Surrounded by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, it’s no surprise that the Pikes Peak region houses and inspires a diverse and talented group of artists. These artists are featured in local galleries that cater to a variety of aesthetics and budgets. Here are just a few of our favorites that we recommend checking out if you’re in the region. With so much artistic talent to behold, there’s something for everyone.
OLD COLORADO CITY
45 Degree
2528 W. Colorado Ave., Colorado Springs
45degreegallery.com
45 Degree opened in February 2010 as a custom frame shop and expanded into a full art gallery in May 2013.
- What to see: Paintings, jewelry, furniture, pottery, and home décor from over 50 artisans.
- What makes it unique: 45 Degree seeks to support local, independent artists in their casual gallery setting.
- Don’t miss: Lori Hannan’s stunning clay pottery inspired by the Colorado landscape.
Febras
2532 W. Colorado Ave., Colorado Springs
shopfebras.com
Febras houses art from local Colorado artists both in the main shop and upstairs in the separate gallery.
- What to see: 40 local artists display paintings and mixed media art.
- What makes it unique: Art is featured from many local artists with unique techniques and perspectives.
- Don’t miss: Sharon Tymes nature-inspired pen & ink and oil roughing creations.
Hunter-Wolff Gallery
2510 W. Colorado Ave., Colorado Springs
hunterwolffgallery.com
Owner Sharon Wolff selects artwork conceived by artists hailing from Colorado, other part of the United States, and Mexico.
- What to see: Paintings, sculpture, pottery, ceramics, blown and fused glass, and jewelry.
- What makes it unique: Museum quality art at a variety of price points.
- Don’t miss: Artist Jerry Wedekind’s woodturned vessels are unique and captivating.
Michael Garman Gallery
2418 W. Colorado Ave., Colorado Springs
michaelgarman.com
Michael Garman is the founder of Michael Garman Productions, Inc. With locations in Colorado Springs, Denver, and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, he believes that art should be available to all and is committed to reproducing his works at affordable prices.
- What to see: Handmade sculptures of American characters including fireman, sportsmen, professionals, military personal, street people, and heroes of early America.
- What makes it unique: Michael Garman considers himself a storyteller sculptor, so his characters tell their stories.
- Don’t miss: Magic Town is a 3,000-square-foot series of life-size, scaled sculptures and structures recreating the feel of an entire city. It includes electronic lighting effects, sound effects, and two-way mirrors.
MANITOU SPRINGS
Commonwheel Artists Co-op
102 Canon Ave., Manitou Springs
commonwheel.com
The Commonwheel Artists Co-op has been in business for 43 years and features 38 local Colorado artists.
- What to see: Huge variety of mediums including glass, masks, wood, jewelry, pottery, paintings, sculpture mosaics, cards, mixed media, photography, kaleidoscopes, and home accessories.
- What makes it unique: Commonwheel offers a 10 percent discount on the featured artist of the month and a very popular pottery by the pound sale every January.
- Don’t miss: Artist Helen Smithwick’s beautifully detailed botanical illustrations.
COLORADO SPRINGS
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs
csfineartscenter.org
The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (FAC) is a 132,286-square-foot facility that hosts international traveling and changing exhibitions.
- What to see: The FAC museum houses a permanent collection of more than 20,000 pieces of art including 4,000 cultural artifacts.
- What makes it unique: The FAC’s permanent collection is rooted in art made in the Americas.
- Don’t miss: The Tactile Gallery is a special gallery designed for visitors to touch the art. It’s open to all visitors, but offers a special opportunity to visitors who are sight-impaired or have special needs.
PUEBLO
Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center
201 N. Santa Fe Ave., Pueblo
sdc-arts.org
The Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference is a municipally owned and offers 24 new exhibitions a year.
- What to see: Seven galleries within the center offer the best in historic and contemporary works by regional and national artists.
- What makes it unique: This multi-disciplinary center for the arts is located in Pueblo and serves 17 surrounding counties.
- Don’t miss: The Buell Children’s Museum, with innovative, hands-on exhibits focusing on the arts, science, and history, has been recognized as a top-ranking children’s museum for art in the nation.
John Deaux Art Gallery
221 S. Union Ave., Pueblo
johndeauxartgallery.com
The John Deaux Art Gallery is located on the upper floor of the historic Turf Exchange building, an 1881 casino, dance hall, and brothel.
- What to see: A large selection of original art by many of the leading artists of the region, showcased in a beautiful sky lit loft.
- What makes it unique: The gallery features a range of talent, from established creators to up-and-coming artists.
- Don’t miss: Radeaux’s nature-inspired artwork.
Steel City Art Works Gallery
216 S. Union Ave., Pueblo
steelcityartworks.com
Steel City Art Works Gallery is an artist community founded in 2007.
- What to see: Open free to the public, the gallery displays many art forms, including watercolor, oils, acrylics, mixed media, glass, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, and more.
- What makes it unique: This community of creators includes more than 45 local artists who work the store and attend First Friday events.
- Don’t miss: Each month the gallery hosts featured artists.
Pueblo Arts Alliance Studios
107 S. Grand Ave., Studio M, Pueblo
puebloarts.org/studios/
The Arts Alliance Studios offer studio space to creative industry businesses in the Pueblo Creative Corridor.
- What to see: The Studios are open individually by appointment.
- What makes it unique: The Studios are home to a collective of 17 creative businesses and 40+ creators.
- Don’t miss: Monthly special events like First Friday Art Walks and 5th Friday Open Studios.
In addition to the amazing variety of art in the area, fantastic restaurants and unique shops surround the Pikes Peak regional galleries.
Enjoy a night out of art and dining with the First Friday Art Walks in downtown Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, and Old Colorado City. A free shuttle bus is offered from April through December. For more information, search for art walks at visitcos.com.
Pueblo also offers First Friday Art Walks, during which you can visit more than 35 art galleries, restaurants, and businesses in the Creative Corridor. The Corridor is focused around the three historic city centers of Pueblo: Downtown Main Street, Union Avenue Historic District and the Mesa Junction. Visit puebloarts.org to know more.
Words by Lindsay Tallman
