Join us for a unique European-inspired event at the Thompson Barn in River Valley Ranch September 9&10th. The Schubert MiniFest shines a light on the intimate connection between music and nature, while celebrating the rich diversity of artistic styles and cultural backgrounds in our place and time. Indulge yourselves in two 75-minute sets of chamber music with a 90-minute intermission to enjoy a picnic with an idyllic backdrop of Mt. Sopris on the RVR grounds (PYOP, pack your own picnic). Leave 2023 behind, we’re going back to 1800s Vienna!

Each year we hear folks say, “Mountain Fair is my favorite weekend of the year,” and in its 52nd year, we felt that community love for fair-time in each nook and cranny of our three-day celebration of art and community spirit.
Click into the post for full gratitude and acknowledgments.

Once recipients are chosen for the annual Artist Fellowship Program, we ask for a follow up report at the end of the year to learn about how and what the funding allowed the artist to do. This is the best part of the program, learn about the 2022 recipients and the exciting work they’ve been creating.

Presenting two new exhibitions opening in the gallery; "Use is Beauty" by Justin Squier, featuring mixed media sculpture as well as "The Unimagined Place" featuring artwork by Carbondale Clay Center Residents Brian Chen and Gabby Gawreluk. There will be an opening reception First Friday, July 7 from 5-7pm with an artist talk at 5:30pm. Both shows will be on display through August 10, weekdays 10am-5pm.

Mountain Fair is seeking a new Vendor Liaison. This person is the primary point of contact for all vendors, managing the application and selection process, attendance and details from beginning to end. This part-time contract position requires hours throughout the year, and reports to the Mountain Fair Chief of Operations and Carbondale Arts Executive Director.

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With great excitement we reveal the winning design for the 52nd Mountain Fair. You’ll be able to find this beauty on a wide selection of shirts as well as as archival quality posters. Be sure to get to the Fair early as shirts go quickly. Or better yet, sign up to volunteer (4+ hours) for a special edition “Friend of Fair” shirt. Volunteer sign ups coming soon, stay tuned! This year’s selected designer is Riley Hutchens of Basalt.

Through a series of serendipitous conversations, Carbondale Arts has partnered with WE-cycle, the Roaring Fork Valley’s bikeshare program that will be launched in Carbondale this summer. 

Carbondale Arts became the connector through their relationships with Town of Carbondale, RFTA, funders and their expansive network of local artists via the Carbondale Creative District directory.  Together the two organizations were able to review candidates to select a local artist to place their work on several of the bikes and kiosks.

Para Mi Madre es una exposición con jurado que se inaugura este otoño en Carbondale Arts y que invita a artistas latinos a crear una representación visual de una carta de amor o una oda al concepto de la madre. Tenemos el honor de trabajar con los artistas con sede en Colorado Tony Ortega (Denver) y Armando Silva (Greeley), que serán los jurados de todas las obras presentadas a esta exposición.
18 de agosto: Las solicitudes se cierran.

Para Mi Madre is a juried exhibition opening this fall at Carbondale Arts inviting Latino artists to create a visual representation of a love letter or an ode to the concept of la madre, the mother. We are honored to work with Colorado-based artists Tony Ortega (Denver) and Armando Silva (Greeley) who will jury all submissions for this exhibition.
August 18: Applications close

We're always looking for fresh and inspiring ideas, new artists and techniques. Solo and group proposals welcome. Our 700+ sq ft award-winning gallery hosts all types of exhibitions, the gallery committee will thoroughly and thoughtfully evaluate each submission. ⁠ Application available in English and Spanish.

We like to take every opportunity to promote creativity within our community, but especially from within our office. Our beloved gallery manager and local celebrity, (especially after his performance in the fashion show as the Emperor) Brian Colley has made an artistic contribution to a new film coming out this spring, Paint featuring Owen Wilson. Some of Brian’s paintings will be in the movie! So we’re partnering with the Crystal Theatre for a special showing. This one-night-only event is SOLD OUT.

Friday, May 12 | 6pm & 9pm (Sold out)

Carbondale Arts is in search of someone invested in the diversity of our community. The purpose is to take a look at all of the ways we reach out to the community, identify challenges and opportunities in reaching certain populations. Our focus undoubtedly includes the Latinx community, but we're trying to make sure everyone in the community join in our programs and events. With the money we've received from Manaus, we'll be focusing on Mountain Fair, and we are seeking additional funding to look at other programs and at our facilities at greater depth, and really make sure we're including the whole community in what we do, ensuring Carbondale is a place that continues to be a wonderful home for us all.

The booth allows local artists to exhibit and sell their artwork in a cooperative, inexpensive way. Gallery space is very limited, and artwork is juried. Accepted artisans must be current members of Carbondale Arts and reside in an "816" ZIP code area. Submissions must be your own handmade (not manufactured, not imported) work. Criteria for judging include quality and uniqueness of items.

Apply here by May 15

Carbondale Arts partners with FirstBank in Carbondale to showcase new artists twice a year. April through September of 2023, enjoy works by Jennifer Bencomo and Tess the Mess!

You can now plan for summertime creativity for the kiddos. Our camps range from half-day to full day camps that are a few days to a few weeks long and are available to students from 7-14 years old. We offer camps in the visual and performing arts that range from painting, songwriting, hip-hop dance and music production and more.

View Schedule

Join us for the opening of “What Is This Gold Toothed Beast?” by mixed media artist Kia Neill as well as a group exhibition by the artists of Studio Arts+Works (SAW).

An opening reception is open to the public, First Friday March 3rd from 5-7:00pm with an artist talk at 5:30pm. A closing reception and artist talk with the SAW artists is scheduled for Thursday, April 6, from 5-7pm.

The 52nd Annual Carbondale Mountain Fair Poster Design contest is ready to roll. Our theme this year, Where The Wild Things Grow, is a celebration of the flora and fauna (and possibly fairies!) that inhabit our greater mountain community. Snowy peaks, rocky crags, lodgepole forests, rivers and streams; we share our backyard with wild neighbors who know every nook and cranny of our home through paw, hoof, root, mycorrhiza, feather and fin! ⁠Join in the fun July 28-30, 2023.

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The Valley Visual Art Show is the longest-standing local’s art show in the Roaring Fork Valley, which began in 1980. This year 60 artists (within an “816” zip code) are featured in a wide variety of media.

The show is on display through February 23. Be sure to vote for People’s Choice, cash prizes for the top three winners, announced on Friday, February 17th.

Green Is the New Black Fashion Extravaganza returns with the never-seen and highly coveted 2020 show, Mirror Mirror. This dynamic production of shadowy fairytales will bring back its most alluring attributes; local and regional designers and models, live performances and dance with multimedia storytelling.

This crowning event rings in the spring March 9-11th, transforming the Carbondale Rec Center into a glitzy fashion house. It’s not to be missed!

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We're delighted to share the collective success of the 2022 Deck the Walls Holiday Market. In just 5 weeks time, those of you who shopped local and small were able to generate nearly $128k for our local artists – people right here in our community. No shipping costs or middle men, just direct support of our local entrepreneurs and creatives. ⁠Thank you, thank you, thank you!

We really do believe it’s the most wonderful time of the year when our holiday market opens for the season! Deck the Walls features 60+ local and regional artists, selling unique and high-quality, handmade items. There are several special events throughout, including live music and caroling performances, a visit from Santa, and a pop-up Farmer’s Market!

Thursday 11/17: CA Member’s Only Preview and Mingle
Friday 11/18: Deck the Walls opens to the public. Check special events and holiday hours here.