Art Events

Special Events

Big Loud Silent Auction: The Big Loud Silent Auction is the Manitou Art Center’s signature fundraising event. Featuring works from local and regional artists (who receive 50 percent of the proceeds of sales), the BLSA is your opportunity to support the MAC and acquire original art. Auction runs through Monday, Oct. 31. Virtual and in-person bidding. 513 Manitou Ave. Information: manitoumade.com or 685-1861.

• Rocky Railways: Tylan Troyer and Maggie Quinn share Commonwheel Artists Co-op gallery for the month of October. Commonwheel Artists Co-op, 102 Cañon Ave. Information: commonwheel.com or 685-1008.
• Al B Johnson: Enjoy the artist’s vibrant, colorful work. Manitou Art Center, 513 Manitou Ave. Information: www.manitouartcenter.org or 685-1861.

“Beowulf and the Bard”: Manitou Springs High School students will perform in the Manitou Springs Elementary School auditorium, 110 Pawnee Ave. Enjoy small bites in the “lobby” while listening to local bassist Valerie Rosenkrantz before the show and tasty refreshments at intermission; proceeds support the MSSD14 Performing Arts Community. Play starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, and Saturday, Oct. 22.

Choral Music: Manitou Springs Middle School and High School students perform their fall choir concert under the direction of Abby Steen and accompanied by Rose Lyda. Guests can enjoy live music from Valerie Rosenkrantz and small bites in the MSES “lobby” before the concert. 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at 110 Pawnee Ave.

Art Classes

Sign Painting with SK Designs: Join Sandy and Kathy of SK Designs to paint a decorative 12-inch-round sign. All materials provided. Registration only. Noon Saturday, Oct. 22. Manitou Springs Library, 515 Manitou Ave. information: ppld.org/programs or 531-6333, ext. 7004.

FAB LAB: Make things, fix things and build things. Come and create cool projects. Learn how to use tools, expand your skills and expand your world. Kids younger than 13 should be with a parent. Participants can come to a single class or attend a series. Class sizes are limited to eight. 3:05-5 p.m. Wednesdays. Manitou Art Center, between 513 and 515 Manitou Ave. Information: www.concretecouch.org.

Makerspace Certification Classes: The Manitou Art Center offers certification classes for a variety of equipment in its makerspace. Most are free to MAC members and library card holders. Times and dates vary. 515 Manitou Ave. Information: www.manitouartcenter.org/learn.

Teaching Opportunity: The Pikes Peak Arts Council and the Small Business Development Center are seeking experienced artists to teach classes for Courses for Creatives. Artists will be compensated for their time for each class that they teach (typically $150 per class). Classes are usually taught from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on third or fourth Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays, at the Manitou Art Center. Apply at tinyurl.com/esmdcc3c.

Calls for Artists

“Art in the Stars”: Space ignites a desire to learn and generates a passion to explore that rises above any boundaries of race, nationality, creed or culture. “Art in the Stars” participants are challenged to create and submit original artwork. Students are encouraged to consider the diverse historical figures who broke boundaries to become a “first” or blazed trails for those who came after them. Acceptable formats include drawings, paintings, mixed media and digital media pieces. Only teachers, parents or legal guardians older than 18 may register to submit artwork on behalf of the artists. All entries must be submitted through ArtShowcase.SpaceFoundation.org by Friday, Dec. 16.

Manitou Springs Photo Contest: recognition of October being Arts Month, the city of Manitou Springs is hosting its annual photo contest. This year’s theme is “city life and who we are.” All photos are welcome, but should be square or horizontal. First place is $200 in Manitou money. Deadline is 11:59 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4. Information: bit.ly/MSPhotoContest.

2023 Manitou Visitors’ Guide: The Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce invites all community members, artists and graphic designers to submit their best cover art designs for a chance to be the featured artist on the official 2023 guide. The deadline for entry is Tuesday, Nov. 1. Any art submitted must depict Manitou and be a high-resolution digital file. Send submissions with the subject line “2023 Visitors Guide Cover” to briana@manitouchamber.com. Information: manitousprings.org or 685-5089.

2022 PPAC Microgrants: The Pikes Peak Arts Council will award $250 microgrants February-September (one each month). To be considered for a microgrant, please complete the application by the first of the month. PPAC also will award two $500 microgrants in October. These funds can be used for projects or supplies needed for visual or performing arts. Apply at www.pikespeakartscouncil.org.

RMFI Photo Contest: Rocky Mountain Field Institute will begin accepting photography submissions for “Nature!” on Tuesday, Nov. 1. Submit your entries via email to contest@rmfi.org. All files must be a minimum of 300 dpi. Please indicate which category each of your entries will represent: restoration, mountains, flora/fauna or interaction. $10 donation per entry or three entries for $25. Winning works will be displayed around the area and win a prize from the contest’s sponsors. Information: www.rmfi.org/photocontest or 471-7736.

Ongoing Art Exhibits

“Rocky Railways: Tylan Troyer and Maggie Quinn share Commonwheel Artists Co-op gallery for the month of October. Commonwheel Artists Co-op, 102 Cañon Ave. Information: commonwheel.com or 685-1008.

Al B Johnson: Enjoy the artist’s vibrant, colorful work. Johnson shares a 12-year body of work exhibiting his love of color and his fondness for algorithmic representations. Manitou Art Center, 513 Manitou Ave. Information: www.manitouartcenter.org or 685-1861.

“Manitou Bottles and Bottling Plants”: In tthe early 1900s, Manitou Springs was the capital of bottled mineral water. Learn about the mystery of the town’s “effervescent and healthful mineral spring waters” and see the world-famous Ute Chief Gusher Bottle and other colorful bottles that helped put Manitou Springs on the world map. Manitou Springs Heritage Center and Museum, 517 Manitou Ave. Information: manitouspringsheritagecenter.org or 685-1454.

“Van Briggle — The Manitou Connection”: See one of the largest exhibits of Van Briggle pottery in the Pikes Peak region. Learn more about Artus and Anna Van Briggle’s creation of this iconic pottery works and the connection of its later ownership and operations to historic Manitou Springs. Check website for hours. 517 Manitou Ave. Information: manitouspringsheritagecenter.org or 685-1454.