44 WWW.SOUTHWESTART.COM • AUGUST 2019
cDarylPrice,SwampMusic,acrylic,^30 x 40.
eJack Pine, Cobalt Webbed Fluted Bowl, glass, 15 x 14 x 15.SOME 12,000 VISITORS fl ock to the
Rocky Mountain town of Crested Butte,
CO, every year to attend the Crested
Butte Arts Festival. “It’s the largest
event in Crested Butte during the sum-
mer,” says executive director Chelsea S.
Dalporto-McDowell. “And it’s become
one of the most sought-after art events
in the West.” Which is why the event
organizers pull out all the stops for this
juried, three-day art extravaganza. The
47th annual festival kicks off on Friday,
August 2, on historic Elk Avenue, where
visitors can peruse an array of artworks
while enjoying live entertainment, culi-
nary treats, and the alpine scenery.
“This is a magical valley,” says Dalporto-
McDowell. “I call it paradise. We are
surrounded by 12,000-foot mountains.
What you see from the festival grounds
is awe-inspiring.” As visitors stroll the
picturesque avenue, they are also treat-
ed to works in 12 different fi ne-art and
craft categories, includ-
ing painting, sculpture,
photography, ceramics, glass, wood, fi -
ber arts, and more. The 165 participating
artists—chosen by a discerning jury from
a pool of more than 700 applicants—hail
from around the country and beyond.
Among the group this year are return-
ing talents like Texas mixed-media artist
Brice McCasland, last year’s Best of Show
winner, and many new participants, in-
cluding woodworker Seth Katz, whose
furniture creations blend modern geom-
etry and organic forms. Representational
paintings inspired by Southwestern
and Rocky Mountain landscapes pep-
per much of the show, including colorful
pieces by artists like Jennifer Cavan and
Vicki Barrett, but many works depict
a variety of other subjects and themes,
from the traditional to the highly imagi-
native. This year’s featured emerging
artist, Heather Bischoff, created a life-
size, immersive installation of an aspen
grove, entitled SEE TREES, which visitorscan wander through and explore.
Multiple artists’ demonstrations and
a lively art auction round out the festivi-
ties. And there’s plenty of art to explore
beyond Elk Avenue, too, notes Dalporto-
McDowell. “When you come to Crested
Butte, it’s not just the festival you’re com-
ing for. There are a host of galleries here
and art events happening throughout the
weekend, so when patrons come, they can
expect not only the festival to be a high-
light of their weekend experience, but
our creative district in general.” Proceeds
from the festival support year-round, sus-
tainable arts outreach programs in the
Gunnison Valley. —Kim Agricolacontact information
970.349.1184
http://www.crestedbutteartsfestival.comSee more work at http://www.southwestart.com/
events/cbaf-aug2019.Crested Butte Arts Festival
Downtown Crested Butte, August 2-4
SHOW PREVIEW
Crested Butte, CO