The weather is so beautiful and the landscape is so green that the promise of blissful summer days exudes a sense of anticipation and joy that is contagious. I want to grab my kid out of these last, agonizing, few days of school, take off and release myself from the confines of everyday.

Summer is the best time to escape. At the Center for the Arts, we’ve brainstormed through many snowstorms to come up with some great classes and activities to fill the season. I think we’re going to have a great summer!

The Summer ’04 Class Catalogue is out and it’s time to register for some fun time in the arts! Pick up a catalogue at the Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts, or the Glenwood Springs Community Center.

We are offering a whopping 84 classes in dance, pottery, fine arts, crafts, voice, piano, guitar, and theater arts for all levels and all ages. We are also offering stone sculpting and silversmithing for adults at all levels. Theatre Arts Summer Camp is scheduled from July 6-9, and a Pottery and Art Camp are scheduled for Aug. 23-27. We are really excited about the myriad of offerings ” hip-hop classes, break dancing, ballet, tap, modern, African, Dance Dogs (a STOMP class for little boys age 4-5), Diane’s Art Party (a class for kids to experiment with different types of art media) and Japanese Animation.

To celebrate our summer arts program, “Welcome to Artopia” is a theme we’ll be embracing this summer. Welcome to Artopia begins June 7, and runs through July 11 with the Glenwood Springs Art Guild All member Exhibit. An artist reception will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, June 11.

The Artopia Open Exhibition begins July 15 and runs through Aug. 29 with a reception at 6 p.m. Friday, July 23.

The Change of Art – Flea Market will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 26, July 24, and Aug. 28.

We are extending an invitation for all artists from 1-100 years old who have ever wanted to share their art to do so this summer in the “Roaring Fork Valley’s Largest Exhibit and Sale.” Pick up an application and plan to show your talent.

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ARTOPIA is about You! ARTOPIA is a celebration of everyday pleasures! ARTOPIA is what happens when two or more artisans are gathered in one place! Our Artopia Garden is our backyard lunch spot. Bring your brown bag lunch and join in. Learn everything from calligraphy to sculpture in our classes. These short workshops will be offered throughout the summer.

7 p.m. June 12 ” Early Twentieth Century, Secular to Sacred ” the exploration of artist Ariel Agemian. An evening of fine art, dining and fine wines hosted at the home of his daughter, Annig Raley, and her husband, Howard.

6 p.m. June 11. Glenwood Springs Art Guild Opening

The Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts is located at 601 E. 6th St. between the Yampah Vapor Caves and Hot Springs Pool. We’re open 9-5 p.m. weekdays and noon to 4 p.m. weekends. Information: gwsarts@sopris.net, http://www.GlenwoodSpringsCenterForTheArts.com, 945-2414.