Cottonwood Artists School

COTTONWOOD ENGAGES THE PIKES PEAK REGION IN ART THROUGH LEARNING, EXHIBITS AND PERFORMANCES, HOSTING A DIVERSE CREATIVE COMMUNITY OF WORKSPACE FOR ARTISTS.

COLORADO SPRINGS BUSINESS JOURNAL REPORTED IN 2020 THAT COTTONWOOD HAD THE SECOND-HIGHEST NUMBER OF VISITS OF ALL THE CITY'S MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES, COMING IN SECOND TO GARDEN OF THE GODS VISITOR AND NATURE CENTER. EVERY YEAR MORE THAN 2,400 STUDENTS REGISTER FOR A COTTONWOOD ART CLASS TAUGHT BY ARTISTS IN THE BUILDING AND PROFESSIONALS FROM THE COMMUNITY. A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS IS OFFERED, INCLUDING TRADITIONAL MEDIUMS, SUCH AS WATERCOLOR PAINTING, LIFE DRAWING, POTTERY, AND PRINTMAKING, AND MORE NICHE COURSES, LIKE PINE NEEDLE BASKET WEAVING, CANDLE MAKING, WRAP JEWELRY, AND STAINED GLASS. THE CENTER ALSO HAS RECENTLY EXPANDED INTO THE LITERARY ARTS, WITH CREATIVE WRITING, POETRY, ZINE-MAKING, AND PERSONAL NARRATIVE CLASSES. AND THOSE READY FOR THEIR CLOSE-UP WILL FIND FILM, ACTING, VOICE, AND MUSIC CLASSES. BUSINESS CLASSES RELATED TO SELLING ART, INCLUDING WEBSITE DESIGN AND MARKETING, ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. THE 107 ARTISTS IN THE BUILDING, WHOSE COMBINED RENT CONTRIBUTES ABOUT $30,000 IN MONTHLY INCOME, ARE DIVERSE IN THEIR INTERESTS, OFFERINGS, AND EDUCATION. THE CENTER WORKS TO MAINTAIN AN ENVIRONMENT RICH WITH FORMALLY EDUCATED ART STUDENTS - CURRENTLY, A DOZEN HOLD MASTER OF FINE ARTS DEGREES - BUT IT'S NOT A REQUIREMENT. THOSE WITH NO FORMAL EDUCATION ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO BECOME PART OF THE COLLECTIVE AND LEARN FROM THEIR MORE EXPERIENCED CONTEMPORARIES. MANY PARTICIPATE IN MONTHLY CRITIQUES AND THE ARTIST CAFE; A SPACE DESIGNED TO CHALLENGE AND ENCOURAGE.MULTIPLE GALLERIES THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING SHOWCASE PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS AND THOSE JUST FINDING THEIR FOOTING. MONTHLY SHOWS FEATURE SOLO EXHIBITS, GROUP SHOWS, AND SELECTIVE JURIED SHOWS WITH A WIDE RANGE OF CONTEMPORARY THEMES. COTTONWOOD ALSO FINDS INNOVATIVE WAYS TO MAKE ART AVAILABLE, SUCH AS A DRIVE-BY EXHIBIT IN THE PARKING LOT DURING THE PANDEMIC. ADDITIONAL EVENTS PROVIDE ANOTHER REVENUE STREAM FOR COTTONWOOD AND HELP CONNECT THE CENTER TO THE COMMUNITY. OFFERINGS INCLUDE COLORADO FARM AND ART MARKETS, WHICH BRING IN 1,000 VISITORS EVERY MONTH FROM NOVEMBER TO MARCH, ART PARTIES FOR KIDS AND ADULTS, LIVE MUSIC, SPOKEN WORD POETRY PERFORMANCES, WEDDING RECEPTIONS, AND FUNDRAISERS.MOST RECENTLY, A GRANT FROM EL POMAR FOUNDATION AND OTHER DONATIONS ENABLED COTTONWOOD TO PAVE AND DECORATE THE ALLEY SOUTH OF THE BUILDING, ADDING 6,000 SQUARE FEET OF USABLE SPACE FORPERFORMANCES, FARMERS' MARKETS, PRIVATE EVENT RENTALS, EXHIBITS, AND SUMMER YOUTH CAMPS.