Support local arts

Home-grown talent abounds in NOCO

Linda L. Osmundson

Fifty & Better We are fortunate here in northern Colorado where authors, actors, and artists receive support from local theaters, colleges, organizations and museums. The University of Northern Colorado, Colorado State University and some private studios are award-winning venues for their creative arts, performance, dance and music programs. Home-grown actors, artists and authors find many outlets for their talents.

WRITERS AND AUTHORS Writers and authors abound, from nationally recognized to beginners, in this part of the state. Libraries and bookstores introduce local artists through book signings and shelves reserved for their books. They also supply book club favorites

workshops and sessions include craft, process, business, marketing, agent pitch and critique sessions, banquet, cocktail reception, lunch and panels with agents and editors. They offer a 4-hour pre-conference Master Class April 30 for an additional fee.

The conference incorporates the talents of resident writers. A lunch keynote speaker is Fort Collins author, Teresa Funke, who speaks on “Embracing Your Burst of Brilliance.” Todd Mitchell, author of award-winning books for young readers and teens, shares ideas for unlocking your creative potential. Loveland’s first poet laureate, Veronica Patterson, teaches “How Poetry Takes Flight.” Natasha Wing, award-winning author of the Night Before series, joke books and other non-fiction titles, talks on how to create and fund a writer’s Kickstarter campaign. A downloadable schedule can be found at www.northerncoloradowriters.com/2020-NCW-Conference.

PERFORMING ARTS Greeley and Fort Collins symphonies hire musicians from UNC and CSU. You’ll also find actors from these schools at northern Colorado venues. Find local talent in the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse performances of (http://www.coloradocandle light. com/) Jekyll & Hyde through March 31st and Curtains from April 9th through May 31st.

and, perhaps, a list of clubs. Inquire about possible writer’s critique groups.

Northern Colorado Writers (www.northerncoloradowriters.com) members as well as all writers in the area can benefit from the organization’s classes, blog, workshops and yearly conference. Beginners to published writers are encouraged to attend this year’s 15th annual conference from April 30-May 2nd at the Fort Collins Marriott. Thirty-plus

Greeley’s Union Colony Theater presents the Greeley Choral, April 18th and Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra’s Bon Voyage, May 1st. Check their website for more entertainment opportunities, https://ucstars.com/up coming-shows/.

Canyon Concert Ballet (https:// ccballet.org/calendar/) performs “Rubies: A 40th Anniversary Celebration” at 2 or 7pm, April 25th.

Open Stage Theatre (https://www. openstage.com) produces locally crafted live shows. Bas Bleu Theater (https:// www.basbleu.org/), an intimate 100-seat theater near Old Town Fort Collins, showcases improv comedy, concerts and readings throughout the year. Loveland’s Rialto lists its programs quarterly in the AHA Magazine distributed by the Rialto and the Loveland Museum/Gallery. Check their website for program lineup featuring Colorado talent. (http://www. rialtotheatercenter.org/). Support Colorado State University and University of Northern Colorado programs featuring music, theater and dance students.

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES Galleries and museums include everything from hands-on activities to cultural exhibits. Exhibits highlight talents of northern Colorado artists who also teach classes and appear in juried shows. The Loveland Museum/Gallery hosts the annual Governor’s Art Show and Sale (April 25-May 31) funded by two Loveland Rotary clubs and features only Colorado artists. Many of the artists call northern Colorado home. Paintings, photography, sculpture and more fill the main and Foote galleries. Attend the opening night gala April 24th for a preview and silent auction of the art works from 6 to 8:30pm. The silent auction benefits Colorado artists, youth and community needs in Larimer County. Check the list of artists chosen for this year’s 29th annual show at https://gov ernorsartshow.org/2020- selected-artists/.

Fort Collins Museum of Modern Art’s upcoming exhibition is Masks, April 3-May 1. This 16th year highlights artists given unadorned ceramic masks to decorate and display. Completed masks are sold at a silent auction with proceeds going to support the museum’s exhibits and educational programing. After Masks comes Fiberart International 2019 from May 22 to July 26 with 56 artists showing 57 pieces from eight countries and forty-three states. Even the Greeley Stampede supports the arts via their annual Western Art Show. Among the approximate 50 artists represented see works by Loveland residents—pyrographer Julie Bender, sculptors Cammie and George Lundeen and George Walbye.

OTHER ARTS VENUES Loveland hosts Chupungu Sculpture Park located in Centerra. Pick a sunny day and walk the trail showcasing 80 Zimbabwe Stone Sculptures, which portray an African perception of family. You can also visit Benson Sculpture Garden. The garden offers a gazebo for parties, picnic areas, restrooms, drinking fountains, benches and 164 sculptures by internationally renowned artists including many from Colorado.

Make a Tuesday or Thursday appointment to tour Art Castings of Colorado foundry (http://www.artcastings. com/) in Loveland. Their clientele consists of artists from around the world. Artists’ studios are often open to the public such as Lundeen Sculpture, 338 E. 4th Street, Loveland. You can view “in progress” sculptures from busts to monumental.

You, too, can support local authors, actors and artists by your attendance, donations and/or purchases.