We’re all about the plan. We meet, we talk, we listen.

It’s that last part that is the key to the increasing quality of everything we do at the Center for the Arts. It’s the reason our class structures are unparalleled, the reason our public events grow in attendance and the reason our reputation for well-designed educational outreach programs has made us the go-to organization for enhancing the lives of everyone in our community.

This summer that planning paid off. We just completed our best summer class series yet, the Wild West Fermentation Fest succeeded beyond expectations, and, with your support, we were awarded the First Western Trust #wealthisabout $7,000 nonprofit grant. To top it off, our sixth annual Summer of Music ended Wednesday when Nigel Hall and his astonishing talent took us over the finish line.

To the Summer of Music donor/sponsors who consistently support the arts and made that annual series possible, we thank Alpine Bank, city of Glenwood Springs, Coldwell Banker, Bighorn Toyota, KMTS, Glenwood Springs Brew Garden, Balcomb and Green PC, Garfield County, Gould Construction, Climate Control, Garfield and Hecht PC, GWS Post Independent, Lowes, 19th St. Diner, Glenwood Hot Springs, Stifel, Redi Services LLC, Hotel Colorado, First Line Security, Dominos, Masonic Lodge #65, Glenwood Springs Chamber Association, Gran Farnum Printing, Green Tech Electrical, 20/20 Eye Care and The Reynolds Co.

World Class

Not one to rest on our laurels, we’ll take a brief recess and then deliver the goods when we begin our Fall/Spring 2016-2017 semester.

In 2011, Re-2 had to make difficult budget choices necessitating a four-day school week. They turned to us and we created 5th Day Fridays, a full day of art, dance, pottery and music developed with our World Culture model. All classes are structured through the aesthetic of other countries with each segment ending with a festival of food, dance and art.

It’s been such a hit that we expanded enrollment to include all boys and girls from 6-12 years old. That starts Friday, Aug. 19. Go to glenwoodarts.org and register now for the most unique art and culture study program in the valley.

The full curriculum begins Tuesday, Sept. 6, with the return of our most popular classes that have been enhanced and reimagined, along with some new and exciting ones. Here’s just two — Teen Piano with Brad Vierheller and Culture Craft with Kay Cochran. Brad is one of the best pianists and teachers going, and when teenagers asked for a new class, he designed one. Kay, a former miniaturist with Disney, designed a class that will take you on an art adventure you’ll never forget.

Plus, two new dance teachers are joining the family — Nicole Zinn and Danielle Yost. These former Dance Academy pros chose the Center for the Arts as their new home.

Register now as classes are filling up fast. Go online to glenwoodarts.org, click on Classes and make your choices. Don’t miss out on the best artistic programs in the valley.

Christina Brusig is the executive director of the Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts. She can be reached at christina@glenwoodarts.org.