Media Contacts: 

Heidi Barfels and Claire Molle

Press@VisitEstesPark.com

 

Art In The Park 2024: Estes Park Inspires Visitors
To Celebrate Local Creativity

 

ESTES PARK, Colo., August 8, 2024 – Estes Park, the basecamp to Rocky Mountain National Park, has long inspired artists of all kinds (professional, amateur and in-between), attracting creative minds with its stunning scenery and welcoming community of local makers. Estes Park’s art-forward legacy is stronger than ever in 2024, with countless opportunities for visitors to discover art in the Park.

 

“From my first visit to this magical place, I knew it would be home to both my family and my creative aspirations,” said Victoria Endsley, owner of Makers' Studio, Bear & Bee in Estes Park. “As someone who has always found inspiration in nature and natural materials, Estes Park and its beauty offer unending energy and creative influence. But it’s not just the beautiful landscapes and the wildlife, it’s the people that live and work here that make this place uniquely inspiring." 

 

The arts are evolving here, too. For the first time in May 2024, The Stanley Hotel hosted the renowned Sundance Institute’s Directors Lab, bringing together 120 independent filmmakers to create new work with Estes Park serving as a spectacular backdrop. The Directors Lab not only served as the institute’s first event outside of its 40-year home at Sundance Resort in Utah, but also as a promising signpost for future world-class cultural happenings in Estes Park. 

 

Additionally, Colorado Governor Jared Polis recently visited The Stanley Hotel to sign legislation that builds upon a grant program for Colorado’s creative industries, including a modification that allows the Colorado Educational and Cultural Facilities Authority to buy the Stanley.

 

“These recent developments show that our destination is ready for its cultural closeup,” said Kara Franker, CEO of Visit Estes Park. “We’re excited that the rest of the world is discovering what we’ve known for years, that Estes is the place to come if you want to be inspired.” 

 

Artsy Events On The Horizon

  • Estes Park Art Studio Tour (Aug. 17-18): This event invites those with curious minds into the home studios of professional artists living in Estes Park. Eighteen local artists all within a 10-mile radius will demonstrate their creative process, from woodturning to mosaics to painting and ceramics, life-size sculptures to macro photography, sacred gardens and prayer wheels.

  • Estes Valley Plein Air (Aug. 22-28): Every August, well-known artists from all over the country converge on Estes Park to paint en plein air (a French term meaning "in open air") in Rocky Mountain National Park and within 50 miles of the Estes Valley. Special events in conjunction with EVPA include a poster/postcard and wine label contest, a nocturne paint out opportunity, a miniature contest, and a Quick Paint at Riverside Plaza in which artists have a limited amount of time to complete paintings that are then auctioned to the public.

  • Handmade In Colorado (Aug. 23-25): Designed for dedicated locavores, Handmade In Colorado offers the chance to discover unique Colorado-made items sold by the artists and craftspeople themselves. The free event, taking place in Bond Park, will feature a vast array of independent designers producing original handcrafted goods from a wide array of media including metals, paper, glass, fibers, food, fabricated objects, clay, paint, wax, gems and more.

  • Estes Park Labor Day Arts & Craft Show (Aug. 31-Sept. 2): Labor Day weekend in Bond Park will be filled with more than 90 booths featuring a variety of art and hand-crafted items — paintings and drawings, photography, jewelry, metal work, clothing, gourmet pantry items, home decor, wood carvings, toys, pottery, glass and more. The free event also features live music and food trucks.

 

First Friday Art Groove

Want to get into the groove in the Estes Park arts world? The Art Groove, held every first Friday of the month. These events offer an up-close-and-personal self-guided tour that allows visitors to check out dozens of galleries, meet up with local artists (and fellow art lovers), and enjoy craft beverages and live music. It’s a multi-venue, multi-media arty party for all ages.

 

Riverwalk Art

Running alongside the south side of Elkhorn Avenue, Estes Park Riverwalk is a bit like an open-air art gallery, with sculptures and murals by local artists complementing this refreshing space — even the utility boxes on the path have been decorated in vibrant colors. One of the electrical box artists is Estes Park resident Wade Johnston, who also works at Lumpy Ridge Brewing Co.; you’ll also see Wade’s artwork adorning the cans at this local favorite craft beer spot. Don’t miss Dee Dee Hampton’s whimsical utility box mural on Rockwell Street, or the designs of Michael Young (the visual mastermind behind Estes Park’s annual Catch The Glow Parade).  

 

Photo Tours & Workshops

Take your photography skills to the next level in one of the most photogenic places on the planet. Both Yellow Wood Guiding and Dawn Wilson Photography offer tours and workshops to teach you how to take excellent photos of the natural landscapes that make Estes Park such a worldwide draw. These workshops are great for all skill levels — even if you only have a smartphone camera, you’ll be amazed by the pics you capture under the guidance of these pros.

 

Rocky Mountain National Park Artist-In-Residency Program

The arts and the outdoors blend together! In partnership with the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of over 50 NPS sites that currently host an Artist-In-Residence (AIR) program. Artists that are part of RMNP’s AIR program participate in a two- or three- week residency in a historic cabin during the summer months, creating a variety of work and interacting with the community. This year’s program features Garrison Gerard, a composer of electroacoustic and concert music, embroidery artist Kait Evensen and sculptor Joe Norman. For upcoming RMNP artist-in-residence activities, visit NPS.gov. 

 

Seed & Sage Studio

Owned and operated by local artist Jason Geoffrion, Seed & Sage Studio offers the chance to make your own masterpiece in Estes Park. This collaborative space hosts incredible events, workshops and gathering opportunities for creative personalities, everything from Pint & Paint happenings to SoulCollage classes where you’ll make a personalized deck of cards. The Estes literary scene also gets a spotlight during regular poetry readings. Check out the Seed & Sage calendar for what’s on deck in the upcoming months.

 

A great way to keep up with Estes Park arts is to visit the Estes Art District’s website and follow the organization on Facebook. 

 

For images and b-roll related to this story idea, please download them here (credit: Visit Estes Park). 

 

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About Visit Estes Park

Visit Estes Park is the official Destination Marketing Organization for Estes Park, Colorado. A

Destinations International (DI) accredited DMO, Visit Estes Park's mission is to drive sustainable year-round economic growth by encouraging visitor demand. Estes Park, just 90 minutes from Denver, is the basecamp for Rocky Mountain National Park offering outdoor experiences, activities, dining, shopping and an environment that is welcoming and approachable. Known for world-class adventure, resident wildlife and scenic beauty, Estes Park is Colorado’s quintessential mountain town. To learn more, go to visitestespark.com.