"Cosmic Compost" by Rachel Becker | "Where the Wild Things Live" by Kirstie Steiner
Coming soon to the Carbondale Arts Gallery: Two solo exhibitions by local artists Kirstie Steiner and Rachel Becker, featuring mixed media and installation works. Cosmic Compost honors decomposition as an essential process in the continuation of life. Where the Wild Things Live is a commentary on manmade commodities intertwining with nature.
The gallery is open weekdays 10am-5pm
April First Friday | Spring into Wellness
Several great happenings throughout town between 5-9 pm. Embrace the health and wellness vibe of our community at the Rec Center, stroll gallery exhibitions, and try your hand at a lip sync battle!
Subject/Matr/Mother
Subject/Mart/Mother is a group exhibition featuring Mya Cluff, Courtney Dudle, Darla Jackson, Shawna Miller (curator) + LUCIA, Erin Morrison, and Maria Teicher.
Join us for the opening reception, Friday, April 11, from 5:00-7:00pm with an artist talk beginning at 5:30pm.
May First Friday | Family Block Party
The Carbondale Family Block Party is an annual family-friendly event to celebrate spring and welcome summer. In addition to great local food, music produced by valley youth, and activities for kids of all ages.
*PRIDE will be moving to June First Friday (details coming soon)
June First Friday
There are several events and activities happening in the heart of the Carbondale Creative District for June’s First Friday. Enjoy Carbondale’s new and incoming public art, celebrate our community and our love for the wilderness. Dance to live music, and more! Click here for details.
Breathe with Oniya: Arts & Crafts | Respira con Oniya: Artes y Manualidades
Based on the book, “Breathe, Bison”, children will meet Oniya, a young bison who loses its way, and eventually transforms sadness into hope and grace. Campers will read the story, practice mindful breathing, and spend the day immersed in art projects based on the journey of Oniya.
Ages: 4-10
Ready, Aim, Create | Listo Apuntar Crear
Young children learn by doing and their bodies are tools for exploration and understanding. These workshops give them the opportunity to use their big movements, small moments and curiosity to create art that represents their raw and ingenious identities.
Ages: 3-5
Songwriting Camp | Campamento de Composición
Join us as we explore the creative side of music making. We will spend the week learning about the basic building blocks of songwriting. To participate in this camp/workshop, you only need a desire to learn, no instrument necessary; however if you do play an instrument, please bring it along.
Ages: 10-12
Jam Camp
Jam Camp offers a chance to play music in a hands-on and creative way. Whether you’re just starting out or already play an instrument, come explore ways to make music with others and develop tools to deepen your music journey.
Ages / Edades: 10-12
Puppet Parade | Desfile de Marionetas
This summer, come join us for a fun-filled workshop where creativity knows no bounds! We'll be crafting cool puppets and making awesome creations with our own hands. Ages: 8-12
¡Acompañanos este verano en un taller lleno de diversión donde la creatividad no tiene límites! Vamos a crear tìteres y manualidades con nuestras propias manos. Edades: 8-12
Breathe Bison Theater | Respira Teatro Bisonte
Based on the book, “Breathe, Bison”, children will meet Oniya, a young bison who loses its way, and eventually transforms sadness into hope and grace. Campers will read the story, practice mindful breathing, and spend the day immersed in art projects based on the journey of Oniya.
Ages: 4-10
Breathe with Oniya: Learning About the Bison | Aprendiendo sobre el Bisonte
Based on the book, “Breathe, Bison”, children will meet Oniya, a young bison who loses its way, and eventually transforms sadness into hope and grace. Campers will read the story, practice mindful breathing, and spend the day immersed in art projects based on the journey of Oniya.
Ages: 4-10
March First Friday | Get Gussied Up
The Carbondale Arts Fashion Show will be in full swing, but you don’t need a ticket to participate in flirting with the fashion of film noir.
Starting at 5pm Main Street becomes a pedestrian corridor between Weant Blvd and 3rd Street. Grab a bite from a selection of food trucks and get a glamour shot at the Community Glam Cam located at 4th & Main Street.
Carbondale Arts Fashion Show: Camera Obscura
SOLD OUT! Join us for the best fashion extravaganza of the spring! This year’s theme is Camera Obscura, inspired by film noir styling and storytelling. It touches on voyeurism, secrets, dreams, and ultimately the mystery of life. This alluring event sells out annually, it’s not to be missed.
Doors are at 7:00pm
Show begins at 8:00pm
February First Friday
Carbondale February First Friday (2/7) is themed Spread the Love! Beginning at 4pm the ice skating rink at Chacos Park will be open with live DJs from KDNK Radio, a bonfire, hot chocolate, and the Bumbu food truck!
Community members are invited to Spread The Love by visiting one of the love note creation stations located at True Nature Healing Arts or The Launchpad. Carbondale Arts will be hosting We Heart Art, a Valentine’s-themed pop-up featuring artists in the 46th Annual Valley Visual Art Show.
We Heart Art
For February’s First Friday, from 5 to 7pm, Carbondale Arts hosts WE HEART ART, a Valentine’s-themed pop-up featuring originals, prints, stickers and more handmade items created by a selection of artists featured in the 46th Annual Valley Visual Art Show.
In addition, the Carbondale Arts Gallery & ARTique gift shop will be open, with live cello music by Lautaro Madewell.
46th Annual Valley Visual Art Show
The Valley Visual Art Show (VVAS) opens the exhibition calendar each year with a very special show. VVAS is one of the longest-standing community art shows committed to showing the work of local artists.
Join us for the opening reception Friday, January 17, 5-7pm. View 60+ artworks in a variety of media and aesthetic, and be sure to vote for People’s Choice. On display through February 20. The gallery is open weekdays 10am.
January First Friday
Join us for the first First Friday of 2025 with the community skate night at Chacos Park in the heart of downtown.
The Carbondale Rec Center team will be serving up hot cocoa with marshmallows and/or hotdogs for roasting while supplies last.
Bonedale Winter Bonanza
Bundle up and explore the heart of Bonedale during the Winter Bonanza! Wander our vibrant Creative District throughout the day– where art, culture, and winter magic come together with local creativity and cozy charm. Click here for details.
Pop-Up Holiday Farmer's Market
Load up on (local) holiday goodies! Jams, breads, winter veggies, cookies and more! The market will be open both Saturday (10-4) and Sunday (11-3) inside The Launchpad, alongside Deck the Walls.
December 21-22
Saturday 10am-4pm
Sunday 11am-3pm
Light Up Carbondale | First Friday
Join Santa at Weant Blvd & Main Street at 5:30pm to Light Up the Forest Service tree and Main Street tree lights. Free hot cocoa and sugar cookies while supplies last. Free sleigh rides with Santa 5:45pm - 7:45pm (line up at 4th & Main street). Deck the Walls holiday market in the Carbondale Arts Gallery will be open until 7pm with live performances by Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra.
Deck the Walls Holiday Market
Every holiday season, Carbondale Arts transforms its gallery space into a shop filled with artisan goods created by local and regional artists from all over the Roaring Fork Valley and the state of Colorado. Goods typically include handmade candles and cards, jewelry and chocolates, ceramics and soaps and more!
20th Día de los Muertos Celebration | First Friday
Únete a nosotros para el Primer Viernes de noviembre, celebrando Día de los Muertos, la mayor celebración de este feriado en todo el valle.
Join us for November’s First Friday, celebrating Día de los Muertos, the largest valley-wide honoring of this holiday.
Printmaking Workshop with Katie & Bailey
Join your printmaking hostesses with the mostesses, Katie Browne & Bailey Haines on Weds, Oct 23, from 6-8pm at The Launchpad (76 S 4th Street in Carbondale). This is a FREE event but you need to register in advance. (Registration is currently full, but sign up to be on the waitlist).
Pre-registered participants may drop in any time during the two hours and learn about and experiment with different styles of printmaking (block printing with hand carved stamps, mono printing with plants, printing with beets and potatoes, styrofoam plate etching, to name a few). Katie & Bailey will also host some demonstrations and have a few stations set up for people to try out different techniques.
Día del Arte
¡Únete al proceso creativo del Día de los Muertos! El 19 de octubre, Safe and Abundant Nutrition Alliance (SANA), La Clínica del Pueblo y Carbondale Arts estarán organizando un taller de arte. // Join in the creative process of Día de los Muertos! On October 19th, Safe and Abundant Nutrition Alliance (SANA), La Clínica del Pueblo, and Carbondale Arts will be hosting an art workshop at the Third Street Center from 11:00am to 3:00pm.
State of the Arts Symposium
Join us for a symposium covering the role and impact of the arts in our region. This gathering will feature workshops, networking and discussion about opportunities and challenges facing us all locally, and statewide.
October First Friday
Join us every month in the heart of Carbondale’s Creative District. Carbondale Arts is hosting an opening reception for 2 new exhibitions featuring local artists, performances by Bonedale Flashmob, a Community Contra Dance, and more!
Women (Im)Print | Community Service Print Project
Women (Im)Print showcases hand-printed works by two local women who are both friends and collaborators; Katie Browne (curation) and Bailey Haines.
Community Service Print Projects is a group exhibition of work by student-artists and The Project Shop, a local nonprofit arts organization.
Both exhibitions open September 27th and will be on display through Novemvber 1st, with an opening reception on October’s First Friday from 5-7:00pm with an artist talk at 5:30pm.
September First Friday
Join us every month in the heart of Carbondale’s Creative District to enjoy a wide range of local arts, galleries, shopping, award-winning restaurants and spirits, and live music and entertainment.
On display: "Patterns of Consumption" & "A Love Letter to Indian Creek"
A Love Letter to Indian Creek is by local painter and SAW artist Clarissa Fortier, paying homage to a place that inspires her to paint and rock climb.
Patterns of Consumption is by Denver-based artist Kalliopi Monoyios, working with repurposed materials.
The opening reception is Friday, August 16 from 5:00pm-7:00pm with an artist talk at 5:30pm. The gallery is open weekdays 10:00am-5:00pm
August First Friday
Join us every month in the heart of Carbondale’s Creative District to enjoy a wide range of local arts, galleries, shopping, award-winning restaurants and spirits, and live music and entertainment.
More details forthcoming.
53rd Annual Mountain Fair
Join Carbondale and the Roaring Fork Valley community in celebrating the best event of the summer, Mountain Fair, going 53 years strong! The heart+soul of the fair is all the love, history and humanity that have built community through art in Carbondale.
Enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, and loads of unique artisans; non-stop entertainment all weekend long.
July First Friday | Sopris Music Fest
Sopris Music Fest features a lineup of local musicians, curated by Steve’s Guitars at Chacos Park, art gallery openings and more! Enjoy the long holiday weekend in the heart of the Carbondale Creative Disrtict.
Porcelain Memories | (Re)Location: Perspectives of Two
Porcelain Memories is a solo exhibition by Dara Hartman.
(Re)Location: Perspectives of Two features artists Louise Deroualle and Molly Frantz.
The opening reception for both exhibitions is First Friday, July 5 from 5-7pm with an artist talk at 5:30pm.
Gateway Artist Meet-and-Greet
Join us and the artists of the Gateway Public Art Project for a meet-and-greet at Mountain Heart Brewing, the first 50 folks will get a free beer, yay! Also, thanks to our friends at Land + Shelter there will be some light refreshments.
5:30-7pm
1841 Dolores Way
Xerocks & Potholes | Analog Nature
Opening in the gallery May 24, Xerocks & Potholes by Lindsay Jones and Analog Nature, a collaborative show featuring works by Robert G. Burch and Rob Borchardt.
Both exhibitions will have an artists reception First Friday, June 7, from 5-7pm with an artist talk at 5:30pm.
Dandelion Day
Join us for a celebration of spring, sustainability, community and our town flower, the dandelion! The Parade of Species starts at 10am, at 2nd & Main Streets in front of KDNK, continuing down Main to Sopris Park. There you will find over 50 vendors, artists, crafters, makers, farmers, ranchers, growers, non profits, and local businesses.
Live music at the stage will play all day, with games in between sets.
Intimate Landscapes + 5Point Film Featured Artists
Local mixed media artist Ashley Mosher's solo exhibition "Intimate Landscapes" transmits, transforms, and transports the viewer through connection and awareness of their inner experience.
5Point Film is kicking off its 17th annual flagship festival with an art exhibition featuring special guests Tre'lan Michael and Renan Öztürk. Both artists are featured in film premieres at this year's festival and are known for pushing the envelope of creativity through their art.
13th Annual Green Is the New Black Fashion Extravaganza
Save the date for the best extravaganza of the spring! This event sells out annually with 600+ tickets sold per night, it's not to be missed!
This year’s theme is Fabulation: A Wild Romp Through the Future, diving into futuristic love and what a world immersed in AI might look like. Doors at 7pm, show begins at 8pm.
Interdimensional Threads
A collaborative exhibition featuring work by local painter/sculptor Chris Erickson and textile upholteress Claire Wright. Learn more about the exhibition here.
The opening reception with an artist talk is First Friday March 1, 5pm-7pm. The gallery is open weekdays 10am-5pm.
45th Annual Valley Visual Art Show
The Valley Visual Art Show (VVAS) is one of the longest-standing community art shows committed to showing the work of local artists. Beginning in 1980, the VVAS provides an opportunity for local artists to share their work with the community. This show is great for established and budding artists, or those new to the area.
Opening reception with the artists is Friday, January 19 5-7pm. On display through February 23.
The Carbondale Salon: Caught in the Light of Creativity
The Salon is an award-winning performance series, hosted by Alya Howe. This performance, Caught by the Light of Creativity features 6 artists- music, dance, and comedy. For joy, for fun, for awakening; these insightful artists embody risk taking, putting their voices out on a limb.
Saturday, January 6
6:00pm–8:00pm at The Launchpad