art
DOWNTOWN GRAND JUNCTION
CREATIVE DISTRICT Words by Allison Sarmo | Photos by Devon Balet
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hat do Salida, Colorado Springs, Telluride,
art galleries, graphic designers, tattoo artists,
Trinidad and Grand Junction have in
book stores, dance studios — the list goes on.
common, besides being in Colorado? They all
In summer and early fall, the Thursday night
have Creative Districts which showcase the arts,
Market on Main fills the air with music and the
local artists and myriad creative entrepreneurs,
streets with people exploring sumptuous stands
attract tourists and host a wealth of exciting
of local produce, arts and crafts and appetizing
cultural events and festivals throughout the year.
food booths.
Grand Junction’s downtown shines with the
According to Brandon Stam, executive
Art on the Corner sculpture exhibit, First Friday
director of the Downtown Development Authority
Art Walks, “Street Beats” public pianos, Avalon
(DDA), “We can now showcase Downtown and
Theatre performances, entertaining festivals
make it not so much a hidden gem and more of a
and countless creative businesses — architects,
well-known gem. I think that benefits us all.”
