NEDERLAND — The Nederland Community Center was transformed into a gallery of the work of over 20 local artists who expressed themselves using a variety of different mediums to convey their feelings, portray a vision, or display their reverence for nature’s beauty.

On Thursday, October 1, 2026, the hallways of the Center became refreshed with a sense of splendor, as residents gathered for the opening reception of the Art at the Center Fall Exhibition, to have their inner fires stoked by the artistic talent of the Peak to Peak area. 

Art lovers not only had the opportunity to enjoy works of beauty and a glass of wine, but also got to vote on their favorite artists.

Photo by Christopher Kelley

With the suggested donation of $10, art connoisseurs of the mountains were treated to two glasses of their choice of fine wine, a ballot for choosing three of their favorite featured artists, an impressive spread of hors d'oeuvres and sweet treats, the live music of Dan Reina, and the chance to meet and with the many artists in attendance. 

The walls of the Community Center were adorned with works like Debra Jason’s alcohol ink paintings of flower bouquets, including “Citrus Blue” and “Watermelon Ember” and Donna Eberle’s enticing mixed-media collages, highlighting the “Cupcake of Love” and the “Cupcake of Happiness w/ cherry on top.” Layna Melvin’s hypnotizing watercolor pieces “Hawk Spirit” and “Natural Beauty,” and Leslie Rothman’s photographic collage work, such as the beautifully layered “Poppies in T-Ride” also drew the attention of guests.

Also featured was Maddie Perry, with her watercolor portrait “First Snow” and masterfully constructed photograph piece “Framed Alpinist”; Lee Kennedy and her vibrant watercolor, oil pastel, and acrylic work, including “Colorful City Views”; Kathy Bremers and her expressively ornate watercolor paintings “Illusions” and “The Beauty Around Us”; and Carlye Calvin’s “Birds of a Feather” photography series, featuring the mysterious Barn Owl and colorful Macaw.  

Jeanne Benson’s colored pencil and graphite examination of the ginkgo leaf was an intricate craft of fascination. Wolfy Wolf’s spirited watercolors “New Years Eve” and “Blue Spiral” brought art lovers into a cool, existential wormhole. MD Baird’s digital giclee and archival prints of “La Mexicana,” “Holitoppa Ohoyo,” and “La Tica” offered striking depictions of worldly femininity, and Lorelei Stumbo’s oil-stained wood art wowed with the enthralling “Eye of the World” and “Elephant.” 

Cindy Parker showcased her found-object work with the haunting piece “Who Is Silvia?” Gail Gitin highlighted her bright and textural mixed water medium work, including “Sunset Is My Favorite Color,” while Annie Thayer not only displayed her dynamic watercolor piece “Where the Light Leads,” but also her finely crafted and colored ceramic work. And Brent Warren astonished with his experimental and surreal mixed media and acrylic works “The Outing” and “Flash Flood Mars.” 

Mike Stabler presented a unique visual perspective with his pieces “Giant Beauty” and “Niece In Europe,” and Gretchen Acharya impressed with her deep and elegant pastel depictions of mountain recreation in “Ski Country” and “Mountain Bikers.”

Miangelo offered dreamy and introspective mixed media and acrylic pieces “Aquamarine” and “Dream in Tangerine,” as Michelle Dick stunned with her awe-inspiring representations of the nature around us in “Incoming” and “Alberta Falls.”

Serene Karplus’s experimental macro-photography brought viewers to a new perspective with the pieces “Bullets” and “Mill Rust.” Lili Francklyn’s unique view of nature shines through her pieces “Dusk at Red Rock Lake” and “Champlain Sunrise,” while Courtney Crockett’s watercolors caused art enthusiasts to stop, soak, and ponder.

Winner of this year's Coordinator's Choice Award, Leslie Rothman.

Photo by Christopher Kelley

Marc McClish’s “Fall Colors on a Windy Day” chromoscape perfectly encapsulated the mood of the season. Dennis Quinn’s oil painting “Cherryvale” brought viewers to emotions evoked by a forgotten time and place, and Evan Cantor’s oil work, “Long Shadows at Lunch” and “Storm Over Chapin,” presented realistic worlds through the colors and moods of fantasy dreamscapes. 

As the evening came to a close, the ballots of those astute art lovers in attendance were collected and tallied, revealing MD Baird and Carlye Calvin having tied for third place, Michelle Dick in second place, and 16-year-old Maddie Perry in first place. 

The winners of this year's exhibition, including (from center to right) first place winner Maddie Perry, and third place winners MD Baird, and Carlye Calvin.

Photo by Christopher Kelley

Additionally, Event Coordinator Annie Thayer awarded Leslie Rothman the Art at the Center’s 2026 Coordinator’s Choice award.  

Special thanks to Annie Thayer, members of the arts committee, to all those on the Nederland Community Center staff, and to all the volunteers, as well as all the talented artists, who worked to make the opening reception of the 2026 Art at the Center Fall Exhibition such an extraordinary event.