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The Art Center - See the Color of Creativity

Combining the efforts of local members and community leaders, the Western Colorado Center for the Arts was incorporated in 1953 as a nonprofit corporation. A home located on 7th Street was purchased in 1960 to house the Art Center and volunteer labor completed the facility remodel. The upper story provided needed classroom space while exhibitions and recitals were held on the main floor. The Center's first ceramics programs began in the basement of the building.

Since the Western Colorado Center for the Arts inception over 50 years ago, the Center has been the only community resource in Mesa County providing:

* enjoyment and understanding of the arts
* an arts education program for children and adults of all abilities
* an exhibition venue for students of all ages, local artists and guilds
* public access to exhibits by nationally and internationally acclaimed artists
* one to six exhibits every month, and
* a permanent collection that documents the historic and current art of the West.

Nearly 25,000 art patrons visited the Art Center in 2004, including 600 adult students in the painting, drawing and ceramic classes; 3,500 children for May Art Week; and 320 more children at Summer Art Camp. The Center maintains a membership roster of 1,000 families and businesses that support its efforts to improve the quality of life on the Western Slope.

RE/MAX 4000 enriches the arts and encourages our children's creative minds. We at RE/MAX 4000 believe that the Arts are vital to providing a well-rounded education,helping kids further develop the ability to think creatively. Toni Milyard, Owner of RE/MAX 4000 states "Our mission is to ensure opportunity for all kids to have access to and involvement in the arts". We feel by funding this program and encouraging others to support the arts we as a community enhance education.

The education program includes a range of class and camp experiences for children and adults in a variety of media such as ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, crafts, etc. The Art Center program for children supplements the public school art curriculum where one is available, or replaces the one that is no longer funded in our schools. Children are encouraged to explore personal creativity and self expression under the direction of Art Center staff and volunteers. Adults can choose from classes offered by Art Center resident and local professional artists that are held during the daytime or evening hours.

With the Western Colorado Center for the Arts being the only organization in Mesa County providing these services, the Art Center is crucial in providing educational and cultural resources that are vital to the health of our community. Contact Claudia B. Crowell at the Art Center,
243-7337, for more information. (...go back)