My experience as a writer-in-residence at the Colorado Art Ranch in Steamboat Springs, spring 2008, was absolutely marvelous. I have done numerous artists' residencies but never one where the focus was on community interaction, building of relationships, and finding ways for the arts to enhance people's lives and solve problems. The CAR is absolutely unique and vital in this way. And their Artposiums are inspiring, thought provoking and extremely innovative. Currently I am thrilled to have been chosen to be in a CAR-sponsored exhibition, "33 Ideas," to be held in a public art space at the Denver International Airport this spring. I love how CAR continues to nurture its involvement with past participants -- it's a longterm relationship I value.
I have attended 3 Artposiums, including being the local coordinator for the Artposium in Steamboat Springs. Everyone involved in the organization is incredibly dedicated, talented and inspiring. They are creative "out-of-the-box" thinkers with an uncanny ability to find common threads linking topics, ideas and people together to include ART in the mix.
I had no previous experience of Colorado Art Ranch when I received information about their ART-FOOD weekend in southwest Colorado, but it sounded like a great getaway from the Denver Metro area. The event far exceeded my expectations! My husband and I had a wonderful time and met so many interesting and convivial people from all over the country. The field experience at the farm was great -- the only disappointment was being forced to choose between three equally enticing jaunts. All the venues and meals were interesting and enjoyable, and the presentations innovative and thought-provoking. We certainly plan to continue joining Art Ranch events in the future.
I was an art buddy for Colorado Art Ranch in the spring of 2009. I found the writers and artists to be stimulating and friendly. I appreciate having such a high caliber of writers and artists to associalte with, it's not often we get that opportunity in a small rural area like Trinidad. I hope they make it back here and I get to do it again.
I was an artist in residence at Colorado Art Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, in 2008 and it was a positive experience on an artistic as well as a personal level. During my time at the residency, I created two installations as well as some lovely prints (that I normally wouldn't have time to pursue but thanks to a big snowstorm had a chance to work on these long-postponed prints) and a few experiments. (My work from the Ranch is on my website www.carolhummel.com) In addition to my artwork, though, my interaction with fellow artists as well as participants in the Artposium expanded my knowledge, thinking, and creativity... plus we had LOTS of FUN!! The facilities were fantastic; the people involved with the Ranch are amazing; our assistants ("art buddies") were wonderful. I would highly recommend the Colorado Art Ranch to any artist interested in creating the growing and urge ALL potential donors to support this very, very worthy non-profit.
Colorado Art Ranch accepted my proposal to be an Artist in Residence for their Salida residency in the summer of 2009. Both as an artist and from a personal perspective the experience was amazing. The organization was friendly, supportive, professional and organized. They went that extra mile to make sure I had everything I needed. Through fostering relationships with Salida Art Works, and in turn the people of Salida, Colorado Art Ranch enabled me to experience not only an artist residency, but the warm welcome and acceptance of the Salida community. Keep up the great work!
I have worked with Colorado Art Ranch in Delta County, where my husband and I own and operate an organic orchard. The participants came to our land for a morning of conversation, writing, and education about growing organic fruit. It was magical ... the participants were so invested in the subject, so willing to learn, so eager to engage with new ideas. I attended the rest of the artposium and was thrilled with the caliber of the presenters, the freshness of the ideas being bandied about, and the overall warmth and creative atmosphere fostered by the organizers. It was an excellent chance for visitors and locals in our community to congregate, share ideas, share meals, share problems and have creative and amiable discussions. Leading up to the artposium, my experience with the staff was marvelous. Organized, professional, warm and personal. I am a fan and would work and play with this organization at every given opportunity.
I have Attended 6 Artposiums. I don't think I can pick a favorite. We have explored the topics Rivers, Mapping, Humor, Land Use, Sex, and Food. The presenters in depth experience with the topic and the inter-active nature of the Artposium is so inspiring that it's all I can think about for weeks afterwords. If you like TED then you will love an Artposium, and you won't pay an arm and a leg for it. I have also so enjoyed disovering Colorado. I've followed the 'Nomads" to Salida, Steamboat Springs, Denver, Durango, Delta County and Trinidad. I want to return to all of these new best destinations. The Colorado Art Ranch Residents have shown me the genuis, the inspiration and the drive that is behind the creation of great art. I can hardly wait until the next Artposium in Salida, Wade in the Water. This is more than education, this is truly raising the creative capital of Colorado and the world