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Editor’s Picks

One of my favorite topics to explore in my writing is the community that’s built around art.

I think the moment I realized what a gathering force art can be was while I was in Syracuse. I saw multiple arts organizations come together to create events and exhibitions around a very intriguing theme: video games.

It began with an exhibit at the Everson Museum of Art called “The Art of Video Games,” which took the viewer through video game history to see how improved technology and storytelling led to more complex, immersive and aesthetically appealing interactive products.



Then, the Landmark Theatre — a beautiful facility that hosts concerts and other performing arts events — staged “Video Games Live,” a concert that features a live orchestra (in this case, Syracuse’s own Symphoria) playing game music along to projected video of the game, as well as interactive elements like a “Guitar Hero” challenge.

Lastly, an arts organization called the Urban Video Project collaborated with the Everson Museum of Art to bring “Avant Gaming,” a screening that consisted of short films made from captured video game footage.



It blew my mind the moment I realized that in a city of almost 150,000 people, if you looked for it, you could find a small, tight-knit community of artists who were interested in collaboration, not competition. The Everson Museum of Art made no money off of the “Video Games Live” performance at the Landmark Theatre, but the organizations worked together because they care about art, and they care about bringing an immersive and comprehensive art experience to their city.

I thought about that concept of collaboration and community a lot this week as I wrote about the 5Point Film Festival. I wasn’t in the valley for the festival last year, but just through talking to a variety of people involved, I got that same sense of togetherness that I love in an artistic community. The people at 5Point don’t just screen great films — they involve a variety of local businesses, organizations and artists to create a gathering that celebrates Carbondale.

I see that same sense of community all the time in this valley’s art scene. Even if it’s just a local brewery donating beer for a Carbondale Clay Center event, that’s a beautiful thing to me. That’s locals supporting one another for the sake of delivering art to a larger audience.

Art needs all the love and support it can get to keep flourishing. We should all consider ourselves lucky we live in a valley which understands that.

Friday

The Hazel Miller Band will perform a free concert at 7 p.m. at Colorado Mountain College in Rifle. Miller is a force to be reckoned with — the singer dominates any genre she tries, including blues, jazz, pop and gospel. Don’t miss the opportunity to see some truly talented musicians at the best price you could ask for.

Saturday

This is your last chance to see “The Language of Making,” an exhibition at the Wyly Annex in Basalt featuring work from nationally known ceramic artists Sam Harvey and Alleghany Meadows. Meadows’ work features utilitarian ceramic objects arranged into sculptures, and Harvey’s work features structural handbuilt closed vessels that reference architecture and the human form. The Annex is open from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at 174 Midland Ave.

Sunday

Mother’s Day may not be on your mind already, but it should be. Don’t rack your brain for the perfect gift, though, because the Carbondale Clay Center already has one just for you. Stop by between 2 and 4 p.m. for its Mother’s Day Glaze Daze. Choose from the center’s selection of ready-made bisqueware, and make it special and unique in how you paint it. The Clay Center will fire your creation and have it ready for pickup before Mother’s Day. Each piece costs $15, and all ages are welcome (Children should be accompanied by an adult).

Jessica Cabe loves to see arts organizations working together. She can be reached at jcabe@postindependent.com.


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