Admiring the View
One perfect art-filled day in Colorado Springs.
Dougald Macdonald | September 2009
The beauty of Pikes Peak has inspired artists since the 19th century, yet only in the past few years has a diverse, truly exciting arts community blossomed in Colorado Springs, the city that lies in Pikes Peak's shadow. With major museum expansions, new galleries, and a wide range of community efforts to bring fine arts to the fore, the Springs has seen a burst of artistic energy that's drawing art lovers from all across the state.
You can explore many of Colorado Springs' best art spaces in a day trip from Denver, but start early—there's a lot to see. Plan to arrive at the Fine Arts Center (FAC), the Springs' premier art museum, when the doors open at 10 a.m. Exit I-25 on Uintah Street, then turn south on Cascade Avenue to reach the FAC, which traces its roots to the Broadmoor Art Academy, established in 1919 with instructors from the Art Students League of New York. In August 2007, the FAC unveiled a beautiful 48,000-square-foot expansion to its 1936 art deco building, with extensive new gallery space.
Exhibits at the FAC include a splendid collection of American paintings, whimsical Mexican ceramics, and a fascinating pairing of Dale Chihuly glass and Native American baskets. New exhibitions of contemporary and 20th century landscape painting open in September, and a traveling Smithsonian exhibit of NASA art opens December 19.
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