Chaffee County, CO--In Salida and Buena Vista it is if the surrounding mountains, the rivers and the people that make this a special place serve as an inspiration to potters, painters, jewelers, sculptors and performers. Forty-plus galleries feature artwork of some of the best talent in the Rocky Mountain West and the World. Cultural events that embrace the arts abound all summer long in communities that see the arts as a significant part of their lifestyle and economic vitality. Salida ?Downtown Salida, the biggest little Art Town in Colorado, is home to many artists and everyday people who have made a choice in life to be close to a wonderful source of uplifting energy. The community of artists in this creative oasis has transformed the historical downtown buildings into working studios and galleries where locals and visitors can watch and interact with talented artists. The renaissance of the Salida SteamPlant Events Center has added to the arts culture by offering a great variety of year-round musical and theatrical performances, activities and art shows and displays. Riverside Park, located on the banks of the Arkansas River, also plays host too many wonderful events. Here is a taste of the art and cultural events Salida has planned for the summer:
?ArtWalk, the Grand Dame of Art Festivals, takes place June 26-28, 2009. Visitors can stroll Historic Downtown Salida streets, enjoying the sights and sounds of the visual and performing art showcased in over 40 galleries, restaurants and shops. For more information visit www.salidaartwalk.com. ?
Second Saturdays-Come visit the 18 Artist-Owned galleries in Historic Downtown Salida, Colorado! Most galleries feature show openings or artist receptions from 12 pm to 7pm on the second Saturday of each month. For more information visit www.salidaartists.com.
Salida Riverside Fine Arts Festival August 15-16, 2009--100 juried artists representing 15 states, display and sell their paintings, ceramics, sculpture, fibers and other categories of fine arts on the banks of the beautiful Arkansas River in Salida's Historic downtown. Festival attractions include live music, the Salida Circus performers, delicious food, drinks and Family Art & Play. For more information visit www.salidaartfestival.com. ?
Salida Aspen Concert Series June through August--This series is produced locally by Salida Concerts, Inc. in partnership with Aspen Music Festival and School where the artists are selected from the current crop of rising music stars and brought over Independence Pass to perform in Salida. Visit www.salidaaspenconcerts.org for more information.
Salida Studio Tour, August 28-29, 2009, is a wonderful chance to meet Salida Artists at their studios and observe the creative processes, view their artistic work and give the artists an opportunity to sell their wares to the public in this unique format. For more information visit www.salidaartworks.org
SteamPlant Events Center-The newly renovated gallery, ballroom and theatre serve as wonderful backdrops for music, theatre and the arts. Weekdays and weekends are filled throughout the summer with unique live entertainment. A beautiful sculpture garden showcases distinctive outdoor art exhibits.Visit www.salidasteamplant.com for more information.?
?Buena Vista ?The performing arts are one of the many amenities that Buena Vista Heritage has to offer. BV Heritage was started more than 35 years ago. The organization has become an integral part of the community by providing educational and heritage tourism opportunities at family-value prices. BV Heritage hosts many of the theatrical and heritage events in Buena Vista which include:?
The Madams of Central Colorado at the Courthouse museum-- the "Madams" tell you what life in a bordello was like in an educational and tasteful way. The madams perform thoughout the summer.?Walk the Mt. Olivet Cemetery Tour --costumed actors describe lives of former area residents.
Visit the Historic Turner Farm, two acres in the heart of town that will tranport you to a time gone by. The farm is open Saturday beginning at 4pm and at 6:30pm you can listen to soothing music from the porch of the farmhouse, including dulcimer, guitar, cowboy tunes and classic barbershop favorites. Sunday mornings return for the Farmer's Market from 11am -3pm featuring produce, artisans, entertainment and tours. For more information visit www.buenavistaheritage.org.
?A sampling of other art and cultural events in Buena Vista:?Collegiate Peaks Music Festival on July 25- 26, 2009 brings its fourth annual celebration to the "greens" of South Main, located just off Main Street in downtown Buena Vista. Listen to Spring Creek, Driftwood Fire, Kizumba, Angie Stevens, Opie Gone Bad and other bands right next to the Arkansas River while you shop from food and craft vendors. For more information visit www.collegiatepeaksmusicfestival.com.
?Forest Square Park hosts concerts on Thursday night all summer long with music varying from easy listening to hard rock. ?Quilt and Textile Show from July 3-7, 2009-If textile art is your thing visit the community center on East Main for this unique festival. Serendipity Yarn and Gifts has wearable art and classes throughout the summer.?Art in the Park on July 4, 2009 will fill up McPhelemy Park in downtown Buena Vista. ?Galleries throughout Buena Vista offer a year around feast for the visual arts. Coming Soon ?Over the River is a two-week work of art proposed by world renowned artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude. The artists will suspend five miles of silvery, luminous fabric panels on cables, constructed above the Arkansas River at eight selected areas along a 40-mile stretch on US 50 between Salida and Canon City. Over the River will be funded entirely by the artists. Plans now call for the work to be displayed during the summer of 2012, at the earliest. For more information visit, www.overtheriverinfo.com. Chaffee County can feed all your cultural and artist needs. Add a work of art to your collection and a story to your life.
ABOUT CHAFFEE COUNTY: ?Chaffee County is located in Central Colorado, the Heart of the Colorado Rockies. As Colorado's Headwaters of Adventure - it stars the small towns of Buena Vista, Salida, Poncha Springs as well as Monarch Ski & Snowboard Area. ?Folks drawn here enjoy the welcome contrasts to the state's more glamorous destination resorts. You don't need the trendiest clothes or newest equipment to fit in with the locals. However, if you do have a thirst for adventure we have more than 100 miles of Arkansas River to raft, fish, float or kayak in. Fifteen of the states 53 14,000 ft peaks touch the sky here in the Sawatch Range. ? ?In spring, summer and fall Chaffee County is a mecca for the outdoor enthusiast. Visitors can choose from recreational activities such as hiking, biking, ATVing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, fly-fishing, camping, horseback riding, zip lining, swimming, tennis and golfing. Winter sports fans can enjoy skiing and snowboarding at Monarch Mountain, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing. Year-around visitors in the "banana belt" can enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops, incredible art galleries and a large selection of antique shops in the historic towns of Salida and Buena Vista. Lodging options range from motels to rustic inns, bed and breakfasts, hostels, beautiful campsites to guest ranches.? ?For more information and a complimentary brochure, visit www.NowThisIsColorado.com. ??
About the Chaffee County Visitors Bureau
The Chaffee County Visitor's Bureau was approved by voters in 1990. It is funded by a 1.9 percent countywide lodging tax. The CCVB is charged with advertising and promoting the county's tourism resources.
EDITORIAL CONTACT:
April Prout, 970.692.9453
CCVB Marketing & PR Consultant
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Copyright 2005 Arkansas Valley Publishing. No reproduction without permission.
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