Art Festivals, Walks & Classes Add Splash of Color to Gunnison-Crested Butte

 Art events schedule for summer/fall 2012 announced  

GUNNISON-CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. (April 20, 2012) - The visual arts are a permanent part of Gunnison County, Colorado's unique vibe.  For many years, the communities of Gunnison and Crested Butte have celebrated creativity with three longtime art events set against the beauty of the Colorado Rockies: 40^th annual Crested Butte Arts Festival, 39^th annual Gunnison Art in the Park and 24^th annual The People's Fair.  There is no admission charge for the festivals or two monthly gallery walk evenings.  New this year is a women's art retreat.

Two well-respected arts centers-Gunnison Arts Center and Crested Butte Center for the Arts-also bring a wealth of cultural offerings and art exhibits to the communities throughout the year.  Visit http://www.gunnisonartscenter.org/ and http://www.crestedbuttearts.org/.

Schedule of Art Events

May 4, June 1               First Friday Gallery Crawl & Music, Gunnison

June 28                         ArtWalk Evening, Crested Butte

July 6                            First Friday Gallery Crawl & Music, Gunnison

July 8, 15, 22, 29            AWE Fest - Artists of the West Elks Festival, Elk Avenue, Crested Butte

July 22                          39^th Annual Gunnison Art in the Park, Legion Park

July 26                          ArtWalk Evening, Crested Butte

August 3                       First Friday Gallery Crawl & Music, Gunnison

August 3 - 5                 40^th Annual Crested Butte Arts Festival, Elk Avenue

August 10 - 12              Ripple: A Women's Restorative Art Retreat, Art Studio of the Center for the Arts, Crested Butte

August 12, 19, 26           AWE Fest - Artists of the West Elks Festival, Elk Avenue, Crested Butte

August 18                     High Octane Arts & Crafts Festival, Legion Park, Gunnison

August 30                     ArtWalk Evening, Crested Butte

September 1 - 2            22^nd Annual The People's Fair, Elk Avenue, Crested Butte

September 7                  First Friday Gallery Crawl & Music, Gunnison

September 27                ArtWalk Evening, Crested Butte

October 5                     First Friday Gallery Crawl & Music, Gunnison

First Friday Gallery Crawl & Music, Gunnison, First Fridays All Year

To kick off each month right, enjoy great art in Gunnison at the First Friday Gallery Crawl & Music from 5 - 7 p.m.  Refreshments, on-site artists and great socializing are highlights.  Call Gunnison Gallery at (970) 641-6111 for participating businesses and more information.

ArtWalk Evenings, Crested Butte, June 28, July 26, August 30 & September 27

To wrap up the month in style, from June to September, Crested Butte's ArtWalk Evenings bring art enthusiasts on a tour of the galleries on the last Thursday evening from 5 - 8 p.m.  Light refreshments, music and on-site artists are featured at many of the locations.  ArtWalk Evenings also take place December - March. For a list of participating galleries, go to http://www.awearts.org/.  

AWEFest, Crested Butte, July 8, 15, 22, 29 & August 12, 19, 26

The Artists of the West Elks will hold seven AWEFests this summer, showcasing members work in conjunction with the Crested Butte Farmers' Market on Sundays.  The festivals will be held on Elk Avenue from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.  For more information, go to http://www.awearts.org/.

39^th Annual Gunnison Art in the Park, July 22

Gunnison's Legion Park serves as the backdrop for this annual art extravaganza organized by the local chapter of American Association of University Women (AAUW).  On July 22, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., approximately 55 artists will exhibit and sell their creations during this juried event.  Live entertainment, activities for kids and a food tent also are part of the fun.  Proceeds from the event benefit AAUW's local scholarship program and national education foundation.  For booth applications, call Carol at (970) 641-4230 and for information, call Sharon at (970) 641-2883.

40th Annual Crested Butte Arts Festival, August 3 - 5  

Crested Butte Arts Festival is one of the biggest weekends of the summer, drawing world-class artists from all 50 states and several international exhibitors.  Open-air booths line the five-block center of Crested Butte's National Historic District, featuring 175 artists who are selected through a competitive jury process.  New this year, the festival will be open Friday evening, Aug. 3, from 5 - 9 p.m., as well as on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.  In addition to an Art Alley for kids, look for an artist demonstration tent, food court, beer and wine pavilion, live entertainment, art auction and culinary demonstrations.  Additional culinary programs will include a bike ride and beer tasting, a Farm to Table Dinner and distillers' event. 

"Immerse Yourself in Art" will be the theme for the blockbuster weekend with the Crested Butte Arts Center, Studio of the Center for the Arts, Artists of the West Elks and Crested Butte Film Festival offering several additional opportunities such as workshops and art films. A highlight will be Bridges of Crested Butte, featuring art installation pieces on all six of Crested Butte's bridges as well as at the entrance to the festival on Elk Avenue.  Docent led tours will be available.  Call (970) 349-1184 or visit http://www.crestedbutteartsfestival.com/.

High Octane Arts & Crafts Festival, Gunnison, August 18 

The Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce invites arts and crafts lovers to experience the High Octane Arts & Crafts Festival being held in conjunction with the Gunnison Car Show on Aug. 18.  The festival showcases arts and crafts by approximately 60 artisans from around the region and will be held from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. in Legion Park, located across the street from Jorgensen Park where the car show will be held.  Great food and fun for the whole family are on tap.  Call (800) 814-8893 for information.

24^th Annual The People's Fair, September 1 - 2

The Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend marks the return of The People's Fair in downtown Crested Butte.  Hundreds of locals and visitors stroll Elk Avenue on Sept. 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to take in this homespun cultural experience and to soak in the last of the high-country summer.  The People's Fair features an eclectic mix of approximately 70 booths showcasing regional arts and crafts, collectibles and antiques, and preserved foods from local gardens as well as live music, a tasty fair food, and nonprofit organization booths.  The People's Fair is made possible by the volunteer efforts of the artist members of The Paragon Gallery, a cooperatively owned arts and crafts gallery in downtown Crested Butte, located at 132 Elk Ave.  For more information, contact The Paragon Gallery at (970) 349-6484 or visit http://www.paragongallery.org/.

Hands-On Workshops & Retreats

The Art Studio of the Center for the Arts has opened a new art studio facility at 111 Elk Ave. in Crested Butte and presents numerous classes all year.  There will be special offerings during the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, July 9 - 15, and Crested Butte Arts Festival, Aug. 3 - 5.  For a detailed schedule, go to http://www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/www.crestedbuttearts.org%20 and click on Visual Arts. 

New this year is the Art Studio's "Ripple: A Women's Restorative Art Retreat" presented by artists and educators Melissa Mason and Ivy Walker on Aug. 10 - 12, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. each day. Between careers, children and households, many women find it difficult to set aside time to tap into their creative energy.  The retreat will begin with artistic, creative play in mixed media followed by gathering a collection of images with personal meaning, with these images serving as map for a more engaged piece started in the studio and finished outdoors.  The retreat will conclude by documenting and saving these works in a creative journal.  Catered breaks for lunch and snacks are part of the registration fee.  Call (970) 596-5497 for information.

The Gunnison Arts Center also offers numerous art classes for all ages and in a variety of mediums.  Call (970) 641-4029 or go to http://www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/www.gunnisonartscenter.org%20 for all the details. 

If furthering skills with a camera is of interest, Crested Butte-based photographers J.C. Leacock and Dusty Demerson lead photo tours and workshops all year long for individuals and small groups.  Both earn their livelihoods by being full-time photographers and offer full- and half-day tours by appointment as well as small group workshops for a camera club or group.  Visit http://www.cbphotoworkshops.com/.

VISITOR INFORMATION & PERSONALIZED VACATION PACKAGES
To find out more about Gunnison-Crested Butte events and attractions or to book personalized vacation packages, call the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association's official reservations center at (800) 814-8893 or visit www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com.  During the summer and fall, air access to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport is provided by United Airlines.

ABOUT GUNNISON-CRESTED BUTTE, COLORADO
Gunnison-Crested Butte is nestled among almost two million acres of pristine wilderness in southwest Colorado.  Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing.  Gunnison-Crested Butte is also a haven for outdoor summer activities.  In the warmer months, visitors can choose from recreational activities such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding.  Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops and stimulating cultural opportunities, and have a wide range of lodging options - from rustic inns to guest cabins and bed-and-breakfasts to full-service resort hotels. 

Gunnison, county seat and a real western town, is home to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, Gunnison Whitewater Park, Gunnison Valley Observatory, Pioneer Museum and Western State College, which offers bachelor's and master's degrees in liberal arts and sciences and pre-professional fields.  Both Crested Butte and Gunnison have thriving historic central business districts packed with shopping and dining opportunities. 

Recognized as the "Official Wildflower Capital of Colorado" by the Colorado Legislature and one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" in 2008, Crested Butte is 28 miles from Gunnison and the site of rich mining, ranching and skiing heritage and home to the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.  Only three miles up the road is the resort village of Mt. Crested Butte, home to the ski area, an active base area, the area's conference center, and outstanding hiking and biking trails. 

Marble is located in the Upper Crystal River Valley along the Elk Mountains and is the gateway to nearby Crystal, home to one of the most photographed mill sites in the country. Marble has seven sites on the National Register of Historic Places and is the location of the Yule Marble Quarry.

In Gunnison County, visitors will find the Curecanti National Recreation Area, where dinosaur fossils were recently discovered; the Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado's largest body of water and home to the largest Kokanee salmon fishery in the United States; and The Black Canyon of the Gunnison, one of our country's newest national parks.  Gunnison County includes the quaint and historic towns of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Powderhorn, Almont and Crystal, plus the better-known communities of Gunnison, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.  Gunnison County is part of the West Elk Loop and Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byways.

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For a Word version of this press release, click on the link below.

Contact:  Beth Buehler    
Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association  
(970) 349-1168, (970) 901-6970 (cell) or bethbuehler@qwestoffice.net  
www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com