About Us
Colorado Art Ranch is a nomadic arts organization, founded on the belief that the arts are catalysts for change. In support of that belief we offer residencies for literary and visual artists, and Artposia for the public.
We travel to Colorado towns each year to sponsor one-month residencies for artists from around the world. Colorado Art Ranch also hosts a public forum, called an Artposium, to promote conversations on how the arts intersect with land and social issues.
A Unique Arts Organization
Nomadic. Colorado Art Ranch owns neither land nor buildings. We bring the residencies and Artposia to Colorado towns where housing, studio space, and conference facilities are rented or donated.
Interdisciplinary. Every residency mixes literary and visual artists to promote the exchange of ideas. Each Artposium explores how the arts intersect with life and the land from myriad viewpoints.
Boundary-crossing. Because Colorado Art Ranch is nomadic, it connects artists, writers, and supporters from many communities across the state. Because it is interdisciplinary, the Artposium fosters collaboration among artists, writers, scientists, and policy makers.
Community-building. Colorado Art Ranch serves communities across the state, requires artists-in-residence to donate time to the towns that host them, recruits local ambassadors to serve as “Art Buddies” for the visiting artists and draws on local experts for some of the presentations at the Artposia.
Mission
Many of us are looking for ways to understand and address previously unimagined challenges in the world. Colorado Art Ranch believes that the arts, in collaboration with the sciences, can help solve contemporary land and social issues. Our organization strives to nurture the development of literary, visual and performing artists who ask difficult questions through their work; stimulate interdisciplinary collaborations that help envision solution; and build the creative capital in towns throughout Colorado.
Vision
Colorado Art Ranch envisions a world where creative interdisciplinary thinking is cultivated, valued, and used to solve land and social issues.
Values
Colorado Art Ranch is built on the values of community giving, land stewardship, collaboration, respect for our country’s rura lheritage, creativity, openness of heart, and laughter.
Colorado Art Ranch does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability.
Board of Directors
Michael Mowry
President
Mowry Studio LLC , Arch. Visualization Expert
Photographer
Cathi Schwalbe
Board Member
Artist
Melissa Olson
Secretary
Marketing Professional
Stevan Simich
Board Member
Software and Financial Professional
Carol Ozaki
Vice President
Business Owner
Grant Pound
Executive
Director
Lawless Design
Ranch Photograper
Suzanne Shaff
Co-Founder
Peggy Lawless
Poet Laureate
Marj Hahne
Advisory Group
Durango
Lisa Self
Steve Self
Robin Wiles
Mary Ellen Long
Jules Masterjohn
Maureen May
Ridgway/Ouray
Meredith Nemirov
Patsy Young
Nori Frances
Gail Kennedy
Suzy Opdahl
Salida
Denny Arter
Susan J. Tweit
Sherrie York
Roberta Smith
David Tipton
Fort Collins
Darlene Morse
Tracy Badsgard
Laura Pritchett
Delta County
Jeanne Durr
Alyssa Pinkerton
Michele Nijhuis
Kelli Hepler
John Cooley
Mary Hockenbery
Steamboat Springs
Beth Banning
Nancy Kramer
At Large
Bill Stoehr
Chad Dalton
Maria Cole
Gavin Maurer
Donors
Colorado Art Ranch enjoys the support of a number of individuals. We are grateful for our partners in our mission. Donors list
Collaborations
As we travel to various towns throughout Colorado we have benefited from collaborations with other organizations. This is a great boon to our mission.
The Nature Conservancy, Steamboat Springs
Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver
Maribou Ranch, Steamboat Springs
Metro State College of Denver
Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Epilogue Book Company, Steamboat Springs
ArtWorks for the Heart of the Rockies, Salida
Durango Arts Center, Durango
Book Haven, Salida
Maria's Books, Durango
