Cathy Stiers, Nederland. Colorado artists love to come up to Nederland and show their work during the High Peaks Art Festival. Sales are excellent, especially for a small show of 43 artists, and artists always mention how friendly our local community is. This year we have 16 new artists and 25 returning artists, many of whom have participated for eight or nine years.

Bruce White of Littleton is one of our Featured Artists. His gorgeous realistic watercolors portray landscapes from all over the world. Bruce garners awards at many juried art shows each year. He received our Best of Show award in both 2013 and 2014. He has created a special painting for this year’s Festival, “ High Peaks over Nederland.” Bruce will have the original painting at the show, plus prints in three sizes.

The jewelry category is very strong this year, with eight jewelers participating, including Rocky Stiers of Nederland and Tom Cowherd of Black Hawk. Kansas silversmith Kristen Haug returns; she won Best of Jewelry last year for her hand-fabricated pieces in unusual shapes and designs. Her labor-intensive pieces often feature hand made chains and multiple gemstones.

Festival favorite Michele Throne of Lyons and Julie Glassman of Grand Junction will be back, as well as new jewelers Linda Toukan of Boulder and Elizabeth Hake of Erie. ReVibe designer Lisa  Goodman also returns, her upcycled guitar string jewelry was a big hit with music lovers up here.

Harry “Bud” Smoot of Monument is another of our Featured Artists; he will be exhibiting with us for the first time this year.  His birdhouses are created using all natural materials- wood, leather, tin, copper, bolts, hinges, keys…. even used lawn mower tires!

He has researched the many types of birds found in Colorado and designed the correct size bird holes for each birdhouse. Most of the materials come from old demolished homes that Habitat from Humanity then donates to be resold. Some of the keys and doorknobs are fifty years old! Many of the designs are similar, but no two are exactly alike.

Ivy Howard grew up on an Iowa farm, surrounded by clay, molds, paints, brushes, fabric and a kiln. She claims that it must have been the farm girl in her that drew her to gourds. For many years her passion was tole painting. Then she discovered painting on gourds and a new career was born.

Ivy was an orthopedic nurse for 25 years before retiring, and becoming an award-winning maker of gourds and pine needle baskets. She uses Southern long leaf pine needles that are 12” long. “I love the feel of them and the flexibility of the wood-like needles.” Ivy lives in Grand Lake during the summer and winters in Arizona. This will be her first year exhibiting at the High Peaks Art Festival.

This year we have a record number of local artists exhibiting. In addition to jewelers Rocky Stiers and Tom Cowherd, we welcome ceramic artists Tania Corvalan, Dot’s Pots, and Judi Miller; photographer Pat Hayes; David Jessup’s gardenware; Beth Deming’s tie-dye clothing; metal tables by Wendell King; body care products by Kate Hormel and Lara Mastro; stained glass by Kay O’Neil; and the fabulous multi-media works of painter/sculptor Bruce White.

Our very popular and fun Artist Awards program is in its 7th year, awarding cash prizes to artists in 13 categories. It has been a goal of the Festival to have all of the awards sponsored by Nederland businesses and community members. This will be the first year that we are able to say that goal has been accomplished!

Awards will include Best of Show (Festival as sponsor), Best of Fine Craft (Geek for Hire), Best of Colorado (4TheLuvofDogz), Best of Jewelry (Susan and Wes Schneider), Best of Painting (Pat Everson), Best of Photography (Peak Counseling), Best of Fiber (Alpaca Store & More), Best of Wood  (Loran Smith Woodworking), Best of Mixed Media (Business Connection), Best of Ceramics (Crafted in Colorado), Best of Sculpture ( the Carousel of Happiness), and Best of Glass ( Janette and Julian Taylor).

A new award this year will be a very special one. The Dave Felkley Memorial Award will be given to the artist whose work best represents nature and our mountain environment.

Dave loved the Festival and visited every year, including last year, when his visit was especially poignant because four days later he moved away from his beloved Nederland to live out his last few months with his son Doug and daughter-in-law Jean. We are giving Doug and Jean the honor of choosing the winner of the $150 prize, sponsored by Ted Weaver of First Tracks Consulting. In addition, the award-winning artist will receive one of Dave’s hand carved walking sticks.

Everyone is invited to join us as we walk around the Festival (located in the Visitors Center parking lot) and hand out the awards, starting at 12:30 on Saturday, June 27th.

Live music will be happening both days of the Festival, featuring local musicians such as The CBDs, Jon Ridnell, and many more. Special guest musicians each day are Dave Ridnell and Chico Coehlo, playing the unique sound of Brazilian music. The music stage is located on West Jefferson Street, directly across from Kathmandu’s booth.

Hours of the High Peaks Art Festival are 10-5 on Saturday and 10-4 on Sunday.

Please note that the Visitors Center parking lot will close on Thursday at 11 p.m. and be closed through Sunday at 6 p.m.