Art in the Heart of Ridgway
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he Ridgway Chautauqua Society (dba the Sherbino) and Weehawken Creative Arts took the first steps in building a formal collaborative staffing relationship back in 2013. “Essentially, we saw an opportunity to take two similar, but different organizations and find ways to share in efficiencies, reduce costs and increase areas of expertise for each organization,” explained Ashley King, Executive Director of the two organizations. “We took that idea to the Telluride Foundation and they helped us by offering up a consultant who worked with us and guided us through the notion and process of developing an agreement and a plan to enter into a shared-staffing arrangement.” In June of 2014, that sharedstaffing arrangement was launched into actuality. Although the two organizations work under one roof, their individual missions and finances have remained separate, as they always have been. Weehawken Creative Arts continues to serve its mission of providing high-quality arts education and personal growth programs for adults and youth year round in our region and also manages major cultural events such as the Annual Amateur
Sculpting Contest, the Ridgway Rendezvous Art and Crafts Festival, the Sneffels Fiber Arts Festival and the Annual Gingerbread House Decorating events. The Ridgway Chautauqua Society continues to own and operate the Sherbino and the 610 Arts Collective building, and serves its mission of embodying the Chautauqua tradition by producing programs that celebrate lifelong learning, the arts, culture and community. The five-year-old arrangement is unique, but it has proven useful for both organizations. “If you think about it, it’s really quite sensible. Both organizations need staff, but they are very small organizations and they have to be super-thrifty. Organizations this small are often lucky to even afford to the Sherbino. Weehawken greatly expanded its one full time person. And, if they can only make one-hire, theatre programming because of the shared staffing they would be hiring one person who would have to be an arrangement and also made a considerable expansion “expert” at everything for the organization. When you have of services to Montrose with a collaborative partnership to fill a role as the ‘everything guy’, you tend to wind-up in-place with the Montrose Recreation District. Now being less productive because you’re spending more time Weehawken and the RCS teams share an office space in making up for your weaknesses,” explained King. “But, the 610 Clinton space and collaboratively operate the when you have a talented programmer who understands galleries now known as the 610 Arts Collective. programming, if you let them focus on programming, then “I’ve had people ask me a few times if we have the programming will grow. In our case, we initially took merged.” noted King. “But the answer is a simple no. We three positions and split them down the middle - each are two passionate organizations, each working to build would work 50% for Sherbino and 50% for Weehawken. community through the arts with two separate boards, Though we have tweaked that a bit over the years, it was budgets, missions, FEINS, etcetera. We just share people, a really good starting point. Of course, the baseline for efficiencies, ideas and sometimes fundraising efforts. success is dedication for what we do; it starts first with a That’s good news for our supporters. It means we’re passion for the missions. Each member of the team plays to watching our dollars and focusing on smart and positive their strengths and has the mindset that they are working growth for each organization. for two separate organizations and missions. With clarity on each mission and vision, it’s easy for our team to move forward in the work.” said King. FOR MORE INFORMATION on either Weehawken Creative Positive growth has been the result. In Arts or the Ridgway Chautauqua Society/Sherbino, keep fact, each organization has had substantial reading! Or, see their websites at weehawkenarts.org or programmatic and audience growth sherbino.org. Regular announcements of programs, classes over the past five years. Over that time, and events are also made on their facebook pages as well as the RCS not only bought the Sherbino, but also acquired the 610 building next the Alpenglow Arts Alliance facebook page.
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What’s a Weehawken It’s Ouray County’s organizational arts gypsy
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or over 15 years, Weehawken Creative Arts (WCA) has been transforming the lives of adults and children through their arts education, dance program, and beloved community events. Weehawken (which has a local meaning of “eternal spring of life”) offers up arts and cultural classes to adults and children in the subjects of: fine arts, fiber arts, photography, craftsman arts, creative writing, culinary arts, horticulture & gardening, topics tied to the creative process, topics tied to personal growth, languages, music, theater, movement arts (including karate and mountain biking), the “business” of art, and of course: dance (including hip hop, ballet, tap, jazz and aerial). What might be most interesting about Weehawken Creative Arts is that as an organization, they are not married to any one community or any one building. Instead, they currently serve multiple communities including Ouray, Ridgway, Montrose and Silverton. Executive Director Ashley King explained, “We rent our spaces and have a full-time classroom space in Montrose and in Ridgway. Plus, we rent by the hour in Ouray, Silverton and Montrose and have ready access to the Sherbino in Ridgway for any collaborative programs.” She laughed and added, “In the early days, the office was based out of the founder, Susie Opdahl’s home in Ouray, then moved into my home in Ridgway. My little Rav4 has pretty much been a mobile supply closet covered in glitter for years. It’s only in recent years that we have actual supply closets… but that Rav4 will never be rid of the glitter. It’s a sparkly reminder that there’s freedom and magic in not being overly focused on bricks and mortar as a service-based non-profit.” King said, “I remember the early years of Weehawken when Natasha Pyeatte (Weehawken’s artistic director for the dance program) and I would dream about the future. We loved the notion that we could essentially serve as a mobile arts center, offering up programs and services
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throughout the region as-needed. The fact that we weren’t totally focused single location has allowed us to evolve to really realize that vision.” And realize that vision, they have. In fact, over the past year, WCA offered more than 370 classes that had over 2,800 enrollments “Montrose Field House”). For this space, Weehawken (adults and children). Sixty percent was selected as MRD’s exclusive fine arts and cultural of Weehawken’s class offerings are programing partner to offer language, dance, theater, geared towards youth. Programs creative writing, fine arts, craft arts, and more to were offered for 3,850 “days of use” recreation district users of all ages in the Apex and Omni to their four communities spanning Rooms of the space. a distance of 60 mountainous miles Lastly, Weehawken is the “parent” organization for the between communities. Alpenglow Arts Alliance effort and has coordinated and Even more amazingly, outside led meetings and managed finances and communications of classes, Weehawken is the for Alpenglow for over four years. This effort has organization that coordinates and organizes a multitude been essential to increasing inter-organizational of cherished community special events and programs communication and streamlining the messages that the each year including: Weehawken’s Ridgway Rendezvous organizations are giving the public. Arts and Crafts Festival, two full-scale ballets for “In a lot of ways, Weehawken is kind of this crazy Weehawken Dance (that feature over 275 students in eight-armed monster ,” said King. “On the surface, it’s each show), the Annual Gingerbread House Workshops in this tiny little organization with no building and supplies Montrose and Ouray County, Weehawken’s Sneffels Fiber stacked in the back of cars. But, in reality, Weehawken is Arts Festival in Ridgway, Weehawken’s Annual Amateur behind many of the community’s favorite performances Sculpting Contest in honor of Michael McCullough in and special events and movements. It’s an organization Ridgway, and over six children’s theatre productions that has grown carefully over it’s fifteen years of (with several public performances for each) annually in existence, but has enjoyed it’s non-traditional evolution the four communities. every step of the way. Weehawken has had an undeniable A focus on achievement and growth through impact on our community and I couldn’t be more proud of collaboration: Weehawken believes so much in what this team has helped to grow.” collaboration that they actually have included A parent in the Weehawken program shared, “In an collaboration and leadership in their mission. age of ever-increasing isolation among our nation's A serious movement has been afoot over the past youth, Weehawken stands as a beacon of light to bring five years to cooperate in the areas of event children and families closer to one another. planning, scheduling, marketing, coordination, Stretching across several counties and rural and even staffing. Willing to lead, Weehawken communities, they give children and adults a and the Ridgway Chautauqua Society took first class fine arts experience encompassing the spirit of collaboration a step further and theater, art, dance, poetry, music, and more. entered into an Agreement for Collaboration, Rural communities are formed by a colorful Cooperation & Cost Sharing (MOU) in June patchwork of personalities and skillsets. of 2014. Having completed nearly five years Weehawken consistently celebrates that fact successfully, the two organizations now share through their course offerings and productions, a staff (a shared executive director, programs making sure everyone who has a desire to director, theatre director and site coordinator.) participate is given the opportunity to do so. Further, they now share office space, This is an organization that deeply richens the gallery space and systems, are developing lives of not only those who participate, but also mutually beneficial programming, and are those of entire communities.” taking advantage of economies-of-scale efficiencies wherever possible. In 2017, Weehawken also entered into TO LEARN MORE about Weehawken Creative Arts, a collaborative relationship with the visit www.weehawkenarts.com or facebook.com/ Montrose Rec District where Weehawken weehawkenarts or stop by the 610 Arts Collective building has activated the old Rec Center space in Ridgway and say hello. (commonly referred to now as the
Programming at heart of Ridgway Chautauqua
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idgway Chautauqua Society (RCS) has actively been developing programs in the Sherbino since it re-opened in early 2012. Starting primarily with the presentation of live music, the programming has evolved to follow the Chautauqua mission and has broadened considerably. “What’s most-notable about the RCS, is that we are actively programming our spaces, not just renting-out a venue,” said Programming Director Trisha Oakland. “While many organizations around the state primarily survive through rentals, RCS is surviving through programming.” Oakland added, “Our primary function is to program to our Mission. Our small but mighty team identifies programmatic concepts and priorities for a year and then develops programs in-house to meet those goals to serve our community. Because we are relatively young and got to establish our path in our early years, we have gotten the unique gift of arts and culture curation, rather than just offering a venue. We love offering up our space for other community groups and we do it fairly often, but rentals are far-outnumbered by in-house productions that serve our mission.” Today, regular programs of the Ridgway Chautauqua Society include: a monthly lecture series highlighting presenters on a wide variety of topics, regular film
presentations, a regular poetry series which highlights a featured/accomplished poet followed by open poetry were activated for 165 public performances or shows. readings, at least twice-monthly live music events These programs included: 35 music events, 11 trivia featuring regional and national-touring musicians, a nights, 15 lectures and talks, 35 film presentations, 45 monthly "art bar" where users come into the space theatre-related presentations and many meetings and for two hours to create a masterpiece with a qualified classes. instructor, a monthly trivia night, a space for performing In total, over 11,450 people came through the Ridgway arts education in partnership with Weehawken Creative Chautauqua Society’s doors in 2018 and of those, Arts, a quarterly "Ignite!" series, a summertime “Travel over 1,200 were volunteers at programs. And already, Talks” Series, a beautiful dedicated space for monthly numbers are showing growth for 2019 as 2018 saw a oneart exhibitions as well as a gallery shop space, a stage month closure for renovations. for touring and regional theatrical productions, a space “It’s pretty magical, really,” said Executive Director for community rentals and a stage and rehearsal space Ashley King. “The RCS has a board and staff with for RCS’s very own community theatre group, “Sherbino a passion for programs that actively cultivate an Theatre Company” (which currently offers over six appreciation for arts, culture, and lifelong learning in productions annually!). Ridgway, and hopefully, in life. But more than that, they Over the course of 2018, the Ridgway Chautauqua experience and build community here.” Society activated the Sherbino and the 610 Arts Collective spaces for at total of 373 use days, of which only fifteen uses were simple THERE’S ALMOST ALWAYS something happening at the non-partnered rentals. And, among the use 373 use days, 105 days of use were through Sherb. If you’re interested in checking it out, visit their formal collaborative relationships between website at www.sherbino.org, or their facebook page at RCS and another local organization. facebook.com/sherbinotheater or just stop by 610 Clinton More impressive is that RCS’s spaces Street in Ridgway and say hi.
R C S M E E T S R E N O VAT I O N , A C Q U I S I T I O N G O A L S The Ridgway Chautauqua Society (dba The Sherbino) has announced the completion of several major goals. In late 2017 RCS took out a loan to purchase the property at 610 Clinton Street. In March of 2018, RCS, along with its sister organization Weehawken, relocated its administrative offices and box offices into the new
building. Thanks to generous donations from individuals Collective which now showcases local and national artists. and groups in Ouray County, the extensive renovation of Even more impressive is the fact that in 2018, RCS did the Sherbino was completed and the loan for purchasing all of this work while operating and offering over 165 the 610 Clinton Street building (next door to the programs for the community. Sherbino) was entirely paid off. In the early days of January 2019, RCS completed “The Ridgway Chautauqua Society is extremely their “Phase 3” project by making the final payments grateful for the generosity of our community and for their on the 610 Clinton Street property next door to the ongoing support of programming at the Sherbino and the Sherbino. Both buildings are now fully owned (without a new 610 Art Collective,” said Board President Sue Husch. mortgage) by RCS. In May of 2018 the RCS completed “Phase 2” of their Currently, a master plan to develop the design for capital campaign plan which included a completely integrating and ultimately connecting the 610 Clinton renovated interior of the Sherbino building. These Street property with the Sherbino is underway. Once this improvements addressed not only major aesthetic plan has been finalized and approved, a capital campaign concerns but also added sound attenuation, electrical to fund additional work will be initiated. revisions, a completely new heating and cooling system, The Ridgway Chautauqua Society’s mission is to a major lighting and LED upgrade as well as refreshed embody the Chautauqua tradition by producing programs and repainted fronts of both the Sherbino and the 610 celebrating lifelong learning, the arts, culture and Clinton building. RCS separately fundraised for, initiated community. Its vision is to exemplify both innovation and completed an entirely new roof on the Sherbino in and history in vibrant community gathering places while conjunction with their neighbors in the condominiumized advancing the creative and economic vitality of the region. Sherbino Historic building during the internal renovations of Phase 2. In June 2018 RCS in partnership with THE RIDGWAY CHAUTAUQUA SOCIETY is a 501(c)3 Weehawken debuted a visual arts exhibition organization and was incorporated in 2012. More space and gallery called the 610 Arts information can be found at www.sherbino.org. 2019 W E E H A W K E N A R T S & S H E R B I N O |
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C A L L I N G A L L A M AT E U R S C U L P T O R S ! June 9 contest features cash prizes Amateur sculptors from across the Western Slope of Colorado have a shot at winning big-time prize money by participating in Michael McCullough's Seventh Annual Amateur Sculpting Contest in Ridgway on June 9. Weehawken Creative Arts, John Billings and Sculpture House have teamed up to present this incredible community event at the Historic Sherbino and its neighboring building, 610 Arts Collective. This community-beloved event, now in its seventh year, is dedicated to the memory of longtime resident artist Michael McCullough. McCullough sculpted 10 commissioned representational monumental bronze statues for the people of Ouray, Telluride, Ridgway, Montrose and Grand Junction. Ouray’s San Juan Miner statue is perhaps the most iconic local landmark shaped
by human rather than geological forces. The sculpture determine the winners and award cash prizes. is the focal point of the Ouray Miners’ Memorial at McCullough's hope was that the prize money would the entrance of the Hot Springs Pool. “Life-and-amotivate amateurs across the region “who want an half size,” in McCullough’s words, the statue is 9 feet opportunity to get out there and take a chance on tall, not including the rock pedestal and drill steel. His making five hundred bucks.” (See prize list below.) bronze likeness of Walter Walker, with son Preston on “The only people who aren’t allowed to compete his shoulders, stands prominently on Main Street in are those who sculpt with clay professionally,” said downtown Grand Junction. McCullough when setting the parameters of the contest. McCullough’s ability to capture athletic grace in Participants will be provided a pack of sculpting tools, motion appears in his kinetic statue of the late free-rider, compliments of Sculpture House. Participants may also Hoot Brown, at the top of Telluride’s terrain park. Three bring one additional tool from home if they wish (No more of his monumental bronze statues — a female armatures allowed in this contest though!). McCullough’s skier, a snowboarder and a hand-steel miner — reside favorite tool was his fingers! in Mountain Village Plaza. His red fox sculpture, which Registration for adults costs $30 in advance through resides in Ridgway, won the People's Choice Award as Weehawken or $35 (day of the event). Youth are invited part of Montrose’s Public Art eXperience (PAX). Michael to participate for a $15 fee in advance ($20 the day of owned and lived in Ridgway's historic firehouse on North the event). Lena Street. Outside the firehouse stands his flying Artist Check-in will run from 12:30 until 1 p.m. at the eagle, a landmark sculpture for locals and visitors alike, Sherbino at 604 Clinton St. The contest will run from 1 comprised of 120 welded pieces. p.m. until 3 p.m. for adults at Sherbino and 1 p.m. until “Sculpting is the most primal form of art,” McCullough 2:30 p.m. for youth at 610 Arts Collective (next door at pointed out years ago. “Moving mud around or stacking 610 Clinton St.). The public is welcome to silently observe rocks in an aesthetically pleasing way was probably the during the 2 hour creation period. Refreshments and first form of fine art that humans experimented with. treats will be served outside during the entire event I don’t know of anyone who hasn’t made a mud pie or and people will be encouraged to play with multiple clay stacked blocks. It’s what we do every day – taking threematerials at "play stations.” There will be a one-hour dimensional objects and assembling them in deliberately break for judging, followed by an awards ceremony pleasing or unpleasing ways.” reception, starting at 4:00 p.m. For this contest, participants will have two hours to sculpt 2 1/2 to 5 pounds of clay (youth under 13 get 2.5 pounds and ONLINE REGISTRATION at www.weehawkenarts.org/ adults get 5 pounds). special-events or in-person at the 610 Arts Collective A panel of professional artists will then (610 Clinton Street, Ridgway).
What on earth is a Chautauqua? CHAUTAUQUA refers to any of the various traveling shows and local assemblies that flourished in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They provided popular education combined with entertainment in the form of lectures, concerts and plays, and were modeled after activities at the Chautauqua Institution of western New York. “Chautauqua” is an Iroquois word with a few meanings: "Big Tent"; when the Chautauqua came to your town in the 19th century it really meant the "big tent" would be arriving; or “two moccasins tied together,” and describes the shape of Chautauqua Lake, located in southwest New York. Chautauqua became shorthand for an organized gathering intended to introduce people to the great ideas, new ideas and issues of public concern. Former President Theodore Roosevelt was quoted as saying that Chautauqua was “the most American thing in America.” After 1900, the “circuit chautauqua” became the principle expression of the movement. The independent assemblies were somewhat wary of these traveling, tented chautauquas. Still, at the height of the Chautauqua Movement, about 1915, some 12,000 communities had hosted a chautauqua. Many of the lecturers and performers were contracted by chautauqua agencies–the most notable was the Redpath Agency in
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Iowa–and the quality of the offerings varied from Vassareducated lecturers and Shakespeare to animal acts and vaudeville farce. The movement pretty much died out by the mid-1930s. Most historians cite the rise of the car culture, radio, and movies as the causes. There were several other important, yet subtle, reasons for the decline. One was the sharp increase in fundamentalism and evangelical Christianity in the 20s; the bland non-denominationalism exhibited at most chautauquas couldn’t accommodate these impulses. Many small independent chautauquas became the past are being resurrected. Learn more about all the essentially camp meetings or church camps. Another– living chautauqua communities and assemblies currently seemingly contradictory influence–was the rise of the in operation at www.chautauquatrail.com. liberated, educated woman. Chautauquas functioned for The Ridgway Chautauqua Society is a member of many lower- and middle-class women much as the elite the National Chautauqua Trail organization and has women’s colleges did for upper-class women. They were a working relationship with the Colorado Humanities training grounds from which women could launch “real” group out of Grand Junction as well as the CU Outreach careers. When professional and educational opportunities program in Boulder. RCS especially takes pride in the increased, interest in chautauquas dwindled. Finally, fact that our Chautauqua programming is curated and the Depression itself made chautauquas economically implemented almost entirely by our staff and board impossible for organizers and audiences. teams, rather than by renting organizations. Today, chautauqua is experiencing a renaissance. People are discovering that lifelong learning is one of the keys to living a happy, fulfilling TO LEARN MORE about the Ridgway Chautauqua life. Throughout North America existing Society, please visit www.sherbino.org. chautauquas are thriving and ones from
New community arts exhibition space launches The 610 Arts Collective is the result of two passionate arts organizations working together to create a shared vision of bring arts, enrichment, and Chautauqua style learning to the Ridgway area.
610, as folks commonly in visual art. This unusual combination of interests has call it, is the shared had a profound influence on Brazee’s work, keeping it office space of Ridgway suspended somewhere between recognizable reality Chautauqua Society (The and imaginary narrative. Sherbino) and Weehawken In July, local photographer Gary Ratcliff will be Creative Arts. These exhibiting his work, “Four Seasons: Landscape and sister organizations, while Wildlife Images of the San Juan Mountains” with separate in status and an artist reception on July 14 from 6:10-9:00 p.m. mission, collaborate to offer A resident of Ridgway, Gary Ratcliff photographs a range of programs at the iconic settings in the San Juan mountains and seeks theater, the 610 space and out seldom-visited locations following game trails in other local spaces. 610 is the summer and snowshoeing in the winter. He uses also an exhibition space for precision camera equipment to produce large prints local and visiting artists, on a variety media including canvas, paper, acrylic and and a classroom space for metal. His work has been published in regional visitor programs. guides and received awards at the Ouray County Arts 610 has had a successful Association Art Show. year of exhibitions The summer months will finish-out with an in a number of exhibition from Leslie Plimpton. Leslie says mediums, of her exhibition, “The subject of my work including a black and white photography is fashion, looking at fashion from the from Jeff Michalek, who blended the perspective of fashion as art, fashion wet plate processes of the 1850s and models, fashion designers, vintage the Rawlins Oil Printing process of and period fashion, and how fashion the early 1900s and an impressive shows up in our daily lives and values. art quilt exhibition by Bonnie I have been showing my work in the Bucknam. The 610 Open (an open Southern California area for the last exhibition for regional artists) was 10 years with a printmaking group wonderfully impressive and fun to visit called “the inkspots” as well as being a this past spring, with well over 50 artists member of the Santa Barbara Printmakers participating. and the Buenaventura Arts Association. My In June, Tammi Brazee will be exhibiting work is also juried into many juried competitions her body of work “We Want Our View and Eat It Too,” through the year. My work has won awards and is with an open house during “First Fridays” on June 7th collected by people across the country. My techniques from 5-9 p.m. Brazee says of the exhibition, “In this in printmaking focus primarily on dry point etching, series, I explore tourism in America. I investigate the monotype and linocut.” Leslie’s exhibition reception roads we build, the parks we set aside, the objects we will be held on August 4th from 6:10-9:00 pm. purchase, and the activities in which we participate. To compliment Weehawken’s Annual Sneffels We simultaneously want a world filled with beautiful Fiber Arts Festival, the September exhibition will be landscapes and a lifestyle with high rates of natural another showcase by Ridgway artist, Tammi Brazee resource consumption. Unfortunately, this cripples with her exhibit: “Domesticates”. This series explores precious ecosystems, which by association destroys the influence of relationships, especially the close, the beautiful view. We want the best of both worlds; domestic bonds of family and friends where the colors we want our view and to eat it too. My work satirically and patterns of our daily existence imprint themselves explores this paradox and the tension that exists when onto us, forming the person we become and how we a society tries to reconcile competing desires.” view the world. While the hint of a Yankee accent reveals Maryland roots, Colorado has OPENING RECEPTION for “Four Seasons” will be held been Tammi Brazee’s home for nearly on July 14 at the 610 Arts Collective and run through two decades. She is professional, the month of July. The 610 Arts Collective will also be working artist and science geek, participating in First Fridays Ridgway, running June holding two graduate degrees, one in through September. environmental science and the other
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Why Support Weehawken?
The people behind Weehawken Creative Arts
Testimony from a Weehawken Family We have witnessed our children blossom in unforeseen ways because of the experiences they have had through Weehawken Creative Arts. They've gained self confidence; self-awareness; a burgeoning love for classic works of literature; an ever-expanding knowledge of theater, dance, and functional movement; and have developed friendships with children with whom they'd otherwise not have had the opportunity to do so. Bridging the distance between rural communities is a particular strength of Weehawken Creative Arts. The instructors are skilled and genuine in their love for art and for their communities. Folks will happily drive long distances, in oftentimes-dangerous road conditions, to ensure their children (or they themselves) can participate in the many dynamic offerings of this structured, inclusive, and creative organization. In an age of ever-increasing isolation among our nation's
T H E W C A S TA F F T E A M Ashley King half-time/split executive director Natasha Pyeatte full-time artistic
youth, Weehawken stands as a beacon of light to bring children and families closer to one another. Stretching across several counties and rural communities, they give children and adults a first class fine arts experience encompassing theater, art, dance, poetry, music, and more. One of the aspects we most appreciate about this organization is their inclusive mission, welcoming folks from all socioeconomic statuses, genders, races, and skill levels. Rural communities are formed by a colorful patchwork of personalities and skillsets. We have seen Weehawken consistently celebrate that fact through their course offerings and productions, making sure everyone who has a desire to participate is given the opportunity to do so. This is an organization that deeply richens the lives of not only those who participate, but also those of entire communities.” ~ Ashley and Patrick Unverferth, Ouray, CO
director for weehawken dance
Trisha Oakland half-time/split
programming director
Kathleen O’Mara
split (40%) artistic director for theatre
Ryan Sergent
hourly (quarter time) site coordinator
Over 30 additional contract instructors for creative arts classes our karate teacher
D I D YO U K N O W ?
Burkhard Feierabend
WEEHAWKEN has a needs-based scholarship program for youth? Weehawken generally awards scholarships to students in-need, based on the funding available for these scholarships. Our goal in 2019 is to increase public support for our scholarship fund Weehawken offers world-class programs with top-notch instructors right here in Ouray County and these programs serve youth of all ages. The funding of scholarships would allow the increased participation of students, deepening and broadening our reach and impact, as it would help to minimize or remove the primary barrier to our programs: price. Scholarships help to ensure that those who want to participate, can. We aim to turn no desirous student away. Low-income students who are highly engaged in the arts are twice as likely to graduate college as their peers with no arts education. (Americans for the Arts) Students with high arts participation and low socioeconomic status have a 4 percent dropout rate—five times lower than their low socioeconomic status peers. (Americans for the Arts) Many of our dance students make it into the Juilliard and Colorado Ballet summer programs, which is a testament to the
YE S
Enclosed is my check*, made payable to WCA for: 5,000
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2,500
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1,000
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750
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$ $ $ $
250 100 50 25
Other:
I’d like to help as a volunteer for Weehawken! I could help with: Performances Cultural Events/Special Events I’m interested in joining the Board Help “Sit” the Gallery (set weekly hours) Cleaning & Organizing Hanging Posters and Running Errands
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NAME
Pang Cooper, Melissa Demuth, Angela Ferrelli, Valerie Kepler, Kendra Manley, Rachel Maier, Natasha Pyeatte, LeeAnn Rackleff, Caroline Richardson Delana Willsie-Poteet THE WCA BOARD TEAM Marti O’Leary president
Faith Parry
vice president
Sandy Kern treasurer
Lissette Riviere secretary
James Bingham Katie Link Christine Stephenson
I WA N T TO S U P PO R T A L L T H AT WE E H AWK E N C R E AT IVE A R T S I S D O I N G FO R O U R R EG I O N ! To make a contribution by credit card (You can also donate online by visiting https://weehawkenarts.org/support)
NAME ON CARD MAILING ADDRESS CARD NUMBER EXPIRATION DATE
CVC CODE
Apply my tax-deductible donation to: Weehawken Youth Needs-Based Give Every Month Member Scholarship Program (easiest to do online at https:// weehawkenarts.org/support ) Weehawken Adult Needs-Based Scholarship Program Business Sponsorship with advertising benefits (minimum Become a Member (Members giving $250 and goes up to $5,000) at $150+ will get 2 tickets (for every $150 contributed) to an event of General Operating Support their choice! I’d like to help underwrite a specific program! Please apply my donation of: AMOUNT
AMOUNT
MAIL TO:
WEEHAWKEN CREATIVE ARTS PO BOX 734 RIDGWAY, CO 81432
our dance teachers
quality of program and instruction our students are getting here in Ouray County. Our programs run during the school semesters and also serve families and students during the summer months. Weehawken’s big dance shows rarely generate a profit. Despite what it might look like on the surface, Weehawken’s big dance productions have major expenses. Remember: to keep the program affordable to families, WCA owns and stores all of the costumes (think storage units, storage containers, maintenance and alteration of costumes at each semester, etc!). The most-recent dance production had over 440 costumes in the production! To accommodate our large program, Weehawken must rentout the entire Montrose Pavilion for five days. It’s expensive to take a community facility offline for a week. Though we offer many wonderful cultural events to the community as a fundraising effort, the reality is that these events are expensive! Fundraising through special/cultural events (4 major fundraiser events) netted a total profit of $30,200 in 2018, covering 7.5 percent of the total expense budget.
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TOWARD
Yes, sign me up for the Alpenglow Arts Alliance Monday morning email for info on happenings at the Weehawken Creative Arts and on upcoming arts events of other arts organizations in Ouray and Montrose counties.
The People behind the Ridgway Chautauqua Society T H E R C S S TA F F T E A M Ashley King half-time/split
Did You Know?
Ridgway Chautauqua Society/Sherbino
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id you know that when you pay admission, buy a ticket to an event, or buy a drink at the Sherbino, it pays for just 73 percent of the direct cost of that program? This doesn’t include the cost of operating the facility! For most programs, ticket revenue or door admission supports payment of the artist, which is an important thing to support! However, ticket revenue rarely contributes to paying any other bills at the Sherbino. It costs a lot to run two historic facilities! Even though both buildings are now paid-for, RCS’s facility-related expenses alone account for $53,000+ annually. The base operating cost for activating the building for any public event (not including staffing costs or direct costs of the
executive director
Trisha Oakland half-time/split
programming director
Kathleen O’Mara
split artistic director for theatre
Ryan Sergent
hourly (part time) tech director/bar manager
Chris Cantrell, Chris Andrews & Haley Niven bartenders (by the hour)
actual program) averages out to $249/event (based on 2018 numbers) Membership support is crucial to helping cover the costs operating the facilities. In 2018, membership support helped cover 15 percent of RCS’ operating costs. Donations to RCS/Sherbino (individuals, grants and businesses) are critical to our survival (either restricted or unrestricted)! These contributions accounted for 37% of our operations income in 2018. Fundraisers are also crucial to our survival. In 2018, fundraisers helped pay for $36,000 of expenses (15 percent of budget) 73 percent of RCS’ expenses are directly tied to programs. Nearly all of the remaining expenses are tied to facilities and facility-related projects.
one contract cleaning person (once-weekly)
CO N S I D E R MAK I N G A M O N T H LY CO N T R I BU T I O N
THE RCS BOARD TEAM Sue Husch president
Sheelagh Williams vice president
Patrick O’Leary treasurer
Allison Gelvin secretary
Robb Austin Guthrie Castle John Clark Ken Mihelich Gary Ratcliff
YE S
5,000
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2,500
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1,000
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750
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It’s green. Your support goes even further by saving on postage, paper, and administrative costs. Plus, you help ensure a steady, reliable income source for the Sherbino.
It’s affordable. Spreading membership dues throughout the year is easier on your budget.
Simplify your support and become a Monthly member today! Head to www.sherbino. org/support and set up your monthly gift online!
I WA N T TO S U P PO R T A L L T H AT R I D G WAY C H AU TAU Q UA S O C I E T Y/ S H E R B I N O I S D O I N G FO R MY CO M M U N I T Y ! To make a contribution by credit card (You can also donate online by visiting https://sherbino.org/contribute)
Enclosed is my check*, made payable to Ridgway Chautauqua Society for: $
It’s simple. Automatic monthly payments from your credit card or bank account mean ongoing membership privileges and support until you make a change.
250
$
100
$
50 25
NAME ON CARD MAILING ADDRESS
Other: *The Sherbino is part of a Colorado Enterprise Zone. Cash donations of $250 or more may be eligible for a 25% tax credit on donor’s Colorado State Income Tax Return.
CARD NUMBER EXPIRATION DATE
CVC CODE
Apply my tax-deductible donation to: A Sherbino Membership Please restrict my gift to: A Full-on donation towards Operations and Programs A Current Building Improvement Project 610 Courtyard Drainage Heating and cooling improvements at the 610 building port I’d like to help underwrite a specific program! Please apply my donation of: AMOUNT
AMOUNT
TOWARD
MAIL TO:
RIDGWAY CHAUTAUQUA SOCIETY PO BOX 236 RIDGWAY, CO 81432
NAME
MAILING ADDRESS
PHONE
CITY EMAIL
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ZIP CODE
Yes, sign me up for the Alpenglow Arts Alliance Monday morning email for info on happenings at the Sherbino and on upcoming arts events of other arts organizations in Ouray and Montrose counties.
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Ranching history comes to life in fundraising book
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n the winter of 2018, Sherbino collaborated with Vince Kontny and Joseph Sohm in the production of the book “Ranching Traditions of the San Juans”. This coffee table book features stunning photographs of the Ouray County ranches, specifically Last Dollar Ranch and Centennial Ranch. This book was created from the desire to showcase the history of ranching in the community as well as to create an awareness of its prevalence in modern times. Vince and Joe both wanted to highlight the importance of ranching and of the open space it conserves. “The members of the Ridgway Chautauqua Society (Sherbino) share their focus of preservation and history, and were excited to be a part of the book,” said RCS Board Treasurer Patrick O’Leary. The Sherbino was established in 1915 and still stands today as a
piece of living history and heritage. Ridgway Chautauqua Society has worked diligently to preserve the theater as a piece of the community in which to honor the past while building the future. It could be said that this book is a key component to illuminating both of those missions. Ranching is a large part of what built Ridgway his conservation efforts and the and now in present times, ranching legacy he has created through the contribution preserves those traditions as well of his lands to preservation, and hope this book brings to as the open space and lands it light the greatness that these ranches contain, and our encompasses. desire is that more can and will be done in his footsteps “The Sherbino and Ridgway to guarantee that the wild and untamed beauty that has Chautauqua Society value the brought us all to this valley remains for generations to work Vince Kontny has put into come,” said Director of Programming Trisha Oakland. preserving both the heritage and the land itself. We ourselves “RANCHING TRADITIONS OF THE SAN JUANS” is know the true value available for purchase at the 610 Arts Collective (610 of our vistas, our Clinton St.) in Ridgway for $45 per book, and all sales go to open space, and how the Ridgway Chautauqua Society. Call 970-318-0892 for important it is to more information or stop the gallery to see and purchase keeping Ridgway true to itself. We applaud one on-site.
L A U G H Y O U R W AY T H R O U G H I M P R O V C O M E D Y T H E AT E R I N J U L Y ON JULY 1 AND 2, Chicago’s legendary sketch and improv comedy theater will come to the area - with one performance in Montrose and two performances in Ridgway of “The Best of The Second City.” This must-see show features the best sketches and songs from The Second City’s history made famous by superstars like Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray and more--as well as their trademark improvisation. Audience members can come see where it all began during this special single night engagement. Fresh, fast and always spectacularly funny, The Second City is celebrating nearly 60 years of producing cutting-edge satirical revues and launching the careers of generation after generation of comedy’s best and brightest. Two shows will be offered on July 2nd, one at 6 p.m. and one at 9 p.m. The Sherbino is a small, intimate venue with limited seating. Tickets range $30-$40 in advance and there is also an option of reserving a front row table for up to 4 people. Second City on Tour will also be presented on July 1st at Montrose Pavilion for one 7 p.m. performance. These tickets range $25-$35 in advance. Tickets can be purchased online at www.sherbino.org.
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Summer brings full menu of creative programs
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n June, visiting instructor Kevin Gallacher will offer a one week dance intensive class for upper level dancers on June 10-13. Kevin will also offer a hip hop breakdancing class during that week. Kevin is a thriving choreographer whose original works, “Quantum” and “Quantum Luminous,” have received national and international recognition and honors. He is a member of the SAFD training in stage combat and stunts for film and television. Weehawken’s year round instructor Caroline Richardson will offer 3 day creative dance workshops for teens and adults in June as well. In July, the Weehawken Royal Actors youth theatre program begins with a three-week workshop of “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe”. This workshop will culminate with performances at Sherbino Theater in Ridgway, and is open to ages 7 and up. Weehawken has grown its theatre program over the last few years with the addition of staff member Kathleen O’Mara, a teaching artist, producer and director of performing arts since 1992. Known for being dedicated to innovative quality staged productions, Kathleen has worked with thousands of students across the nation on hundreds of performance pieces. Historical content performance pieces, student original works, Musical Theatre, Shakespeare, Film
Making, Animation and Classic Dramatic works, are all based on a background in Educational Theatre Arts, and experience. Kathleen is equally comfortable with small or large casts, novice or experienced actors of all ages. Kathleen's programming talents and curriculum create a strong platform for fast-paced, processoriented work that ties together structure and organizational skills of teaching with freedoms of ambitious thought provoking projects. Influenced by the talent and training of the interpersonal acting, transpersonal acting as well as ensemble group theatre directors of the 1950s, Kathleen strives towards a product that tells a story, creating pictures and moments within the scene work. A knack for a creative eye and accomplishing visually stunning pictures of character and costume as well as commitment to ensemble process and the importance of warm ups, theatre games, and sense of community, has led her to a career of quality productions in a myriad of artistic, expressive, academic and inspiring work.
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There’s something for adults too at Weehawken Starting in June, Weehawken has a great variety of art offerings for adults, including numerous visiting instructor workshops.
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n August 2-4, Claudia Hartley of Sedona, Arizona, offers a three-day acrylic painting workshop, “Modernize Your Paintings and Fall in Love With Acrylics.” Hartley says, “Paint ‘outside the box’ by learning to abstract, finding positive and negative shapes, exaggerating color, and experimenting. You will use my photos of scenes (8x10) the first day. After that it will be your choice: paint a still life, flowers, room interior, work from life, use a sketch. No realism! Many complete an entire painting the first day, getting more experimental each day. I will encourage you to dare to make the grass pink, or the sky red. (the sky is the limit). You will have plenty of individual instruction for all levels of skill.” Hartley says “The comment I hear most often about my paintings is “happy.” I’ve loved art all of my life and it warms my heart to know that I’m able to pass that love and joy on to others. I use color and shape to capture the wonders of the world around me. My love affair with art began as a child, when my favorite present was a new box of Crayola crayons. Later my fascination with art was nurtured during my studies at The University of Georgia, where I acquired a BFA degree in painting and drawing in 1963. I painted mostly scenes because it gave me an excuse to travel a 5 month road trip USA, and in Iceland, Ireland, Switzerland, France, Canada, etc. My work and my vacation are one and the same.” In September, renowned photographer Michael E.
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Gordon returns to Ridgway for a weekend workshop “Landscape and Nature Photography: Concept, Capture, Process”.Michael E. Gordon is an award-winning fine art landscape photographer best known for his black and white Desert images which, says Broughton Quarterly, portray “stunning ethereal beauty from terrain where others see only a bleak landscape.” A lifelong student of nature and wilderness, Michael’s intimate relationship with the natural world results in quiet images of depth and discovery. “Nature and landscape photography transcends ‘pretty postcards’ when made by creatively engaged photographers who understand their motivations, subjects, and tools. My goal is to provide you with the inspiration, knowledge, and hands-on learning to help advance your creativity and photography skills with an emphasis on nature and landscape photography. This workshop is suitable for all experience levels and offers a unique blend of philosophy, field work, and classroom instruction in beautiful settings. We'll cover photographic fundamentals; precision exposure and capture; image aesthetics; special tips and techniques; and conclude with an overview of post-processing basics using both Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop,”says Gordon. October offers a mixed media workshop with Lauren Mantecon, who has become a “local favorite” among our visiting instructors. Her weekend workshop “The Alchemy of Mixed Media” on October 12 -13. “Together in a relaxed environment we will work from the ground up with many options to play and explore with. Dry, wet, mark making- hand made gesso, joint compound, mediums, acrylic paint, oil sticks, cold wax. There is not a formula or a linear procession, but there are a few tricks and guidelines along the way to quickly enhance the development of your authentic. Discussions on the philosophical and personal relationship to your working process will all be part of the workshop interplay. Risk
taking is encouraged,” describes Mantecon, “I have been a painter for over twenty years. Within that time I have incorporated a variety of materials into my art practice. Some years one technique might dominate another- but I do seem to work best when I have more than one material or texture in dialogue with another on the surfaces I choose to use.” Lauren Mantecon has been a practicing visual artist and educator for over twenty years Currently living in Santa Fe, she is a former professor of art from the University of Portland, Oregon and teaches workshops on the creative process throughout the country. She is currently represented by Friesen Gallery, Ketchum, Idaho; Muse Gallery, Columbus, Ohio, and Hilton Head, South Carolina; and Imogen Gallery in Astoria, Oregon. In addition to visiting instructors, Weehawken offers monthly ARTbar evenings with local instructor Anne Hockenberry the third Tuesday of the month. You’ll receive step-by-step instructions to create this acrylic painting on a 16-inch-by-20-inch canvas. At Weehawken and Sherbino's ARTbar we strive to provide a positive, creative outlet in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Our hope is to inspire the community to discover their imaginative side and cross the bar into other dimensions of creativity. The classes we offer require no experience (and of course, liquid inspiration will also be available!). Open your door to creativity and give it a shot! $35 includes instruction, all materials, a drink and you'll go home with your very own masterpiece! Anne is an artist in Montrose. She specializes in creating watercolor art on cards, birds and landscape art on canvas, and her new favorite - custom pet, house, and wedding bouquet portraits. Anne has a vision for sharing the beauty in life with those around her. Anne is a selftaught artist who grew up painting and drawing and has always loved art. She worked as a teacher for 10 years, but has always developed her love of art and painting. In 2016, she opened a shop on Etsy and began pursuing art full-time. Anne moved to Montrose from Wyoming in 2018 with her husband. They enjoy hiking and biking in the beautiful western wilderness. Anne's hope is to create art that inspires other to see the beauty in life and guide others in finding their inner artist.
The History of Ridgway’s historic Sherbino building
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he town of Ridgway was incorporated in 1890. It’s interesting to note that the Sherbino/ Cherbeneau/Charbonneau family were part of Ridgway, and their local legacy – The Sherbino – still plays a major role in downtown Ridgway today. In 1877, Louis Sherbino purchased several lots in downtown Ridgway from Samuel Wade. Louis, who was born in Canada but was working in the timber mills in Michigan, moved to Lake City, then Rico, then Colona and finally Ridgway in the late 1800’s. On May 21, 1915, rumors that had been circulating were confirmed as Louis presented an application to the town for permission to erect a “pressed brick veneered building” on Clinton Street and a 6-foot sidewalk along the Cora Street side. The building turned out to be a theater designed by Gus Kullerstrand of Ouray and it opened to much fanfare on Saturday, September 11, 1915. The newspaper coverage from September 17th says, “Close to 400 people took in the event, all parts of the country being represented by a goodly number of persons. The lineup of rigs and automobiles in front of the building gave the town a citified look.” The article went on to mention there was seating for 300, running hot and cold water, and toilets! What is now the Colorado Boy Brewery
was part of the theater at the time, accounting for the amount of space for seating. The Sherbino family served as the post office, a drug store, and the Colorado ran the theater for less than a year as another local built a Yurt Company headquarters. The building interior “motion picture business” and most people went there. underwent major renovations in the 1970s and again in The Sherbino building went on to be used as a the early 1990s. In August of 1991 the Sherbino received community center. Local residents gathered there in designation on the Colorado State Register of Historic 1917 to learn that the U.S. had entered WWI. In 1924, Places. many local residents who had come into the region With the support of many local residents, The Ridgway in by wagon in the 1870s were Chautauqua Society (RCS) is now a proud steward of invited to the Sherbino to view the two of Ridgway’s remaining historic structures — the movie “The Covered Wagon” which remodeled Sherbino, and 610 Clinton Street. commemorated the adventuresome RCS is just beginning to gather the history of the 610 spirit that lead them here. Arts Collective at 610 Clinton Street. They understand Since the Sherbino opened, at one time it may have been a restaurant owned by the folks have gathered to enjoy Isreal family. The engineers tell them the foundation is Chautauqua-style entertainment older than the current structure so they know there is such as orchestra performances, much history yet to be gathered! melodramas, plays, traveling troupes, and educational events. The building has played host graduations, public meetings, IN ADDITION to what they currently have in their files and was used as a roller rink and (for at least one (thanks mostly to Smiles Dunn), RCS hopes to collect night) a boxing arena. The exterior had a bit part more stories, photographs and history of both of these in the 1968 original movie True Grit that included amazing buildings — true links to Ridgway’s past. a false porch built onto the addition on rear of If you can help them add to their historical records the building. At some point the original interior please email sue@sherbino.org or leave a message at was split into two sections. The section with the 970-318-0892. They would love to hear from you! original doorway (now Colorado Boy’s entrance)
R I D G W A Y C H A U T A U Q U A S O C I E T Y : an abbreviated history 2011
Dec 31, First Emergency SOS - Save Our Sherbino - New Year’s Eve Party is organized by a handful of volunteers. The party raised enough money to stave off foreclosure of the building for a bit. n
sharing arrangement with Weehawken Creative Arts. n Efforts to purchase the Sherbino property through foreclosure in the Ouray County Court system continued through all of 2014, reaching approval in the courts in December.
2012
Ridgway Chautauqua Society (RCS) was formed and completed all non-profit filings by April. n
2013
In the fall, RCS began to explore the possibility of a shared staffing arrangement with Weehawken Creative Arts. n In December, efforts were made with owner Shannon McCarthy and lender Richard Fike to purchase the Sherbino through a managed foreclosure process. n
2014
In July, RCS entered into a formal memorandum of understanding and a staff n
RCS and Weehawken received a combined operational grant from the Telluride Foundation to support the program development of the two organizations during the first year of the MOU/Shared Staffing Arrangement. n
2015
On January 5, RCS received clear title to the historic Sherbino property n
on the Ouray County Courthouse steps. n Programming began to grow and evolve with staffing in-place. n In October, the RCS board formed a capital campaign committee to raise funds for much-needed building renovation and improvements.
2016
RCS’s vision for an “organic campus” idea emerged; Dr. William Steding helped the group with “The Big Why.” n
2017
Kathleen O’Mara entered the Sherbino scene to embark on the offering of community theatre and n
in May, the Sherbino Theatre Company was born, boasting three more-thansold out shows of “Monty Python.” n Also in May, a capital campaign coordinator was hired. n In July and August, staff and committee members embarked on a pivotal learning journeys tour, visiting 17 facilities in 13 different communities. Team members learned about what worked and didn’t, what they liked best, what would be important to local patrons and supporters, and what not to do. n In the early fall, RCS determined that they “must” acquire additional footprint space for the future of the Sherbino. The RCS was given (and jumped at) the opportunity to purchase the 610 Clinton property. n The Board and the Capital Campaign team determined
that they would secure a loan as they did with Phase 1 (Sherbino Building Purchase) and declared “Phase 3” the next Capital Campaign phase. “Phase 3” would be the outright purchase (paid in full) of the 610 Clinton building, with a goal of paying off the building in 2018. n Staffing changes led to the hiring of local dynamo Trisha Oakland as the shared programs director for WCA and RCS.
2018
In February the team began to move-into the 610 Clinton building. n RCS and WCA developed the front space as an art exhibition space by March of 2018 with plans to open a gallery shop by summer of 2018. Officially, the “610 Arts Collective” was born. n In April the Sherbino closed for a 2 1/2 week period in order to achieve “Phase 2” of the Capital Campaign, which included immediate improvements n
of the Sherbino. Upgrades included: painting the interior and exterior, new LED lights for house lights as well as theatre lights, new electrical, new HVAC and ductwork, restroom, stage and green room renovations, new furnishings everywhere, all new decor and more. n In early May, the Sherbino got a new roof, thanks to the help of an anonymous donor. n Programming and daily use were confirmed at an all-time high by June.
2019
The 610 Clinton Building was fully purchased and paidoff in early January. n With the completion of many improvements and upgrades, RCS is remains focused on programming and mission-fulfillment. n RCS is currently engaged in a formal master planning process with the help of a talented local architecture firm; assembling a long-term vision for the full campus components. n
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Ridgway Rendezvous returns for 35th year in August
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he beautiful town of Ridgway is known for spectacular scenery, railroads, ranching, recreation and, of course, the Ridgway Rendezvous Arts and Crafts Festival held every year in August for the past 34 years. kids to do – even just playing in the incredible In its 35th year, Weehawken Creative park or walking on the gorgeous river trail Arts will welcome over 140 juried artists and between events! On Saturday and Sunday, vendors from across the United States on children will enjoy riding the Ridgway Fire August 11th and 12th in the Town of Ridgway's Department train, a magic show, face painting, historic park. The 2019 Rendezvous is sure to a free arts and crafts booth, and several kids be the best Rendezvous yet, with an abundance booths too. of new artists and craftsmen’s work to enjoy. This annual show is located at the junction All types of fine arts and original crafts will of Highways 550 and 62 in Southwest be represented at this show. Additionally, Colorado, Gateway to the beautiful San Juan there will be a diverse assortment of food Mountains. The show runs on Saturday from concessions offering everything from barbecue 9 am until 5 pm and on Sunday from 10 am to salmon tacos. This year's event will also until 5 pm. There will be a free shuttle service feature the delicious brews from regional available on Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm, breweries and will also feature signature drinks running regularly from the Ridgway Post such as margaritas and bloody marys as well as Office to the rodeo/fairgrounds entrance on wine at the event. Hwy 62 as you enter Ridgway. Admission to This two-day festival offers plenty for you the Ridgway Rendezvous on Saturday and to enjoy all day long throughout each day. Sunday is FREE, so make plans to bring your The entertainment on the Main Stage runs whole family and a car load of friends for a fun continuously on both days of the show with weekend in Ridgway! music ranging from bluegrass to magic shows and rock and roll. Watch art transpire as demonstrations of FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact Weehawken all types are scheduled by the vendors throughout each day. Creative Arts at questions@weehawkenarts.org or call These events are perfect for 970-318-0150. This event is sponsored by Weehawken all ages; having plenty of extra Creative arts and is a fundraiser for the children's arts special things for families and programming offered through Weehawken.
E N J O Y F I B E R A R T S F E S T AT P E A K O F F A L L C O L O R S Weehawken’s Sneffels Fiber Arts Fest Arrives in Ridgway in September for its seventh year
The 7th Annual Sneffels Fiber Arts Festival will be held on September 21 from 9-5 & September 22 from 10-3, at the peak of the gorgeous fall colors in Ouray County. This event will be held at the 4-H Events Center, located at the intersection of Highways 550 and 62 at the Ouray County Fairgrounds in Ridgway, and offers fiber arts materials, wares and finished products from a variety of over 25 vendors. In addition to showcasing completed works by fiber artists and products for use by fiber artists, the event will also include free demonstrations offered on both Saturday and Sunday. “Fiber Arts are actually pretty amazing. This event is really exciting to everyone at the onset of fall. Even people who know nothing about fiber arts are surprised at how entertaining the festival
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is,” said Executive Director Ashley King. “The live demos are fascinating, the product is really interesting and unique and the finished products are prime for the upcoming gift-giving season.” Several, more-intensive fee-based workshops will be offered over the course of the weekend too. These workshops include needle felting, wet felting, a class on color theory, a class called “fix it, don’t rip it”, knitting classes and more. Details on the classes offered an online registration can be found at www.sneffelsfiberfest.com or www. weehawkenarts.org. The Annual Sneffels Fiber Festival is made possible largely by the enthusiastic festival volunteers. This festival is unique, focusing on quality fiber arts clothing, decor and materials. The Ouray County Sneffels Fiber Festival is a fundraising event for Weehawken Creative Arts.