National Arts & Humanities Month 2024
Artober
October is National Arts & Humanities Month (NAHM)—also known as Artober.
(collage above created by Dana Buckingham using photographs & illustrations by: Florian Klauer, Jennie Razumnaya, Kari Shea, Stefany Andrade, Denise Jans & 灼灼流火)
The purpose of this month-long celebration of the arts is to:
FOCUS on equitable access to the arts at local, state and national levels
ENCOURAGE individuals, organizations and diverse communities to participate in the arts
ALLOW governments and businesses to show their support of the arts
RAISE public awareness about the positive impact of the arts and humanities in our communities and lives
Celebrate With Us
We want to join in the celebration by specifically highlighting some of the distinctive features of the Greeley Creative District along with some ideas about how to enjoy them.
Follow us on:
Facebook (@GreeleyCreativeDistrict) &
Instagram (@GreeleyCreativeDistrict)
and check back here for updates throughout October!
The Mural Scene in Greeley
WELD WALLS MURAL FESTIVAL
To wrap-up this year’s Artober features, we thought it would be fitting to celebrate the recent teamwork of two of our former board members and their tremendous gift to our community!
This September, the Greeley community came together to celebrate the installation of seven stunning public murals during the WeldWalls Mural Festival. Hosted on the WeldWerks Brewing Company’s campus, local artists and former GCD board members Briana Harris and Armando Silva collaborated to debut this event, allowing creative professionals to display their talents on a large scale.
Aerial view of the WeldWerks Brewing Co. campus where the Weld Walls Mural Festival took place (video captured by Black Turtle Studios)
The New West
Inspired by the event’s theme of The New West, these murals capture a blend of midwestern history and artistic expression. For over five days, artists and their teams worked tirelessly from sunup to sundown to bring their visions to life, touching on topics such as agricultural change, industrialization and the landscape shaped by innovation and urbanization.
(photos captured by Gii Astorga)
The Artists
Participating artists and teams include Al Frente Youth Collective, Allie Ogg, Alonzo Harrison, Betony Coons and her family, Lindee Zimmer, duo Jaime Molina & Pedro Barrios of The Worst Crew and Yazz Atmore. Additionally, a community wall invited local Greeley residents of all skill levels to leave their mark on the event. WeldWalls concluded with a lively unveiling on Saturday, September 21st, with music provided by local band 2MX2.
Although the festivities have come to an end, the murals will remain on display for the public to enjoy for the foreseeable future. To help navigate the installations, a wheat paste directory created by local artist and business owner Johanna Mueller is available on the southeast wall of the WeldWerks offices (717 6th St.), so be sure to explore each piece and support the artists by connecting with them on social media.
Walking Mural Tours
In collaboration with the Greeley Creative District, WeldWerks Brewing Co. is currently providing maps that highlight the locations of other mural installations created throughout the years, all residing within the District. Make an afternoon of exploring these pieces, and immerse yourself in the creative heartbeat of our historic city!
Where to Buy Local Art & Handmade Goods in the District
The Greeley Creative District is brimming with businesses that support local artists, makers and creatives. Whether the businesses are artist collectives and galleries, or they add local art as an addition to their core business offerings, these businesses help support our creative community! Visitors can discover everything from intricate pottery and stunning jewelry to handcrafted home decor and specialty foods, all while supporting the creative talents of their neighbors. This Artober, we encourage you to check them out! Here are a few to get you started:
Eden Gallery & Studio
Eden Gallery & Studio welcomes the opportunity to introduce local art to the community through art sales and receptions. They also offer multimedia art instruction that is ideal for the novice artist. They invite you to browse their unique gallery!
LOCATION: 926 8th Ave Greeley, CO 80631
Madison & Main Gallery
Madison & Main Gallery is an artist-owned cooperative gallery that has been bringing art to Greeley since 1987. Their professional artist collective features high-quality work across various mediums, including painting, photography, sculpture, functional and decorative pottery, mixed media, metalwork, fiber, glass and jewelry.
LOCATION: 927 16th St, Greeley, CO 80631
Makers Mercantile & Studio
This mercantile and gift shop showcases the work of over 100 local artisans. Explore their collection of pottery, jewelry, home decor, glasswork, metalwork, specialty foods, fiber arts, fine art and more! Plus, join them for artisan-led classes in their DIY creative spaces to make your own art and gifts!
LOCATION: 824 9th Street Suite A Greeley, CO 80631
Margie’s Market
Nestled inside one of Greeley’s oldest locally-owned coffee shops, Margie’s Java Joint, Margie’s Market invites you to come explore their collection of handmade and locally-made gifts, art and more!
LOCATION: 931 16th Street, Greeley, CO 80631
MiraSoul Ancestral Healing & Wellness
MiraSoul offers handmade products for holistic wellness and spiritual needs. They partner with over 20 local vendors to provide natural body products, including lotions, salves, soaps, scrubs, oils, chapsticks and CBD products safe for humans and animals. You’ll also find hand-blended herbal teas, local honey, nuts, seeds and a variety of handmade earrings and jewelry.
LOCATION: 716 16th St. Greeley, CO 80631
Trinkets N Treasures
Founded in 2018, this downtown shop features over 80 in-store crafting and artistic teammates at any given time. In addition to their regular store hours, they are now partnering with the Colorado Model Train Museum in downtown Greeley to produce and run a twice-monthly outdoor craft show called "The Treasure Walk!" Visit their Facebook page for more information.
LOCATION: 709 10th St, Greeley, CO 80631
UNC PerForming & Visual Arts
Did you know that you don’t have to be a student to enjoy the Arts at UNC?
The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) has an exciting lineup of events this fall featuring work from students and local talent. From gallery exhibitions to theater and dance performances, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Immerse yourself in the creative spirit of our community this Artober at UNC!
Art Walk & Receptions: Thursday, October 24, 4:30-6:30pm
Visit the galleries on campus to see the current exhibitions and meet the artists!
Caminos Por Andar: Latinx Futurism & Expanded Realities
September 23–November 7 | Campus Commons Gallery
Artist Lecture with Kaelyn Rodriguez: October 23, 5-6 p.m. | Guggenheim 001Caminos Por Andar (Paths to Be Taken) explores Latinx and Chicanx futurism in contemporary art through the lens of speculative fiction, magical realism and anti-colonial traditions. Featured artists engage with a liberated heritage to envision joyful and equitable futures through a variety of artistic mediums. Given the fluidity of human identity and blurred lines between culture and heritage, artists create freely from a place of diasporic understanding, drawing on their own ancestry and traditions to center Latinx and Chicanx experiences in imagined and alternate realities.
How to Earn Your Big Girl Panties by Moe Gram
October 16–November 22 | Mariani Gallery
Artist Talk: October 15, 5-6 p.m. | Guggenheim 001
Artist Workshop: October 25, Time & Location TBDHow To Earn Your Big Girl Panties is a nuanced tale of introspection that attempts to describe the challenges of learning to access self-love. Collage, projection and site-specific installation works illustrate the ever-wavering experience of growing up. Themes of play, frustration, empathy and self-compassion compete against each other in fields of color and found objects. Ultimately, we learn that the journey never ends—it just evolves.
Terran Last Gun
October 16–November 2 | Oak Room GalleryFrom the artist: My work explores the relationships between color, shape, land, cosmos, cultural narratives and experiences. As a Piikani visual artist, I am deeply influenced by Blackfoot painted lodges, hides, war shirts and archaeology throughout Montana and Alberta. Other sources of inspiration include ancient sites, petroglyphs, pictographs, pictorial imagery, rocks, rock formations and glacial erratics. My work bridges the ancient to the contemporary in the Indigenous North American narrative, all while creating visual color stimulation in my varied approaches to creating art.
UNC’s DAY OF ART
Friday, October 25
During UNC’s annual Day of Art students will share there talents with the community at numerous venues around Greeley! This all-day event features music, visual art, theatrical performances and more.
Performances
10:10-10:45am in Campus Commons Performance Hall, UNC Campus: UNC Chamber Choir
10:30-11:15am at LINC Library: Act Out A New Story (children’s workshop led by theatre education students)
12-12:45pm at Luna’s Tacos & Tequila: Senior Musical Theatre Student Performances
12:20-1:10pm in Campus Commons Performance Hall, UNC Campus: Latin Beats Ensemble
1-1:30pm at Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant: String ensemble chamber music performances
5:30-6pm in Lincoln Park downtown (corner of 9th Ave & 9th St): Pride of the Rockies Marching Band
Exhibitions
10am-8pm at The Midnight Oil Bookstore: School of Art and Design student work
10am-5pm in Campus Commons Gallery, UNC Campus: Caminos Por Andar: Latinx Futurism and Expanded Realities
11am-4pm in Mariani Gallery, UNC Campus: How to Earn Your Big Girl Panties by Moe Gram
11am-4pm in Oak Room Gallery, UNC Campus: Artwork by Terran Last Gun
Jekyll & Hyde
10/31-11/2 | 7:30pm
11/3 | 2pm
Jekyll & Hyde will take the stage at the Langworthy Theatre from October 31 to November 3. A “classic tale of depravity, lust, love, and horror”, this show kicks off just in time for Halloween. Get your tickets here.
With such a diverse array of events–whether you’re a fan of theater, music, or visual art–be sure to mark your calendars and support our local talent this fall!
THE AMBRY: CONNECT & CREATE
The exterior of the Ambry building on 16th St. between 7th & 8th Ave. in Downtown Greeley, CO | photo by: Shelby Perez, owner of Sixteenth St. Studio @shelfranciscreative & @sixteenthststudio
Perhaps you have noticed that the beautiful church across from John Galt Coffee Co has been remodeled and that the brick portion has been painted a rich black. Named The Ambry, The building is beautiful to behold, and one of the newest spaces to host creatives in our community!
WORK. SPACE.
The Ambry provides dedicated spaces that cater to a variety of needs, including: private office spaces, studios, a dedicated Zoom room and 30+ workspaces (comfortable chairs, standing desks, nooks, communal tables and conferencing options).
With a deep understanding of the evolving needs of individuals in the post-quarantine era, Owners Jeff and Kelly Cook embarked on a mission to create a space that could hold in balance community and personal productivity. The Ambry was born out of this desire—a co-working space that recognizes the profound human need for collaboration and the peace of a private office.
“The Ambry’s charm lies not just in the physical transformation of a vintage cathedral but in its ethos. We hope it can be a refuge for those who seek a place to be.”
Discover the creative businesses that call The Ambry home:
Sixteenth St. studio
This inventive photo studio holds the distinction of being Greeley's first photo and video studio.
Here, anyone is invited to join and be creatively free, immersing themselves in the exploration of their artistic passion.
Atlas Theater
Every element of this beautiful event space has been lovingly rebuilt and embellished by local artists. With a stunning patio, a cafe gallery and coffee/alcohol bar, main room equipped with sound and lighting and a newly added bridal suite next door, it can accommodate a variety of celebrations and events.
MiraSoul Ancestral Healing & Wellness
This sanctuary for healing, community, and ancestral wisdom offers a holistic approach to wellness by providing massage, spiritual/energetic work, herbal apothecary, handmade products and opportunities to connect deeply with yourself and others.
The Lavender Archive
This woman-owned/queer-owned tattoo shop is committed to creating a space that is safe and affirming for all of their clients. They believe that the tattoo experience is about crafting permanent works of art with clients.
Photos by: Shelby Perez, owner of Sixteenth St. Studio @shelfranciscreative & @sixteenthststudio
CREATIVE CLASSES IN GREELEY
For so many of us art class was our favorite class of the day in school. Did you know you can keep taking art classes at all these great places in Greeley?
WonderHand Studios
This communal print shop offers a variety of classes for all skill levels. The studio also offers membership options, private artist studios and services/resources to help creatives succeed in an artistic careers.
Mariposa Plants & Flowers
Family owned and operated, this flower shop offers so much more than just stunning arrangements, house plants and their accoutrements. In their intimate space, they host floral inspired workshops led by local artists.
Makers Mercantile & Studio
This studio exists to unite the artist with the art lover! Besides selling local, handmade products and gifts, they have two dedicated studios where artisans teach classes to help you create your own amazing art!
Workshops At LINC Library
Whether you want learn how to sew, carve, crochet or use woodshop equipment, there are a variety of classes and workshops offered at LINC to help you get creative!
The Ginger Cat
This unique fiber focused space offers minimally structured weaving, knitting, crochet and sewing classes catered to your personal skills/knowledge as well as themed classes depending on interest.
The Clay Center of Northern Colorado
Have you ever thought it would be fun to create your own cups, plates, bowls, a sculpture for your garden or anything you can imagine? Join one of their classes and find out how enjoyable and relaxing working with clay can be!
Showcase Art Center
Colette Pitcher, author of Watercolor for Dummies and Acrylic Painting for Dummies conducts online and in person painting classes. With a life time of experience in all forms of art, Colette unselfishly shares all the secrets she has accumulated!
LIVE PERFORMANCES IN GREELEY
Just like nearly every other month in Greeley, October is full of live performances! Why not check out a venue or show that you’ve never seen before? Enjoy a symphonic orchestra, experience a drag performance or catch your favorite national touring artist or a local band!
There are events for the whole family like Sugar Skull and others that cater to more mature audiences—like stand up comedy in a club atmosphere.
Here’s what’s happening around town:
Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure
Union Colony Civic Center
10/4 (7:30pm): Ashley McBryde
10/5 (7pm): Trinity Spanish Assembly of God Presents Alex Zurdo
10/8 (7pm): Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure
10/13 (7:30pm): Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary
10/19 (7pm): The Petty Nicks Experience
10/26 (7pm): Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra Presents Boldly Brahms
10/27 (4pm) The Mysto REALLY BIG Magic Show
WORKING: A Musical
UNC Performing Arts
10/3-10/13: WORKING: A Musical, Norton Theatre
10/10 (7:30pm): UNC Vocal Jazz Ensembles, Campus Commons Performance Hall
10/12 (7:30pm): Greeley Chorale - From Chant to Broadway, Campus Commons Performance Hall
10/17 (7:30pm): UNC Bands Concert, Campus Commons Performance Hall
10/28 (7:30pm): UNC All Choir Concert, Campus Commons Performance Hall
A Sampling of Events at Locals Bars, Clubs & Coffee Houses:
MoxI Theater
The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, Jarrod Dickenson - Thursday, Oct 17, @8pm at Moxi Theater
Nearly nightly performances from country to heavy metal and the “Drag Dramatica” show on Halloween is an experience that will end your Artober on a captivating and slightly spooky note!
477 Brewing
10/3 (7pm): Jazz Jam
10/12 (7pm): Tony Monoguerra
10/26 (7pm): Skyler Mendell
High Brau
10/4 (7pm) High Stakes @ High Brau is an Open MIC Comedy Competition
We hope you can make it out to one of these fabulous performances this month!
Enjoy our past features:
Artober 2023
Artober 2022