Mel Yemma

Check out this great professional development opportunity organized by the Center for the Arts Literary Arts Department. 

Computer programming book author Bruce Eckel (author of Thinking in Java, Thinking in C++, and Atomic Kotlin) leads you through modern web development to create a sleek, fully functional and sustainable website. Using the static site generator Hugo, and free hosting platform Netlify, learn the architecture behind modern websites that you maintain yourself, for free. Produces a responsive, secure-site that works across platforms: desktop, phone and tablet interfaces. For an example of a site built using this combo, see wintertechforum.com. Please bring your laptop, and create a free account with github.com. Suitable for all levels.

Click here to sign up.

February 2, 2018

1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Registration: $50.

Evolve Coworking Space, 111 Elk Ave. 

Check out this professional development opportunity presented by the Center for the Arts Literary Arts Department: 

Need help keeping on track with your writing? Generate momentum and discover new aspects in your writing in this half-day writing and motivational workshop with award-winning writer and Writing Strides founder Alissa Johnson. Explore new parts of an existing project, or a new idea with fun prompts, writing exercises and the opportunity to share.

Click here to sign up.
When:  Sunday, January 20
Time:  9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost:  $35  

The Crested Butte Arts Festival will be August  2-4 , 2019. Approximately 165 artists will line Historic Elk Avenue (a certified Colorado Creative District) – nestled in the majestic Rocky Mountains. Sales at this show continue to increase as word spreads about the quality of artists exhibiting after a very competitive jury process. The Crested Butte Arts Festival is gaining national attention and sponsorship and draws a savvy, sophisticated art-buying clientele.

Application deadline is March 1, 2019. 

Check out this recent article in the Crested Butte News by local creative Dawne Belloise about the ever-evolving Crested Butte Creative District. 

The ever-evolving Crested Butte Creative District

When the coal mines of Crested Butte shut down in the mid 1950s, the new ski area that opened in 1962 began attracting a demographic far different from the people and families of the late 1800s whose men came to work below ground.

Following on the heels of those first ski bums, many of whom were Western State College students and athletes, came the artists—the musicians, the actors, the writers, the painters, the dancers and the dreamers who saw beauty in the surroundings and the potential to live a nonconforming creative life in a tiny, dusty town in the back of beyond.

Today, Crested Butte is a haven for “creatives,” a made-to-order noun that expresses inclusivity of all aspects of creativity, from art to food and beyond. The reasons creatives flocked to this space at the end of the road are fairly obvious, as is their resulting influence on the town’s decades of evolution and aesthetic development.

Crested Butte was officially designated a Creative District by the state of Colorado in the summer of 2016. The expressed purpose is to develop cultural patronage so creatives and creative businesses thrive, by nurturing a vibrant creative culture in downtown Crested Butte. This is through support for local artists, increased collaboration between creative organizations, and increased visibility of the arts and creativity throughout the Creative District. At the same time, this designation helps preserve the fun, funky character and cohesive community identity that sets Crested Butte apart from other mountain resort towns.

Creative is a larger definition than just artistic. It’s a broader term, that the Crested Butte Creative District Committee (CDC) worked on to redefine what constitutes a creative and why. From this, a comprehensive valley-wide directory was organized with more than 90 businesses and individuals listed. Melissa Mason, chair of the CDC explains, “There are 300 businesses registered at the chamber of commerce, so we’re looking at one fifth of our businesses being part of the creative economy. Our Creative District designated and defined certain categories of creatives: craft food and beverages, design, film and media, heritage, literary arts, makers, performing arts, and visual arts.”

There are now four subcommittees focused on the areas of marketing, professional development, public art, and education. New in education is a mentorship program that partners with the Crested Butte Community School (CBCS). AP art students, who are working on their portfolio for college, are paired with a local artist. Mason says, “We’ve had huge success with the local artists sharing their expertise. The students get to see how a pro artist works in the world.”

The CDC also purchased a ceramic wheel (used to throw pottery) for the CBCS arts department. They also funded the school’s kindergarten arts class and helped with production costs for the dance production of Celebrate the Beat.

Crested Butte has teamed up with four other Creative Districts on the Western Slope to generate a 331-mile route through the neighboring creative districts of Paonia, Carbondale, Ridgway and Salida. Enabled by a $25,000 state grant, the corridor’s purpose is to invite tourists to lesser-known recreational destinations and experience the mountain towns of the western Rockies in an expanded adventure.

“The corridor is focused on the creative districts,” Mason says, “and part of the beauty of the Creative District is that it brings in visitors with a disposable income who have a low impact on our backcountry. It’s a marketing effort that says we’re not only an outdoor recreational town but we have a huge cultural scene. We want visitors to know there’s more than just mountain biking or skiing. We want them to know what else we have to offer culturally and we want to inform tourists of all the cultural events and options before they get here.”

“Marketing is a huge piece of what we’re doing,” but she also points out, “It’s not that we want to bring in more people, but more that we want to inform the people who are coming here of our cultural offerings so they can mountain bike as well as go to the Crested Butte Music Festival.”

Already more than one quarter, 27 percent, of visitors choose to come to Crested Butte solely to attend arts or cultural events. “There’s a tendency to think we’re only a sports town, but we have more creatives here than most towns and we have excellent cultural events,” Mason says, describing this as a creative economy.

“We don’t get a $20 million arts center in a community that doesn’t care about the arts. One of the cool programs we developed is a comprehensive calendar,” an overall, all-inclusive events listing at Gunnisonvalleycalendar.org, which the CDC created and funded. “We figured out that to have your event publicized online you had to post it in about 90 different places,” Mason says of the recognized need to develop a consistent online calendar where anyone can get pertinent information on valley-wide events from one searchable source. “KBUT stepped in and volunteered to manage the calendar.”

With a public art mandate now in the town code and law, Mason explains, “We have a public art policy. Prior to the code, there was no rhyme or reason as to how art got onto the streets. Now, two percent of any town capital improvement projects goes to public art. The ordinance also allows for the CDC to say where to put monies planned for art projects so that we’re not limited to the specific location of the capital improvement.”

Some of the recent public art projects include the mural in the public town bathrooms, and Mallardi Cabaret’s capital improvement, which features a metal sculpture in the lobby by blacksmith creative Ben Eaton. The Red Lamp Post and plaque on Elk Avenue, in front of Montanya’s, was one of the projects awarded to Jeremy Rubingh and commemorates the fight against a mine on Mt. Emmons, a.k.a. the Red Lady.

Professional development focuses on supporting working creatives and businesses in our community. Most recently, CDC paired up with the Crested Butte Center for the Arts to create a class on how to craft a résumé, how to write an intelligent bio and get professional photos or head shots, because creatives are sometimes not the best when it comes to marketing themselves. “They get the expertise they need to promote themselves. We pay for the majority of the class, which is basically a free, two-day class with headshots to help them get into galleries, or gigs, or magazines.”

In addition to the online calendar and creatives’ directory, the CDC also helps inform visitors and locals of what’s available in the community, bringing an awareness through a marketing campaign to buy from local creatives. “It’s another way for us to support our creatives and businesses by encouraging people in the community to buy from our own locals, from jewelry to show tickets. We don’t need to source things from Amazon or other online outlets, or even other places, because we have locals who can do it here.”

The Crested Butte creative community, cultural tourism and the many events have grown enough to warrant the massive expansion of the Crested Butte Center for the Arts. The district also includes the many art galleries exhibiting local artists and artisans.

Crested Butte has become known for its events such as the Gypsy Jazz Fest, the Mountain High Music Festival, the weekly concerts of Alpenglow and Live from Mt. Crested Butte!, the Crested Butte Arts Festival, the People’s Fair, the Plein Air (Art) Invitational, the Crested Butte Film Festival, the Crested Butte Dance Collective, the Crested Butte Dance Company, the Crested Butte Mountain Theatre—which is the oldest community theatre in Colorado—community radio KBUT, the Wildflower Festival, the Iron Pour, the Beer and Chili Fest, and the week-long community harvest celebration and passion play of the wild and earthy Vinotok, just to name a few of the creatives and events that keep this town funky and dynamic.

When you combine all of these happenings, there’s hardly a moment the town isn’t immersed in a cultural event.

The long-time local artists, the creatives, as well as the current influx of artisanal and art-appreciative residents, have further fueled the flavor and soul of Crested Butte, grooming it into a place that brings more visitors to the area who recognize its wide variety of aesthetic offerings. It’s a small art town that is the sort of place where people can find a true sense of community. Mason feels strongly, “We need to make sure people know about this amazing district. The outdoor aspect goes hand in hand with why artists are here. Look around you—you want to write a song, paint a painting, take a photo, create a sculpture.”

Check out our 2018 highlights and accomplishments: 

Crested Butte’s Creative District encourages you to shop and give creatively this holiday season! We’ve compiled a list of participating business and creatives who are participating in the 2018 Give Creatively Campaign.

From world famous painters and photographers, chefs and sommeliers, to makers and doers, Crested Butte has the gorgeous, the creative, the whimsy and even the weird. Read on to learn about the Crested Butte Creatives who are offering unique gifts and experience for you to gift this holiday season!

Click on each link below to see what creative discounts these businesses are offering this holiday season: 

The mission of the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum is to preserve and share the uniquely diverse cultural history of the Gunnison Valley. We make the past a living part of the future.

Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum From 1982-1993 there was no historical museum in the north end of the Gunnison Valley. Without a museum, there was no place to preserve and share the historic artifacts and stories that define and enrich our unique community. In 1993, a group of citizens formed the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum, motivated by the same desire to protect our rich history that prompted the Town of Crested Butte to become a National Historic District in 1974.  Local history is an important part of our identity and an economic driver in our tourist economy. By furthering our mission, the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum enhances both residents’ and visitors’ understanding of and appreciation for this special place. Give Creatively this holiday season and buy your loved ones a membership to the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum!

-Buy an Individual Membership and receive a historic CB postcard
-Buy a Family Membership and receive two historic CB postcards, and a CB shopping tote
-Buy a Business Membership and receive two historic CB postcards, one 8×10 historic CB print a CB shopping tote and mention on all social media accounts
-Buy a Supporter Membership or higher and receive two historic CB postcards, one 11×14 historic CB print, a CB shopping tote and 25% off all gift shop purchases for the months of December and January

All memberships are valid for a full year and include:
-free admission to the museum for duration of membership
-10% off all gift shop purchases for duration of membership
-discounted event tickets for duration of membership
-first notification of upcoming events

The best way to shop is coming into the historic Tony’s Conoco, home to the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum. Our address is 331 Elk Ave. We are open Daily 10-6 and accept cash, checks and all major credit cards. Memberships can also be purchased at crestedbuttemuseum.com

Third Eye Photography is a bi-coastal, award-winning studio offering a more personalized and boutique experience for your wedding day. Third Eye has been a photography studio for over 14 years in the Gunnison Valley specializing in Wedding Photograph, Videography and Portraiture.Third Eye Photography creates a relaxed, enjoyable and positive environment for our clients, capturing the most wonderful and candid moments with both photography and video.

Purchase a portrait session and get one digital file printable up to 5×7 FREE.

Direct contact with email is best- STUDIO@3rdeyephoto.net or visit our website at www.3rdeyephoto.net

Crested Butte Mountain Theatre’s mission is To entertain, educate and enrich the Crested Butte community and greater Gunnison Valley by providing a well-balanced theatrical season of high artistic quality each year. Crested Butte Mountain Theatre is the oldest community theatre in the state of Colorado, established in 1972. CBMT is a true community theatre that generations of Crested Buttians have grown to love and hold dear to their hearts.

Purchase an Adult Ticket to any 2019 production by January 31st and receive 2 FREE drink tickets with purchase.

Call CBMT at (970) 349-0366 and mention “Give Creatively” to purchase. Shop for play tickets on our website at www.cbmountaintheatre.org/boxoffice or come in to the office at 403 2nd Street. We accept cash, check, visa and mastercard. We are in the office 9am to 4pm.

3rd generation perfumer and local artist Sooner McKay will be offering CUSTOM FRAGRANCE DESIGN at “Yoga for the Peaceful” beginning In late November. Using an assortment of specially selected compound, essential and fragrance oils she can help you design a one-of-a-kind signature scent. A truly original gift, an essence you design with professional guidance and pure undiluted oils, that can be gifted to, and even named after, that special someone (including yourself).

Design from over 50 unique scents including single essences (Hyacinth, peach), flagship fragrances (China Rain, China Musk), and simple note scents (English Pear & Wildflower, Coco Sandalwood). Feel free to stop by and enjoy the beautiful fragrances and a complimentary cup of tea. This may truly be one of the most pleasurable holiday gift shopping experiences you’ll ever have! Complimentary gift wrapping with with every purchase.

Hours for consultation/no appointment necessary: 10 am – 5pm Wednesday through Sunday. (By appointment only Mondays and Tuesdays) in the front of the house at “Yoga for the Peaceful”, located at 326 Elk Avenue.Cash, check and credit card accepted. For more information contact Sooner at (970)596-9074 soonermckayart@gmail.com

*McKay’ mother and grandmother were both perfumers in Grand Junction, Colorado dating back to the early 1980’s. Their shops, “Scentsations” and “Good Scents” were beloved Western Colorado, women-owned, small businesses. Having been raised in the perfumeries, she went from apprentice to master perfumist, owning her own perfumery.

The first week of December (1st-8th) will be Children’s Picture Book Week and we will have a draw your own discount promotion you can use for your picture book purchase.  Townie Books staff is so excited to share all the amazing new children’s picture books this season that we wanted to highlight them by giving them a week of focus. If you have a child in your life this promotion is for you!! The best present you can give a child is a book and we have some gorgeous picture books that we are eager to share with you!

Draw a discount from 5%-40% on all children’s picture books the first week of December at Townie Books, 414 Elk Ave. Crested Butte, CO

RedLine Gallery fine arts includes acrylic, oils, mixed media, photography, ceramics and porcelain. Artist represented include Bren Corn, Blair Garth, Laura Elm, Colleen Everett, J C Leacock, Michael Mahoney, Heather Peterson, Mary Schmidt, and Sarah Schmidt.

Give Creatively with RedLine Gallery and receive 5% off purchase before 12/25 .

Visit RedLine Gallery at 429 Elk Ave, Crested Butte, CO from 12-6 p.m. or contact redlinegallerycb@gmail.com .

BiSH specializes in large scale, site-specific art installations including murals, mixed media, lighting, textiles, and event / venue embellishments. Transform your space into a truly unique experience for a holiday party, restaurant, business, or home.

Give the gift of a large scale art installation and receive a 10% discount for on-site art installation.

Explore BiSH Productions portfolio on the website and email or call for a consultation! http://www.bishproductions.org/

Lighting is something that is sometimes overlooked but can change the entire feeling about your space! Whether you want to replace an outdated existing fixture, have no lighting in your space and are wondering how to most affordably add comfortable and functional light, or just need to change a light bulb, the Design Shop can help!

Give the gift of the lighting this year this holiday season, a gift that keeps on giving! Give Creatively with Mountain Colors Design Shop and receive 25% off Lighting ordered before December 21st .

Visit the showroom located inside Mountain Colors Paint Store @ 301 Belleview Ave, Crested Butte. Or send us an email and we can drop ship items directly!

Tell your story with a compelling video! 10% OFF Promotional Video For a small business at https://petardopchev.com.

It is time to catch up with the 21st century and create an online presence for your business.

Shop Creatively with Kryptonite and receive a free evaluation of your business, and learn about what the best platform for your website is and how to go about creating one.

Visit https://kryptonitecreative.com to start your journey. 

Purchase a Gift Certificate at the Center for the Arts for 15% off.  **Gift Certificates for this promo are exclusively for use on classes or workshops ONLY in the Literary, Visual Arts, or Culinary Arts departments. Show tickets, memberships, etc. are not eligible.  

Check out our Winter lineup of classes in all three departments at www.CrestedButteArts.org and call 970.349.7487 to purchase.

Becky Chappell creates beautifully vibrant landscapes painted in pastel of Crested Butte or a unique, one of a kind lively mixed media and/or abstract painting.

Give the gift of fine art with Becky Chappell and receive 10% off any painting; 20% off before Dec. 15.

Shop in person by contacting Becky through email or phone; online at https://www.dailypaintworks.com/Artists/becky-chappell-6747 or my FB page: https://www.facebook.com/bchappellart/ Becky will accept payment through PayPal or Venmo or cash in person.

From The Ground Up is a boutique floral shop supplying the local community with fresh cut flowers, house plants, candles, books, locally made jewelry, greeting cards & home decor. We carry great gift items and seasonal holiday decor such as poinsettias, ornaments & holiday home decor!

Receive a free paperwhite bulb with any in-store purchase of $30.00 or more.  Applies to sales before Dec 25th.

Visit our shop at 423 Belleview, Unit 2- in the alley, directly behind SOMA.

Off season hours Wednesday- Friday 11-4pm On season hours Monday-Friday 10-5, Saturday 11-4 .

www.fromthegroundupflowers.com 

Bill Tintera creates wooden plaques that are made of basswood with original wood-burned calligraphy of quotations and poems, often enhanced with illustrations or low relief carving.  The plaques are suitable for wall hanging or shelf display.

Shop Creatively with Bill Tentera and receive 10% off all large wood plaques, offer good through 12/24.

Shop at Paragon Gallery, 132 Elk Ave in downtown Crested Butte  or check out www.tinteratreasures.com

Hours: 11-7 daily starting Nov 23, cash and credit cards accepted