YOUR AD HERE »

Center for Excellence is committed to culture

Nonprofit SpotlightKay Vasilakis

The Center for Excellence in the Arts is all about commitment. It has a commitment to imagination, creativity, and risk-taking that stimulates, rejuvenates and expands learning and growth beyond the everyday norm. Everything it pledges to do is seriously meant to be the best it can be, and it is committed to the time, energy and resources necessary to achieve the best. It encourages partnerships and collaborations with artists and arts organizations in the communities CMC serves.CEA’s primary programs include the curating of a regular series of exhibits and educational programs at the district office gallery; the Jim Calaway Honors Series, a model for similar series at all CMC communities; and an aesthetics education program for K-12 children, which CEA hopes to launch in the summer of 2005.The best in performing arts returns to CMC with the first Jim Calaway Honors Series performance Nov. 18-19 at the Spring Valley Campus featuring Chimera, a five-member band from southwest New Mexico with vocals and instrumentals blending modern world music with original compositions. During each concert’s opening performance there will be a post concert dessert reception in honor of that evening’s honoree(s).The Jim Calaway Series supports educational outreach enrichment in the arts to K-12 and Colorado Mountain College students. Ticket subscriptions are available for the entire Calaway Honors Series performances in November, January and March. Contact CMC’s Center for Excellence in the Arts, (970) 947-8367, for tickets and series lineup. A donation from Jim Calaway and ticket sales make the series possible.CEA director Alice Beauchamp has been working for the program for six years. She was program director for the Glenwood Springs Arts Council for three years and taught children’s art classes for the Re 2 School district and the CMC Rifle campus for several years. She knows the excitement and inspiration made possible by live performances and art exhibits, especially to people with limited cultural opportunities.”There is a peculiar liveliness and energy with which the mind is activated when works of art are attended,” Beauchamp said. “The arts are made by human beings for human beings, they expand our visions, and they make us think.””Art centers are vital to communities,” she continued. “Despite arts funding being at its worst, they keep fighting for and finding ways to keep the arts alive for all of us, and they should never be taken for granted. Simply attending concerts or visiting exhibitions helps to support the arts! If you have children, take them to performances, take them to galleries, encourage them to attend the arts, and you’ll expand their visions and make them think.”The Center for Excellence in the Arts office is at the CMC District Office on 9th and Grand in Glenwood Springs, and the Gallery is located in the same building.Hoedown raises funds for Sopris Therapy ServicesThe second annual Country Hoedown in the Barn fundraiser for Sopris Therapy Services will be from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Aspen Equestrian Center, Highway 82 and County Road 100 (behind Catherine Store).This fun-filled evening includes dinner, country dancing with the Last Minute String Band and dance caller Chad Filipski, silent auction, hayrides, square dancing, a special appearance by Anita Witt, entertainment and other surprises. Silent Auction preview will be from 4-5 p.m. with wine and hors d’oeuvres.The cost of the Hoedown is $25 per adult and $5 for children and teens. All funds raised benefit disabled children and adults in the valley.Sopris Therapy Services is a Carbondale nonprofit specializing in the use of horses for the treatment of children and adults with various physical, neurological and emotional challenges.For additional information or reservations, call 963-4677Kay Vasilakis’ column “Nonprofit Spotlight” appears every other Wednesday. For news tips or inspirations, please call 984-2308.Kay Vasilakis’ column “Nonprofit Spotlight” appears every other Wednesday. For news tips or inspirations, please call 984-2308.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Glenwood Springs and Garfield County make the Post Independent’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.