ART

DOWNTOWN GRAND JUNCTION CREATIVE DISTRICT

Words by Allison Sarmo | Photos by Devon Balet

What do Salida, Colorado Springs, Telluride, Trinidad and Grand Junction have in common, besides being in Colorado? They all have Creative Districts which showcase the arts, local artists and myriad creative entrepreneurs, attract tourists and host a wealth of exciting cultural events and festivals throughout the year. Grand Junction’s downtown shines with the Art on the Corner sculpture exhibit, First Friday Art Walks, “Street Beats” public pianos, Avalon Theatre performances, entertaining festivals and countless creative businesses — architects, art galleries, graphic designers, tattoo artists, book stores, dance studios — the list goes on. In summer and early fall, the Thursday night Market on Main fills the air with music and the streets with people exploring sumptuous stands of local produce, arts and crafts and appetizing food booths.

According to Brandon Stam, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), “We can now showcase Downtown and make it not so much a hidden gem and more of a well-known gem. I think that benefits us all.”

Grand Junction’s downtown is one of 23 districts officially designated by the Colorado Creative Industries Division (CCI) of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). According to coloradocreativeindustries.org, the certified Creative Districts focus on specific areas that “attract artists and creative entrepreneurs to a community, infuse new energy and innovation, and enhance economic and civic capital.” CCI’s district designation comes with financial and technical support, networking and highlights the districts on the state tourism website.

While it seems obvious to those who live here that downtown is indeed very arts-centric, the application process to secure certification was an extensive year-long effort by a community task force of local arts activists, cultural organizations, creative businesses and the DDA.

As Robbie Breaux, CCI council member and task force chairperson, explains, “We already had all the pieces in place, so it was easy to see that we were a Creative District, and the state certainly recognized that, and a lot of people worked hard to make it happen.”

Caitlyn Love, marketing and communications specialist for Downtown Grand Junction, points out, “Our being recognized as a Creative District puts the final stamp on downtown’s own unique identity. It opens doors with the state, and it’s been very helpful to be able to network with other districts.” There are plans in the works to increase the creative offerings throughout the district with additions like a new downtown coloring book (featuring several Art on the Corner sculptures) and proposed art, sculpture and murals along Seventh Street toward Los Colonias Park.

Coming up October 4-6 is the annual Downtown Art Festival, presented by Alpine Bank. This festival includes three days full of local and regional creatives and makers with First Friday (October 4), the Artist Expo (fine art vendors, demonstrations, street performances and entertainment) and the always-anticipated installation of the 2019-2020 Art on the Corner exhibit (October 5). New this year is the Grand Junction Film Festival, occurring on Sunday,

Local artists painted donated pianos that were installed throughout downtown for impromptu playing. The hand-print tile wall in the breezeway provides a colorful background.

October 6 at the Avalon Theatre. Downtown Grand Junction personifies the state’s desire to amplify hubs of cultural and economic activity and draw attention to the many communities throughout Colorado which are appealing places to live, visit and do business because of their creativity. :

Words by Carrington Schaeffer | Photo by Cat Mayer

Artist Brooks Powell

We experience art every day — maybe it’s a painting hanging in a gallery or a sculpture in a park. We may wonder how the artist created it or how long it took to make, but rarely do we get to watch the artist in his or her own environment working (and sometimes struggling) through the creative process.

Now, we can.

From October 11-13, the City of Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture is hosting the Grand Valley Open Studios Tour, during which 25 local artists will open their private art studios to the public for an exclusive inside look. The tour includes a variety of different media such as oil, acrylic, cold wax, glass-blowing, encaustic, batik, pottery and sculpture. No sign-up is required to participate, and the tour is free to all. Tour-goers can pick up a brochure from The Art Center, the Parks and Recreation office or download it online, and then visit any or all of the studios — many are located are the artists’ personal residences — from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. across the Grand Valley over the course of the three days.

Last year, the commission teamed up with Palisade Art Vision, the Fruita Arts & Culture Board and The Art Center to revive the tour, which had been created many years ago but had been discontinued. Having successfully re-launched the two-day tour last year, the commission added seven artists and expanded the tour to three days.

Lorie Gregor, staff liaison for the commission, believes attending events like this increases appreciation for artists’ time, energy and effort.

“The artists take people through their process of creating art. It’s not just looking at a picture on the wall,” says Gregor. “It’s really getting down into the nitty-gritty of what they’re creating and how they’re doing it. You’re experiencing the blood, sweat and tears, getting a feel of where the soul of creation comes from.”

The commission has designed the tour to help make the Grand Valley an arts destination. The second weekend in October is a particularly beautiful time of year in the Grand Valley, after summer festivities and local events have wound down. The tour also connects new and up-andcoming artists with seasoned, professional artists with the goal of nurturing our local creative community. In addition, the tour aims to connect art buyers with new art. “We want art to be sustainable for the artists,” says Gregor. “We want them do what they love and what they’re good at and be able to pay the bills.”

“Events like this are important. Art creates community. It creates connection. It brings people together. And it’s fun,” adds Gregor. “It brings out the best in people, and it inspires conversation and curiosity.” :

A summer Alpenglow concert held on the southeast side of the building

NEW + IMPROVED IN CRESTED BUTTE CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Words by Kim Fuller | Photo by Nathan Bilow/Center for the Arts

For all the great reasons to visit Crested Butte throughout the year, this mountain town has an exciting new upgrade that will appeal to curious and creative minds from all over the world.

For more than 20 years, Center for the Arts has been committed to providing arts and cultural experiences that inspire and entertain all audiences, whether they call Crested Butte home every day or just for the weekend.

A brand new $20 million Center has just emerged, becoming the finest facility of its kind on the Western Slope and offering education and entertainment in performing, visual, literary and culinary arts. The new building has space to accommodate a diverse and plentiful schedule.

This space is also home to the Crested Butte Film Festival and the Crested Butte Music Festival. Visitors young and old enjoy a yearround schedule of live music, dance and theater performances as well as art exhibits, speakers and much more.

The design of the new building is distinctive, playing upon the surrounding natural beauty and recalling Crested Butte’s unique history. Here is some more info on the exciting expansion: • The 6,350-square-foot theater can fit 305 seated and 405 standing. The new building offers unparalleled views and a floor-to-ceiling glass wall framing Paradise Divide and Gothic Mountain. • Along with a theater, the building also has multiple spaces like the Kinder-Padon Gallery that showcases individual and group art exhibits and installations as well as educational exhibits. In September, during a group show dubbed “Golden,” nine artists will exhibit art showcasing autumn’s splendor. In October, cast iron sculptors from around the country will gather at the annual Iron Pour event. • Unique art workshops include everything from paper marbling and needle felting to henna designs, printmaking and journaling. • The literary arts are represented by workshops tailored to adults and children. You can even learn Haibun, a Japanese literary form that pairs prose with haiku poetry. • A full lineup of exciting concerts is set to be on tap, with a big-name artist expected to perform a two-night set in December — keep your eyes open for the announcement. For information, visit crestedbuttearts.org. :