The second annual NederDay of Art took place over a hot and busy weekend in Nederland. Local artists and their creations were celebrated at more than 12 different events and activities spread throughout the town, providing the community and visitors with over 16 hours of live demonstrations, music, and the opportunity to appreciate the uniqueness of Peak to Peak artists.

Starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2024, the NederDay of Art kicked off with the Fine Art & Craft Fair at the Nederland Community Center. Evan Cantor played live music as art enthusiasts perused the work of over 20 vendors, each with their own style and preferred medium.

The Mountain People’s Co-op was well represented at the entryway to the art fair, selling delicious foods, including tantalizing baked goods like giant chocolate chip cookies. Bite Bakery was also there selling their unbelievable and unforgettable Peruvian cookies, as was Healthy Be Me, who were offering enriching herbal teas and flavorful spice blends.

Artist Annie Thayer presented her whimsical watercolor paintings while Matthew Neidenberg showcased his striking yet natural handcrafted woodworking art. Ala of Ala Park Design exhibited her naturally ethereal wax and fishbone artwork and Grace Ventura of Gracious Pathways featured beautiful paintings captured from transformational experiences.

The Hilltop Guild of Allenspark was also present, demonstrating live weaving and selling wonderful pieces, including original handmade dog leashes. The guild members were promoting their Annual Bazaar, taking place at the Kelley House at 18720 Highway 7 in Allenspark, Saturday, August 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Joy of enJOYable offered her colorful and playful jewelry. Rocky Stiers delivered his well-designed medieval gothic ironwork pieces. Kayla of Placing the Pieces showed off her delicate and elegantly layered glasswork as Donna Eberle of Apron Wings brought her fantastical decorative plates and tableaus. Kim Parker also displayed her fun and playful ceramic mugs, trays, spoons, and bowls.

A Do-It-Yourself Tie-Dye station was set up at the Nederland Visitor’s Center. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. passersby stopped to let out their inner artist and create tie-dye masterpieces. Nederland Public Engagement Manager Peter Cacek led the station, providing the improvisational artists with T-shirts and bandanas to tie-dye with several dye colors and tie-dye styles to choose from.

Nederland’s streets grew more crowded with curious tourists and excited locals as the day continued, with every corner of town providing some exhibit of local art for visitors to view, such as James DeWalt’s stunning nature photography, which was on display on East 1st Street, or Nathan Eigenfeld’s fine art photography pieces, stationed outside New Moon Bakery.

Additionally, many of Nederland’s local businesses featured artists including John Mattson on display at Augustina’s Winery, Brittany Griggs at Knotted Root, and Wolfy Wolf at Kaleidoscope Gallery.

Over on East 2nd Street, young artists worked on painting eight new decorative picnic tables as part of a new Public Art Committee project, funded by the Nederland Downtown Development Authority. The tables, once completed, will be available for use at different locations all around town.

One of the picnic tables was designated as a collaborative piece, with members of the community and passersby asked to take part in its creation. Over at Train Cars Coffee & Kava, artist Kathy Bremers also hosted a live painting demonstration, where local artists were invited to join in and collaborate on a community mural.

The Train Cars hosted live music during the day, as well as late, late into the night. NoGo Gilbillies played outside in the Train Cars’ courtyard from 2 to 4 p.m., drawing the crowd in with their infectious spirit and classic sound. Later in the evening the Train Cars welcomed their Bulas and Beats crew, including Avante Shard, featuring Dis B, Random, Cruxx, Matty Micelli, 639mph, and Iris, and let them rock until 1:30 a.m.

The Caribou Village Shopping Center hosted several events for the NederDay of Art, including the launch of the Women In Clay Exhibit at Spinning Silica. Spinning Silica owner Brianna Rashbaum offered fellow women who work in the same medium the opportunity to showcase their work at the studio.

Leah DeCapio of Spirit of the Rockies, Tania Corvalan, and Gabrielle Gewirtz each had a dedicated shelf of their work on display at Spinning Silica, as vendors like Ryan LaForge and Mountain Megan Art sold their glasswork and ceramics outside the shop and Evan Cantor again played his lively acoustic accompaniment.

And across town at the Nederland Community Presbyterian Church, an elegant and relaxed reception was held within their fellowship area, which is their newly reimagined hall and outdoor gardens. Guests gathered and viewed the intimate oil paintings of realist artist Elizabeth Azcarate, and the vibrant interpretations of artist Gretchen Acharya’s pastel work.

The NederDay of Art succeeded in celebrating the amazing creativity and artistic expression that can be found up in the mountains. Thank you to all of Nederland’s artists for their dedication to their crafts and for sharing their art with the rest of the world.