Wow, What a Summer! - Center for the Arts Crested Butte

Wow, What a Summer!
Crested Butte
Mountain Theatres’
smash hit, Oklahoma!
Thank you for supporting the children of our
community through this Artist in Residency
program and performance on September 16, 2011.
Alpin Hong and John McEuen entertained
enthusiastic fans on Center Stage last month.
2 CENTER FOR THE ARTS FALL NEWSLETTER 2011
Center Resource Council Established
T
HE CENTER FOR THE ARTS Board of Directors has established the new Center Resource
Council with the mission and purpose of providing feedback and input regarding current,
relevant and pertinent issues and concerns affecting the Center and the arts community.
Resource Council members are active in:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gail Digate
President
Melissa Belkin
President Elect
Jennifer Hartman
Vice President
Nancy Siebert
Secretary
Carolyn Reimer
Treasurer
Mary Allen
Clif Barnhart
Melissa Belkin
Heidi Bogart
Lillie Hughes
Sarah Keene
Margot Levy
Cynthia Peatross
Carolyn Spahn
Randi Stroh
• Contributing their wisdom in Board and committee meetings, as well as informally to the staff
• Serving as ambassadors for CFTA to the community
• Transmitting the concerns of the community to CFTA, especially since some Resource
Council members have been selected, in part, because of a geographic, cultural, age or
economic perspective that they bring or because they have close ties to a particular
group in the community.
Like Board Members, Resource Council Members
Acknowledge the Culture of the CFTA By:
• Recognizing of our many different talents, community connections, points of view, and
ways of thinking, and a deep respect for these diverse attributes
• Valuing dialogue as the backbone for decision-making, which includes asking hard
questions, listening well, and expressing our opinions
• Making decisions in a clear, timely and accountable way
Resource Council members serve one-year terms renewable annually with mutual consent
of Resource Council and Center Board of Directors. Membership will consist of Former Board
members (those who have served their terms and/or resigned prior to fulfilling their terms
and still wish to contribute to The Center at a leadership level), potential (future) Board
members and members of the community. For more information, please contact Jenny Birnie,
Executive Director at (970) 349–7487 Ext. 2 or jenny@crestedbuttearts.org
EX OFFICIO MEMBERS
Kathy Barnhart
Andrew Gitin
Phoebe Wilson
STAFF
Jenny Birnie
Executive Director
Jamie Booth
Program Manager
Laura Cass
Rentals & Operations Manager
Molly Murfee
Marketing Director
Ed Boardman
Tech Director
Jaimie Mason
Evening Rentals Manager
Center Circle Members
Center Circle members make a three-year financial commitment to bring extraordinary
artists to Crested Butte. For the Center’s fifteenth anniversary in 2003, the first group of
Center Circle members made a commitment to make the first Winter Season happen.
The membership in this group remains strong, providing the funds that enable us to
expand our programming each year. These contributions are critical to our success!
Mary and Richard Allen
John and Melissa Belkin
Mary and Rick Bush
Marsha and Richard Cole
Sandy and Roger Dorf
Frank and Linda Fialkoff
Christe and Tim Fretthold
Beverly and Bailie Griffith
Jennifer and Gary Hartman
Anne Hickman
Jim and Ynette Hogue
Bill and Carolyn Huckabay
Anne Lamkin Kinder
Susan Lawhon
Leadership Learning Systems
Ed and Judy Ligon
Margot Levy and
Harvey Castro
Tonie and Charles Mann
David and Patty Miller
M.J. and Jim Miller
Keely Murphy
Carolyn and Bill Reimer
Cille and Mike Ribaudo
Anne and Bill Ronai
Jim Runner
Nancy Siebert and Jon Zich
Julia and Andy Shoup
Randi and Tony Stroh
Kate and Steve Tillery
Marion Troske
Sharon and Ted Troy
Collin Weston Memorial Fund
Rodi and Dick Whiting
Leah and Wynn Williams
Bob and Nancy Yuskaitis
PHOTOGRAPHY
Nathan Bilow
P.O. Box 1819 • 606 6th Street
Crested Butte, Colorado 81224
Phone: (970) 349–7487
Fax: (970) 349–5626
www.crestedbuttearts.org
OFFICE HOURS
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday
Founders’ Club Members
The Founders’ Club ensures the continuation of the Center’s original vision-to be responsive to
the needs of the community. Members play a key leadership role in growing and sustaining
high quality and progressive programs. By making a financial contribution, the Founders’
Club supports programs in the following areas: visual arts, dance, adult education, children
and youth programs, artist in residence and cultural diversity.
Margery Feldberg and
Jeremy Levin
Ren and Gloria Kern
Robert and Pam Nichols
Bill and Cynthia Peatross
Paul and Donna Witt
CENTER FOR THE ARTS FALL NEWSLETTER 2011 3
The Center for the Arts and Studio Art School
Team Up with Expanded Programming
T
techniques); printmaking; graffiti, spray paint and
HE CENTER FOR THE ARTS and The Studio Art
modern street art; crochet and knitting; sewing;
School have joined forces to create The Art Studio of
jewelry making; and Meet the Masters classes which
the Center for the Arts, or ASCA. On Monday, October
combine art and art history instruction.
10, ASCA opened its creative doors in a new space at
Additionally, workshops will allow
111 Elk Avenue.
participants to focus on learning a technique
The Studio Art School has closed its location next to
and leaving with a product in a single
Clark's Market and will now offer its adult visual arts
session. Workshops will include glass
programming through this new location in partnership
painting; body art (including henna and
with the Center, and its children's programming
airbrush); guided painting; New Year's
through the Trailhead Children's Discovery Museum in
Eve mask making (and other holiday
Mt. Crested Butte.
workshops); beaded jewelry; and silver
Melissa Mason, proprietor of The Studio Art School,
jewelry casting. The community will still
will manage the physical space at the new ASCA; work
have the opportunity to paint pottery at
collaboratively with the Center on program design; hire
and manage instructors; and provide the technical
“What we’re going to the ASCA through scheduled painting
days (such as Ornament Painting Day in
artistic equipment. Mason, who designed and
be able to accomplish December) and by group or family
implemented visual arts programs at three other schools
appointments.
including the Slate River School and Crested Butte
together is so much more
The Art Studio is also available for private
Academy, is also a member of the Arts Alliance and the
lessons
in any medium; parties for birthdays,
Visual Arts ad hoc committee of the Center's Board of
than I could ever have
ladies' nights, employee parties and organized
Directors. The committee's goal is to assist the Center in
wedding activities; and events for local
developing a new vision for the visual arts in the
done on my own.”
organizations.
community, and to provide feedback on the expanded
Special new programs include three day Women's
facility plan related to the visual arts spaces.
Melissa Mason
Retreats package vacations with art workshops, lodging
The Center brings its non-profit mission of offering
Program Director
and meals; Continuing Education for Local Artists which
engaging opportunities and educational experiences to
The Art Studio of the
contracts experts in the field to provide professional
enrich and expand the life of the community to the
Center for the Arts
level courses for established artists; Guest Artist Lectures
mutually beneficial partnership. Additionally, the Center
with experts in the field speaking on art, art history and
is offering financial, marketing and professional support
artistic techniques; and Community Critique sessions where artists can
to the ASCA. Bringing the two entities together also merges clientele,
receive feedback on their work from other attendees.
broadening the base of people able to easily access the new visual arts
As part of the Center's beliefs that art and cultural experiences should
programming.
be provided for everyone, ASCA will initiate an Apprenticeship and
“What we're going to be able to accomplish together is so much
Continued Visual Art Education for Youth program to bridge the gap
more than I could ever have done on my own,” says Mason, “The visual
between children's programming provided at The Trailhead Children's
arts in this valley are ready to ignite. Working with the Center and the
Discovery Museum and the adult programing at The Art Studio. Youth
Arts Alliance is what's allowing the big picture visions to actually begin
from grades six and up will be able to participate in art classes designed
happening.”
specifically for their age group, with special apprenticeships with local
The Center for the Arts' number one goal is to be recognized as a
artists provided for dedicated arts students. Additionally, week long
“best-in-class” facility for visual and performing arts. Its stated Values are
intensives assure creative outlets throughout the summer.
to provide art for everyone; to add creativity, innovation and diversity to
The Shared Artists' Space memberships, or SAS, also continues at
the life of the community; and to extend accessibility to art through
ASCA. Here, local artists may use the ASCA for their own projects with
diverse programming. Now, with the new partnership with The Studio
24-hour, seven day a week access; personal storage for supplies and
Art School, and its incredible roster of workshops, classes and lectures,
works in progress; access to the potter's wheels and other ceramics
those visions are becoming a fast reality in the visual arts.
supplies; and use of the kiln. Memberships are $85 per month or $80
“We are only able to have limited offerings of visual arts because we
per month when signing up for the entire year. Artist and ceramicist
don't have the space in our current facility,” says Jenny Birnie, Executive
Laura Elm is the Managing Artist for the SAS. As a working studio, the
Director for the Center, “Opening the new space on Elk Avenue with The
ASCA will also have gallery sales as part of its storefront where patrons
Art Studio allows us to grow our adult visual arts programming in
may purchase local art.
preparation for the Center's expansion.”
“This is step one of a five-year plan the Visual Arts Ad Hoc
The Art Studio of the Center for the Arts rocketed into action on
committee is working on,” says Mason, “The Art Studio is becoming a
October 12th with classes in Printmaking, Introduction to Ceramics and
team player in the broader picture of bringing people to the valley for
Introduction to Drawing. Throughout the year, ASCA plans to provide a
visual arts. We see this area becoming a visual arts mecca. Getting
variety of eight-week classes in ceramics; photography; painting
people excited about this type of programming paves the way for the
(including oil, acrylic, watercolor, realism, abstract and expressionistic
Center's planned expansion.”
techniques); drawing (including basic, figure and multi-media
4 CENTER FOR THE ARTS FALL NEWSLETTER 2011
Dance Collective Fall Production Rings in the Harvest with Vinotok
T
Crested Butte Dance
Collective performance
on Center Stage.
HE CRESTED BUTTE DANCE COLLECTIVE fulfilled a dream in creating an
original performance for the local festival, Vinotok, as their fall production.
The Celebration of the Harvest Mother took place on Sunday, September 18 at
High Noon at the Crested Butte Farmer's Market, kicking off the entire week of
Vinotok. In pulling both new and experienced dancers from the community, as
well as collaborating with Vinotok, the Dance Collective was able to further their
mission of deepening the connection to self, others and the world through dance.
Through this performance, new interpersonal connections were built and
community partnerships begun — all part of the desired outcomes and objectives
of the Collective.
Dances oscillated around the theme of the Harvest Mother symbolizing the
season's harvest, and the earth's bounty and fertility. All the pregnant women of
the community were invited to be honored on the stage and to get front row
seats for the performance. Silent stilt-walking Protector Spirits dressed in all white
and bedecked with chimes, feathers and fur set the reverent and mysterious tone.
These figures were creatively inspired by the archetypal god-like Shalako figures
present at the sacred festivals held in December by the Zuni tribe to give thanks
for the harvest.
The local belly dancing troupe Shavani, meaning “wise woman,” began by
performing an American tribal style belly dance. In Arab tribal religions belly
dancing served as a dance to the goddess of fertility and was often executed by
women for women. Shavani employed traditional movement in an organized
improvisation with swirling skirts of purple and red, and music from finger
cymbals, ankle bells and hip belts. African dancers dressed as forest creatures then
performed Kassa, a harvest dance from Guinea used to celebrate bountiful
harvests at festivals.
The flow of the performance from stilt walkers to belly dancers to African
dancers was created with original choreography and direction by Dance Collective
founders KT Folz and Adge Marziano. Each member of the Dance Collective hand
crafted their own costumes. All dancers were local with local musicians on fiddle,
African drums of djembe, dunun, sangban, kenkeni, and the earth drum
accompanying the pieces.
Additionally this summer, members of the Dance Collective hosted a variety of
workshops for the community to expand their dancing horizons, including
Hoopdance with Lealyn Poponi; Irish Dance with Jessica Evans-Wall; Fire Staff, Poi
Spinning and Belly Dance with Satya of Illumicirque and Bella Rouge Tribal;
Butoh Japanese Performance Art with Nathan Montgomery; and African Dance
and Drumming with Guinea dancer and drummer Fara Tolno, Congo dancer and
drummer Mekaya, and Congo drummer Teber.
This fall members of the Crested Butte Dance Collective continue to offer a
variety of classes and workshops while also preparing for the 2012 Move the Butte
production the first weekend in March. For people interested in helping the Dance
Collective in their endeavors, including grant writing, volunteer coordination, and
production contact cbdancecollective@gmail.com or call (970) 560–9485.
CENTER FOR THE ARTS FALL NEWSLETTER 2011 5
I
F THERE IS ANY BAROMETER OF how well-used and well-loved by the
community the Center is — the summer season is it. Over 20,000 people
walked through the doors of the Center from May through September. The
whole facility was hopping with dance, film, theatre, music, visual arts and
discussion forums with 38 Center productions, 47 community events, seven
Piper Gallery Artist's Receptions and 41 rehearsals. Nineteen non-profits and
one school group were served by the facility and supported by the Center's
staff. The building was literally bursting at the seams.
The season kicked off with the Crested Butte School of Dance and their end of
the year performances of Wizard of Oz, Street Scene, and Soundtrax with the
community's children from three to twelve and up strutting their stuff
across the Center's stage. The Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association
packed the house with a showing of the film Seasons for National
Trails Day. The Mountain Roots Food Project made waves during
Restaurant Week with the screening of Fresh, celebrating food
architects around the country boldly reinventing the food
system with sustainable agriculture initiatives.
Both the Crested Butte Mountain Theatre and the
Crested Butte Music Festival had some of their best
productions in their history at the Center this summer.
The Mountain Theatre sold over 1,500 tickets to
their smash hit, Oklahoma!. The over 50 community
cast members from five years old to 80 got kudos
for it being the best rendition of the musical an
audience had ever seen. The Crested Butte
Music Festival sold over 2,600 tickets to their
productions at the Center overall, with
Alpenglow Free Concert Series Locals Night — Doctor Robert
and Better Late than Never rock the Center’s outdoor stage.
6 CENTER FOR THE ARTS FALL NEWSLETTER 2011
Carmen, Cinderella, and A Big Nightmare Music all selling out. Carmen in
particular was praised for being the best production of the opera many
had seen, with a level of artistry and performance that reset the Music
Festival's bar even higher.
“This is our 15th summer working with the Center,” says Susan
Gellert, Crested Butte Music Festival Director of Marketing and
Communications, “It is a long relationship and an important one. We
wouldn't have been able to hold our events without it.”
Six Public Policy forums, the Journey to the Roof of the World
performance by the Tibetan Gaden Shartse Monastery, Dansummer and
the new Crested Butte Film Festival all came to the Center to share their
art with the community. The Center hosted 12 inspiring films of the
inaugural Crested Butte Film Festival, while Matchstick Productions
ramped up excitement for the upcoming winter ski season with the
premier of Attack of La Niña.
Budding artists honed their techniques in two plein air painting
workshops held in conjunction with the Crested Butte Plein Air
Invitational. And the Arts Alliance showed their strength in numbers with
a collaborative Day of the Arts celebration in July and a special fundraiser,
Mead Metcalf and the Ladies Who Lunch, to help further their efforts to
make Gunnison to Gothic a nationally recognized arts destination.
With the facility so packed, Center productions during the heat of the
summer focused on the still wildly popular outdoor Alpenglow concerts
with over 7,000 people convening on the lawn to enjoy friends, food
and a vast array of music with the likes of the funky blues of Lipbone
Redding, rocking country with Amber Leigh, Western swing with the Hot
Club of Cowtown and Ghana-infused beats with Paa Kow's By All Means.
Come August Center productions were allowed to shine with Robert
Earl Keen selling out in an unprecedented five days. Classical piano
virtuoso, Alpin Hong, and bluegrass legend, John McEuen, came
together for a live experiment in melding techniques, with the intimacy
of the Center's theatre allowing the audience to eavesdrop on and
interact with the creative process of professional artists on the edge of
invention. Anne and Pete Sibley's ephemeral voices lifted the stage with
the people's music of bluegrass, while Spring Creek livened them up with
a contagiously energetic show releasing their newest CD, Hold on Me.
The Piper Gallery provided a public venue for eight local artists as
well as an Artists of the West Elks group show. Graffiti and multi-media
artist Jesse Blumenthal; painter, muralist, art restorer, set designer and
teacher Vitek Kruta; watercolorist Anne Kinder; photographer J.C.
Leacock; leather artist Kiki Dotzler; bookbinder Jennifer Rose; painters
Neil and Clifford Windsor; and ceramicist Laura Elm displayed an
incredible variety and breadth of art for the community.
With all of that activity, the Center is looking forward to a little
break during the fall months. But never fear, we'll be cooking up the
most fantastic Winter Season you've ever laid eyes on just as the snows
begin to fly.
Summer Fundraising a Smashing Success
S
UMMER FUNDRAISING charged out of the gate in full force and
never stopped until crossing the finish line with jaw-determined
board members, dedicated and passionate organizers, relentless and
generous supporters, and organized and diligent staff. While definitive
numbers are still coming in, all the efforts are paying off in over
$98,500 raised, over $10,500 than last year.
Tour de Forks, the seminal series of summer fundraising efforts,
topped last years numbers by $2,300, raising $51,000 overall. Of the
15 events, seven sold out or oversold, kicking off with Jason Vernon's
stunning display of an over the top menu with more courses than you
could imagine. “Each summer is unique,” says Tour de Forks master
Kathy Barnhart, “But this summer featured more entertainment than in
the past. Seems a given that music should be a part of the package.”
Roy Orbison on the outdoor big screen at the Esposito home was a
huge hit. Dr. Robert at the Block Party on Mulligan Drive a smashing
success. Mead Metcalf in his own home and Greg Winslow on piano at
the McCays were all some of the entertainment highlights.
The women were out in full force, packing in three events “just for
the ladies.” They learned to fish and bird at the pARTners luncheon at
Betsy Sherratt's riverside home, were treated to a high altitude
fashion show at Maxwell's, and surprised by exquisite ice cream cone
cuisine by Ashley Odom of Feast & Merriment at the beautiful home
of Kathy Barnard.
After all that eating, Motown was a riotous (and aerobic) success as
the dance floor gyrated with over 160 people raising the roof and
$25,500 dollars for the Center, over $4,200 more than last year and
several thousand dollars beyond the expectations of even the most
optimistic organizer. Old fashioned malts, sundaes and bacon-wrapped
hot dogs, “The food was fantastic,” brags organizer Patsy Hall of
Michael Marchitelli's diner-licious cuisine. To garnish the evening,
bidders walked away with trips to Italy, Costa Rica; Ireland; Spain;
Canada and France; original artwork by local artists, hand-crafted
jewelry, wine baskets, and Mah Jongg lessons.
Topping off the season was the over-sold, always uproarious Chefs
on the Edge event, garnering $22,000 — $4,000 more than last year.
As usual, servers, dishwashers and sous chefs cheered on their favorite
chef as Mike Marchitelli auctioned everything off from a coveted
judge's chair to bacon buttercream shots by Soupcon's Jason Vernon.
The chefs were given elk tenderloin, raw shrimp, red and green
peppers, fresh spinach, whole wheat orzo, leeks, basil and fresh green
beans in their grocery bags, with Colorado peaches standing proud as
the luscious Secret Ingredient. In the end, it was Jason's finesse, soft
hand and attention to detail that won him the crown for the third year
in a row, says Head Judge and Private Chef Tim Egelhoff. But Tim
commended all the chefs, including Jason's contenders David Wooding
of Maxwell's and Ben Becker of Garlic Mike's. “David took a big risk
with his liquid nitrogen dish of peach ice cream, and Ben tackled a
difficult technique with his stuffed elk tenderloin,” said Tim, “but Jason
held that slight edge of finesse, such as his shrimp topped with fried,
julienned leeks that resembled really thin golden angel hair pasta.”
CENTER FOR THE ARTS FALL NEWSLETTER 2011 7
25th Anniversary of
The Center Approaches
I
N 2012, the Center for the Arts moves into its 25th Anniversary celebration year.
“The past is our prologue,” says current Center Board President Gail Digate, “And
our past shows us we are sustainable. Our history mirrors financial stability, we
have built on our strengths, and we have a vision for the future.”
Our past. From a dilapidated county shop to a facility that houses world class
acts of music, dance, theatre, comedy. From an Alpenglow for 100 people at the
Depot, to the community gathering of over 1,000 it is today. A cultural hub, where
Robert Earl Keen entertains a foot-stompin’ crowd.
organizations such as Crested Butte Search and Rescue, the Crested Butte Mountain
Theatre, Crested Butte School of Dance, and Crested Butte Music Festival come to
share their events. In 2010 alone, the Center welcomed over 26,000 people through its doors. The intimacy of the theatre continues to be one of its
major strengths. It is a facility that for 25 years has been well used and well loved. It is in organization, a quarter century in the making, that has
successfully weathered the economic storms and consistently morphing cultural trends.
Our present. The Board of Directors deemed 2011 the “Year of Cultivation” and we have done just that. The Center for the Arts continues to be a
crucial player in bringing together the Arts Alliance, a dynamic coalition of 13 arts organizations in the valley, dedicated to making Gunnison to
Gothic a nationally recognized destination for the arts. New partnerships were formed with the Crested Butte Dance Collective, Trailhead Children's
Discovery Museum and Studio Art School with a mutually supportive vision of expanding dance, children's and visual arts programming. “We have
created wonderful partnerships in the valley,” says Melissa Belkin, Board President-Elect, “And we want to be even more of a community center, to
include more activities than just performance. But we can't fully express these opportunities, because right now we just don't have the space.”
Our future. The number of attendees alone demonstrates the interest the community holds in the Center. The space it offers has allowed community
programs to grow. Yet there is still more to be accomplished. The Center has a vision of increased classroom space in its facility, so organizations such as
the Crested Butte School of Dance and the Crested Butte Dance Collective can really spread their wings. It dreams of stronger visual arts programming
with more workshops and an improved Piper Gallery. Multi-purpose rooms for lectures and gatherings. “We are excited at the different opportunities,”
says board member Sarah Keene, “We can see a Center full of energy with kids programs after school and lectures and performances at night.”
Come share the vision for the silver anniversary of the Center. Stay on the lookout for special events and programming to applaud this important
landmark. The Center of the future is a sustainable one, burgeoning with collaboration, an improved facility, inspirational programming and
enriching workshops. There is a place for everyone at the Center. Be sure to find yours in the 25th anniversary celebrations.
Arts Alliance Update
It has been a busy and productive summer for the Arts Alliance and we are
excited to provide a summary of our accomplishments:
WE HAD THREE GOALS. Our first goal: publish a magazine that
would be the go-to source for arts events this summer. Check! We
published the Arts Advisor Magazine, a free compendium of arts
events, listed by date, that allowed residents and visitors to know at a
glance what arts events are happening on a particular day. The
magazine aggregated the events of all 13 of our member visual and
performing arts organizations. It was distributed to area hotels to be
put in guest rooms and to restaurants and public spaces, and earned
praise for simplifying the summer arts schedule. The Arts Alliance
will publish this magazine each summer.
OUR THIRD GOAL: extend the arts season beyond its historical end on
Arts Festival weekend. Check! On this goal, the Arts Alliance cannot take
credit for accomplishing this, but we can take credit for taking
advantage! Arts Festival weekend which was Aug 6-7 this year fell as late
as it possibly could on the calendar, naturally extending the season. The
USA ProCycling Challenge brought a huge event to our area late in the
summer calendar, extending the season and around which we planned
extra arts events. And this year, the area is super fortunate to be host to
the first annual Crested Butte Film Festival which took place September
29th through October 2nd providing another huge arts event to draw
visitors to the area. In the case of the Film Festival, this is a start to
establishing a broad arts offering during fall foliage season.
OUR SECOND GOAL: establish a joint ticketing system that would
allow patrons to purchase tickets to any event at any box office. HalfBeyond meeting these three goals, the Arts Alliance has worked
check! We advanced as far as possible this year on joint ticketing by effectively and cooperatively to promote the arts in our valley. The arts
providing reciprocal access to each other’s ticketing. Many of our
are a low-impact, proven economic driver. They fill existing hotel rooms
organizations are working off existing ticketing contracts, and when
and they bring demonstrated spending to local businesses. Look for us
these are completed, we will be able to establish a single joint
in the coming months to document the extent of the positive economic
system that will allow a patron to purchase a ticket to any event at
impact, to jointly promote and market arts in the Upper East River
any box office.
Valley, and to work to enrich your lives through the arts.
ARTS ALLIANCE MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS:
Artists of the West Elks
Crested Butte Arts Festival
Crested Butte Dance Collective
Crested Butte Film Festival
Crested Butte Mountain Theatre
Crested Butte Music Festival
Crested Butte School of Dance
Center for the Arts
Gunnison Arts Center
Mt. Crested Butte Performing Arts Center
8 CENTER FOR THE ARTS FALL NEWSLETTER 2011
Trailhead Children’s Discovery Museum
The Studio Art School
Western State College
Proposed Expansion of the Center
Why Expand the Center for the Arts?
• The Town of Crested Butte has allocated the land to the Center for the Arts
and requested we partner with them in developing an expanded
Community Arts Center.
• The 2010 Town of Crested Butte Parks and Recreation Plan included the
footprint for the Center expansion. The Town will partner with the Center to
complete the expansion that will better serve the needs of the community.
• There is a need for new and improved arts spaces in Crested Butte. This
includes space allocated to the Crested Butte School of Dance, the Trailhead
Children’s Discovery Museum, the Crested Butte Mountain Theatre and the
Crested Butte Music Festival.
• Winter 2010 survey results show that ticket holders would like to see the
following amenities in the Center’s expansion plan: a multi-purpose room,
a dance studio, classrooms, an improved backstage area and enhanced
concessions including a catering kitchen.
• As the needs of the families and children of our community increase, an
expanded Center is needed in order to effectively serve our future
generation in years to come.
What About the Town Ownership of
The Land and Facilities?
• On December 20, 2010, the Center entered into a new 50-year lease with
the Town of Crested Butte.
• The Center does have the option to purchase the land and facilities from
the Town of Crested Butte. However, the Center Board believes raising funds
to renovate and expand the facility, including the establishment of an
endowment fund, is our top priority.
• Twenty four years ago, Gunnison County owned the land and building where
the Center is currently located. The County exchanged the land with the Town
of Crested Butte for the current property that is utilized for their maintenance
sheds. The County’s intention in making this exchange was to support the
Town of Crested Butte in creating an arts center for the community.
• The Center belongs to our community — we all have a stake and
investment in the success of this project!
What is the Difference From the Last Time
The Center Tried to Expand?
• In 2003-2004, a 47,000 sq. ft. expanded facility was proposed. That idea
included two new theatres and involved building on the tennis courts and ball
field north of the Current Center. There was strong feedback that the proposed
building was too large and in the wrong location. We learned that people
cared about the existing Center and in preserving the location of the ball field.
• In 2007, a second plan was presented which included a 40,000 sq. ft. twosite proposal including a 400 seat theatre on Gothic Field with an overall
price tag of $20 million. The fundraising feasibility study indicated it was
possible to raise $8-$12 million at that time.
• The current plan for the Center represents many years of listening to the
community, a wide spectrum of arts organizations, the Town of Crested
Butte and various professional consultants. The result is a proposed Center
expansion which is responsive to the needs of our local and tourist
audience, families and arts and civic organizations.
• The new plan is for a 23,000 sq. ft. expansion and enhancement of the
existing Center for the Arts with a price tag of $10 million. The Trailhead
Children’s Discovery Museum has committed to be a fundraising partner
with the Center. We believe this is a realistic goal and the new building will
serve the Gunnison Valley for many years to come.
CENTER FOR THE ARTS FALL NEWSLETTER 2011 9
Marj O‘Reilly
pARTners Volunteer Coordinator
Tour de Forks Celebrate the
Center Committee Coordinator
Center for the Arts
Board of Directors
Tour de Forks Dinner Auction with Maxwell’s
David Wooding and Marj O’Reilly.
10 CENTER FOR THE ARTS FALL NEWSLETTER 2011
New Center Board Member Marj O'Reilly
“W
E BOUGHT THE UGLIEST HOUSE ON THE STREET with the best
view,” exclaims Marj O'Reilly with her ear-to-ear grin, “We could
see Snodgrass one way and Meridian Lake the other and we never
looked back. Willing to take a risk, and have a dream with lots of hard
work, this house soon became our 'home.'”
Marj and husband David were looking for a mountain home to retire
to that fateful spring vacation of 1996. They looked at Snowmass and
Steamboat, but the mountains in Mt. Crested Butte reminded them of
those in Glacier Park from their homestate of Montana. Friendly smiles
on Elk Avenue and the easy-to-get-to-know community sealed the deal.
It's easy to surmise why Mt. Crested Butte might have felt so comfortable
to Marj, when you look at her small town, remote lifestyle roots.
Although Marj was born in the big city of Chicago, she spent most of
her childhood growing up on a family farm near the U.S.-Canadian border
in the tiny rural town of Big Sandy in north central Montana. An
agricultural community nestled at the foot of the Bear Paw mountains, Big
Sandy serves as home to only around 1,000 people. Married to David at
21, at 23 the two moved to an even tinier agricultural community in
Montana — Rudyard, population 550. There she began her long-standing
career in the classroom. For three years she and David, a high school
guidance counselor, helped shape the future of Montana's youth.
When they got invited to teach up in Alaska the couple sold their car,
bought a truck and drove the Alcan highway up to Fairbanks. “It was
another great experience in isolation,” she laughs, recounting tales of
eating moose meat and rutabaga at a friend's house for dinner. They
spent two years hovering near the chilly circumference of the Arctic Circle.
After obtaining graduate degrees from University of Northern Colorado
in Greeley, Marj and David finally settled in Barrington, Illinois where she
began working in staff development in the schools in the northwest
suburbs of Chicago. There, she modeled new approaches in the teacher's
own classrooms, demonstrating the positive effects with actual students.
The home they bought in Mt. Crested Butte in 1996 was in desperate
need of some work. And so for years the couple came to Crested Butte in
the summers, with David completely gutting the home they had bought
sight unseen, and remodeling it. When they left Barrington after 30 years
and moved to Mt. Crested Butte, Marj segued easily into supervising the
student teachers from Western — traveling to Lake City and Montrose in
addition to monitoring those in Crested Butte and Gunnison.
“It is wonderful to see the future with the young teachers,” she beams.
A full-time resident since 2002, Marj now gets to enjoy Crested Butte
and its community year-round as a retiree from her 33 year teaching
career. She came to be involved with the Center through the simple and
seemingly innocent task of buying a ticket. “I walked in and they asked
me if I wanted to be involved in pARTners.” That was five years ago.
Since that time, Marj has held the illustrious position of organizing
pARTners sentinel fundraiser — Tour de Forks — for two seasons.
Hers is a liking for the classical acts — the ballet, Alpin Hong. David
leans towards the country-western shows. But just like the smiles on Elk
Avenue that drew her here, Marj most enjoys the connections she's able
to make through the Center. Indeed, it is a respect for the people of the
Center and what they do that calls her to serve on the Board of Directors.
“The role the Center plays is vital,” she concludes, “It is a draw for so
many people to connect with others and to be entertained in a wide
variety of ways.”
As Marj peers into the future of the Center, she looks forward to
expanding the facility in order to enhance the opportunities for the
performers as well as the guests. And of course, she loves the idea of
providing more space for classrooms.
Center Supporters Julia and Andy Shoup
T
HE YEAR WAS 1985, JULIA AND HER HUSBAND never intended to
buy a second home, so far from their well-established roots in
Shreveport, Louisiana. They came to visit a friend at Nicholson Lake.
There were only two houses for sale - they bought one of them.
Even after all these years, Julia says, she has never tired of the
bountiful natural beauty or the accepting community. When her
husband died, however, Julia turned to the community looking to
become more involved. She hooked up with the Butte Beauties, many of
whom regularly attended Center productions. This peaked Julia's interest
in the organization, leading her to become a member of the Board of
Directors, and subsequently serving nine years there. Through that
volunteer work, Julia found herself not only making new friends and
keeping busy while supporting the arts, she found herself learning new
skills, and being exposed to a variety of art opportunities that otherwise
might not have crossed her path.
Julia and Andy married in 2000. Luckily for Julia, Andy fell in love
with Crested Butte just as much as she did, changing his typical
mountain destination of Snowmass, to the East River Valley. At first his
children were suspicious — go to a remote mountain town at the end of
the road? But it only took one visit to sell them as well. From this place,
the melded families of Julia and Andy have migrated to Crested Butte.
Julia's daughter, Glena Galloway, and Andrew Shoup, Andy's son, are
both now raising their own families in the valley.
The arts play a big role in the lives of the Shoups. As a watercolor
and acrylic painter herself, and a former member of the Paragon
Gallery, Julia has brought attention to developing the visual arts
program at the Center, and has loved the opportunities the Center offers
with the adult painting workshops. Andy served two terms on the
Crested Butte Music Festival Board of Directors. While Julia loves acts for
the “older crowd” like Judy Collins, she says she wants to support the
variety that is available at the Center. Andy enjoys the aspect of the
Center as a central meeting place, as arts organizations county- wide
produce their own shows there. Some of his favorites have been the
musicals from the Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, and the opera by the
Crested Butte Music Festival.
The upcoming Center expansion is something both are looking
forward to.
“The plan is good,” attests Julia, “The idea of a 250-seat auditorium is
wonderful for intimacy. The expansion of the Piper Gallery on the
ground level — a needed change.” She is also looking forward to a
Center alive with classroom opportunities, as children pack the house
after school becoming inspired as they participate in the arts.
Julia understands the perceived difficulties of fundraising, having
become an integral part of one of the Center's crucial financial
campaigns. “Most people have a horror of asking people for money,”
she admits, “But I found people feel flattered to be invited. I got a lot
of positive responses and felt encouraged. You're raising money for a
great non-profit so it's not hard when you get over your own selfconsciousness about it.”
As a supporter of both the Crested Butte Music Festival and the
Center for the Arts, Andy believes the expansion of the Center and the
creation of the Mt. Crested Butte Performing Arts Center are working
well together. “Both are needed and both offer a good service,” he says.
“They are two parts of a whole,” agrees Julia, “The things the
expanded Center will serve and the things the Music Festival will serve
with the Performing Arts Center will come to serve all the needs of the
community and the Arts Alliance. I think the arts community has a great
future in Crested Butte.”
“The location of the Center is so good,” she continues, “It's the
centerpiece when you come into town, right after the school. That's very
attractive. It's going to keep Andy and I alert and alive wanting to get
the expansion built!”
CENTER FOR THE ARTS FALL NEWSLETTER 2011 11
SUMMER SEASON FRIENDS
Alpengardener, Ltd.
Blackline Entertainment
Bob Huckins Construction
Clear Rivers Skin Care & Waxing
Colorado Legacy Properties
Community Banks of Colorado
Crested Butte Events
Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte Rotary Club
Electrical Logic Lighting, Inc.
George & Phyllis Mitchell
Milky Way
Owens Property Management
Sign Guys & Gal
Sunlit Architecture
Princess Wine Bar/
Coffee House & Western Design Co.
Western Pilates
Yoga for the Peaceful
ALPENGLOW SUPPORTERS
ACME Liquor
Crested Butte Bank
Daniel J. Murphy Architect
The Last Steep
Little Red Schoolhouse
Rocky Mountain Trees & Landscaping
BEVERAGE SPONSORS
ACLI-MATE • Camp 4 Coffee
Tour de Forks Event — Dinner & A Movie