Welcome to Grand Junction, an art lover’s gem! This relatively undiscovered jewel is home to more than 275 working artists and 75 arts and cultural organizations. In fact, Grand Junction was the recipient of the 2007 Governor’s Arts Award, which recognizes a Colorado city or town that effectively employs the arts to enhance the quality of life and economic vitality of its community.

 

There are so many artsy, fun things to do, so to make the decision a little easier I’ve assembled a suggested itinerary for three days of artistic inspiration and entertainment. Are you ready? Let’s go!

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE: To get a comprehensive calendar of what’s shakin’ on Grand Junction’s cultural scene, request a free copy of the “Community Cultural Events Calendar” from Allison Sarmo at allisons@ci.grandjct.co.us. She’s Cultural Arts Coordinator for the Grand Junction Commission on Arts & Culture, and she’s happy to send you a copy. And if you plan on visiting individual artists’ studios while you’re here (and you should!) be sure to also ask Allison for “The Sourcebook: A Directory of Grand Junction Area Artists and Arts Organizations.”

 

 

10:00 am – When you first enter the Grand Valley, be sure to tune your car radio to KAFM, Grand Junction’s Community Radio. (With show names like “Midlife Crisis” and “ Rockn’ Blues Lab,” how could you not, right?) Then head out the door for a leisurely stroll down Main Street. Here, you’ll discover an outdoor art exhibit like no other. The city’s Art on the Corner sculpture exhibit is the first of its kind in Colorado, and one of the first in the country. With more than 100 original sculptures created in everything from bronze, iron, chrome to other unusual materials, there’s something for everyone! And, while you’re viewing these wonderful sculptures along tree-lined streets, be sure to pop into any of the delightful shops, galleries and more you’ll find along the way. A few of my favorites are FrameWorks Gallery and the Working Artists Studio on Main Street, as well as HangUps Gallery on Colorado Avenue. Unique Expressions, Razzmatazz and Girlfriends (all three on Main Street) also carry wonderful jewelry, pottery and gifts by fine artists. And, while you’re here, might as well grab lunch at any of the great and varied restaurants downtown. Yum!

 

2 p.m. – After you are re-energized from lunch, head over to the Museum of the West on Ute Avenue downtown. (It’s just a few blocks from Main Street; you can ask anyone for directions). Here, you’ll discover the real Wild West in a thousand years of history. With everything from exhibits on Colorado’s most famous cannibal, Alfred Packer, to an Adobe dwelling filled with one of the country’s finest collections of Southwest pottery, you can’t go wrong. At $5.50 for adults, $4.50 for seniors and $3 for children, it’s a great value, too.

 

4 p.m. – I don’t know about you, but around this time is when I need a little pick-me-up. Visit Coffee Mugger’s Coffeehouse and Cafe on Main or Colorado Java House on Colorado for a latte, tea or other liquid concoction to raise your spirits. You’ll also be able to enjoy local artist’s exhibits while you sip and/or slurp. For this evening’s dinner, check out some of the suggestions of Food & Wine Expert “Chef Wayne.”

 

Evening – Depending on your mood, choose from the Grand Valley’s wide assortment of entertainment. On any given day you can check out a concert or movie at The Avalon, listen to a concert by the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, attend a live theatrical production by Two Chairs Theater Company or Mesa State College Theatre, take in quality performances by the High Desert Opera or head to Boomers nightclub on Main Street to dance to (or not) the talents of a local band. It’s all good!

 

 

10:00 am – The Western Colorado Botanical Gardens is a good way to start your day amid the beauty of botanicals and butterflies. Located just south of downtown, the gardens offer 600 varieties of tropical plants (yes, here in the desert) as well as numerous themed gardens and a butterfly house. There are even turtles and fish meandering in freshwater ponds. With a minimal entrance fee, this is a quick an inexpensive trip to the land of Zen.

 

Noon – This is what I would do in ANY city if I could: Visit a multitude of visual artists’ studios. With more than 275 working artist in this valley, you have plenty of opportunities to see incredible photography, paintings, sculpture and ceramics by creative types who show in galleries all over the country. If you’ve called in advance for “The Sourcebook,” you can look in there to get artists’ phone numbers to call and arrange a studio visit. If not, you can still head out to the largest gallery in the valley, The Blue Pig Gallery in Palisade (open 10 am – 6 pm every day except Monday) and view work by more than 30 of the area’s finest artists. If you want to see more, feel free to ask whoever is working for phone numbers to arrange other studio visits. (Don’t be nervous. Local artists are very friendly folk.) By the way, Mary Mansfield and I just happen to have our studios at The Blue Pig, so come on back and say howdy! 

 

While you’re at The Blue Pig, be sure to buy a copy of The Grand Valley Magazine, which is packed with wonderful photos, recipes, happenings, stories and more – all pertaining to, you guessed it, the Grand Valley.

 

I could probably spend a full month visiting galleries and studios, but we’re on a three-day mission here, so off we go! If you check out Chef Wayne’s Food & Wine itinerary, you’ll see that his suggestions coincide geographically with mine, so you can do them all – and even work in a hike or two recommended by Outdoor Expert Bill.

 

Evening – Once again, check out the local events calendar (also available in our local papers – The Daily Sentinel and the GJ Free Press) or the Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau’s online Events Calendar on this site to decide what trips you trigger. There are a multitude of entertainment and cultural options waiting to be discovered.

 

 

Whenever you darn well decide to get up – A cultural tour of Grand Junction just wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Western Colorado Center for the Arts (affectionately called The Art Center by locals). Here you’ll discover a minimum of three exhibits at any given time. The fine art variety is vast – from contemporary to traditional, two-dimensional and three-dimensional, even an occasional bonsai exhibit. Celebrating its 55th year, The Art Center also houses a wonderful gift shop featuring arts and crafts from several of the area’s artists. For just a $3 entrance fee (children under 12 are free, as is everyone on Tuesdays) this visual delight is a “no brainer.” Except of Mondays, when it’s closed.

 

We can’t wait for you to visit our cultural oasis, nestled in one of the country’s most diverse and scenic valleys! There are so many wonderful artists here who love to share their talents. It truly is an artists’ haven, and if you check back each week I’ll tell you just how to best experience it.