Meet The Art Center of Estes Park

Nestled above the rest of NOCO Estes Park brings a unique perspective and vibe to everything they do, from the cozy day trips from Fort Collins to the artists that call it home. The Art Center of Estes Park is at the heart of this community.

Meet: The Art Center of Estes

What is the story of the Art Center of Estes?

The Art Center of Estes Park opened as a non-profit gallery in 1988. This was the vision of several local artists, many of whom are still participating members of the center. This 501-c-3 organization is dedicated to education and excellence in the visual arts, and is operated through artist and community volunteers, membership, sales, and donations. Approximately 40 participating artists display a wide variety of media and a team of artists and volunteers work together to operate the gallery.

What sets you business apart?

Our commitment to the arts in Estes Park! In addition to offering nine separate art exhibitions a year, each with a festive opening reception, we sponsor Estes Valley Plein Air, a fall event featuring artists from around the country who have been invited and juried to participate in this paint out, including a Quick Paint and Auction, and a gala opening reception. We also host FACE of Fiber in the Rockies each spring, featuring invited national fiber artists. Plus, we are a great source for arts education, offering a multitude of adult and multi-generational art classes for beginners and advanced students alike. Our mentor program reaches into the local elementary and high schools, offering students a chance to work with our artists and exhibit their own work at the gallery once a year. We offer an annual scholarship to a worthy high school student looking to continue their art education at the college level. 

Why do you love living and working in the Northern Colorado community?

Northern Colorado is special, and Estes Park especially so. Locals and tourists alike love our gallery, the combination makes our customers special. We have many repeat visitors who realize that we're closer than you think, and make a visit to the gallery a regular part of a trip to Estes and Rocky Mountain National Park.

If your business had a personality, how would you describe it?

1. Sparkling Our personality sparkles through the great variety of work our artists have on display.

2. Warm and Welcoming We’re not the stuffy, stuck-up place you might think of when you hear the words “art gallery.”

3. Easy-going We don’t pressure you to do anything but enjoy the art we have on display to share with you. But if you’d like to make a purchase, we’re there to make it as easy as possible.

What makes you passionate about what you do, and why?

We love representing and giving leading local and regional artists a special place to display their work, and visitors to the Art Center a place to take classes, view exceptional exhibits, and purchase original art ranging in media from oil, pastel, watercolor, acrylic, and mixed media paintings; to one-of-a-kind jewelry; woodworking, fiber pieces; and pottery.

Want to visit? Check out their website at https://www.artcenterofestes.com/ or give them a call at (970) 586-5882