director | Steamboat Creates, Colorado Certified Creative District 4 • Volume 15, Edition 2, 2022
