Since Salida is a designated Colorado Creative District, the creative arts are very prominent in the community. There are multiple organizations, groups, and events that focus on art just within the city, and many more throughout the county. A sampling of some of Salida’s most popular arts events that occur annually is included here. It’s important to note that in addition to these creative entities, that there are other festivals, openings, art exhibits, and shows that occur which may be linked to an organization, artist, or the city’s arts and culture department.
The Public Art Commission was created by Ordinance No. 2015-04 on March 17, 2015, to oversee public art projects and make recommendations to the City Council. In December of 2020, the current Public Art Commission began meeting to discuss the possibility of a new public art project. This project has since been dubbed “The Spirit of Salida” and is currently in its planning phases. Commission members hosted their first public input meeting on September 13 to focus on sharing ideas.
Community members, the Salida Public Art Commission and City staff met to focus on ideas for the “Spirit of Salida” project. Photo by Brooke Gilmore.
The Public Art Commission adopted a public art policy with the objectives:
- To increase the prevalence of public art in Salida.
- To provide uniform and clear guidelines and procedures governing the review, selection, and approval of installed public art as defined herein.
- To maintain professional standards in works of art displayed in public areas within the City of Salida.
- To ensure the safe and appropriate display of works of art on, in, or a part of Salida assets, property, and rights-of-way.
- To ensure appropriate recognition of artists and donors of works of art displayed in public areas.
- To ensure the proper and perpetual maintenance and safety of publicly displayed works of art.
The policy also states “Installed Public Art means any works of art or creative artistic expression intended to be installed on, in, or as a part of public spaces, public assets, public property, or public rights-of-way. Public art may also refer to installations contracted by a subdivision/building project or other private entities that fall under government sanction.”
To read the entire public art policy, click here.
The City of Salida Arts and Culture Division
The Arts and Culture division of the City of Salida presents multiple events for the community. Events may be either stand-alone events, or created in partnership with other arts, non-profits, and civic organizations. The wide variety of events and programming provides a broad demographic of cultural patrons and visitors with fun, educational and inspiring experiences. These events include but are not limited to:
- Artist Openings & Pop-up Shows
- Holiday Open House
- Kickoff to FIBArk
- Monthly Film Series
- Oktoberfest
- Salida Film Festival
- Salida JazzFest
- Summer Concert Series in Riverside Park
- Travelogues
Logo courtesy of the Salida Council for the Arts
The Salida Council for the Arts (SCFTA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, that depends on community support. They do not have an endowment and their programs and events are not grant-funded. Their mission is to enrich the cultural life of the community by nurturing and supporting excellence in the arts; to increase the community’s awareness of and appreciation for the arts; to promote and encourage arts education; and to serve as a liaison between the arts, businesses, government, and educational institutions.
SCFTA also organizes monthly creative mixers, the Valley Visions Art Exhibition, community grants, and high school scholarships.
Salida Arts Festival or Salida Arts Fair
The Salida Arts Festival is held by and for artists. The show focuses on 2D and 3D art. It is promoted and managed by artists with more than 50 years of experience participating in juried art festivals. This year it was held in July.
Image courtesy of Salida Art Walk
The Salida Art Walk is an event that typically occurs in mid-June which helps support local artists. The annual Salida Art Walk includes traditional brick-and-mortar art galleries and temporary “pop-up” galleries. There is also usually a community art project, live performances, and a mini-masterpiece auction. This event is made possible through sponsors.
The Salida Fiber Festival is a nonprofit organization, conducted entirely by volunteers, that started in 2011. The festival is held the first weekend after Labor Day. It has become one of the premier events in Central Colorado and one of the most diverse and well-attended fiber festivals in the West. The event features vendors that have a focus on all aspects of textiles, including fiber-related activities and demonstrations, a make-and-take activity tent, and a silent auction tent featuring a variety of goods donated by vendors and Salida businesses.
The Salida Studio Tours is an event that is also made possible through sponsors. It offers participants a chance to meet Salida artists and step inside their studio. Typically, Piñion Real Estate Group hosts the Salida Studio Tour’s Group Art Show. This event takes place annually in September.
It is important to note that this is a sampling of events that occur annually. There are other festivals, openings, art exhibits, and shows that occur which may be linked to an organization, artist, or the city’s arts and culture department.
Featured image: Photo: Courtesy of Unsplash. Photo by Mike Petrucci.
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