Fine Arts Center

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!
2024-03-03 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-03-02 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-03-09 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-03-03 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Denver) | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
It’s not easy being the Pigeon—you never get to do ANYTHING! But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird CAN do something. With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling, Caldecott Honor award-winning Pigeon picture books, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping.

Museum Free Day
2023-05-19 10:00 - 20:00, 2023-05-13 10:00 - 17:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Museum Free Days are offered the second Saturday and third Friday of each month. See what’s on view in the museum

Celebrating Women Artists
2024-03-15 13:00 - 16:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Due to severe weather, the Fine Arts Center is CLOSED on Friday, March 15 and this event has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience!

Visit the Agents of Care gallery to explore a selection works by women artists. Collections staff will be on hand between 1-4 p.m. to engage with visitors in a special drop-in program that is free and open to the public. Works will be on display for the month of March in recognition of Women’s History Month.
Image: Madame de Pompadour (née Poisson) Tea Service by Cindy Sherman, 1990. From the collections of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College.

Experiencing Jazz: An American Artform Libation Lecture
2024-03-15 17:30 - 18:30 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Due to severe weather, the Fine Arts Center is CLOSED on Friday, March 15 and this event has been canceled.
The Libation Lecture will be rescheduled for a future date. Ticket holders should check their email for information about the rescheduled event. We apologize for any inconvenience!

As with history in general, jazz history can be analyzed, catalogued, and debated. However, as with any art form, if we are to gain a glimpse into the true nature of jazz, we must experience it for ourselves. This interactive, participatory event brings jazz history to you ‘live’ as the Tidal Breeze Creos Trio provides jazz interludes to accompany historical references. Attendees will experience a variety of historical and contemporary jazz styles and jazz improvisation. We will also have a fun time playing Jazz Jeopardy.
This lecture coincides with the exhibition Clarence Shivers: Experimenting with Form, currently on view at the FAC through July 6.
Themed drink: Tidal BreezeTM Daiquiri
Lecturer: Terri Pederson: Tidal Breeze Jazz Arts, LLC., Jazz Musician, BME, MBA (Retired Vice President, dpiX, LLC)
$10 for FAC members, $15 for non-members, includes your first drink
The Tidal Breeze Creos Jazz Trio brings Creative Energy to jazz and Latin jazz, while also playing new compositions and a wide variety funk, blues, swing, and New Orleans styles. The Tidal Breeze Creos Trio features Terri Pederson on trumpet, Matt Podschweit on keyboard, and Pat Abbot on bass.
Terri Pederson is a Trumpet / Flugelhorn player who leads Tidal Breeze Jazz Arts and the Creos Jazz Trio. Terri has performed with singer Ernestine Anderson, singer / entertainer Clint Holmes, and jazz greats Bill Watrous and Phil Urso. Terri’s recent composition “Ode to the Emergency Room” can be heard on YouTube and Spotify and features Pat Abbott on a killer electric bass solo.
Keyboardist Matt Podschweit’s versatility has led to gigs and recording work with jazz, rock, blues, folk, top 40, and big band artists. Matt has appeared with such notable acts as the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, The Four Lads, Little Anthony and the Imperials; and is currently appearing with the SofaKillers, Treo, Eric Ellison, and Tidal Breeze.
Bassist Pat Abbott is an Orchestra Director in the public school system as well as a college level Adjunct Professor of Jazz Studies. Pat has performed with legendary jazz masters Bill Watrous, Paul Smoker, and Phil Haynes and is very in demand throughout the region.
Creos: from the Latin “Creo”, to make or create.
About Libation Lectures
Libation Lectures is a lecture series offering an educational twist to the traditional happy hour. Each lecture explores an aspect of the amazing art and featured artists from various Fine Arts Center exhibitions served up with a themed drink to help you dive deep into the topic.

The Fine Arts Center Look Ahead 2024–25
2024-04-05 17:00 - 19:30 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Join us for a special First Friday Art Party as we unveil the 2024-25 theatre season, showcase upcoming museum exhibitions, and introduce exciting Bemis School of Art classes with live demos from our talented instructors! We may even have a few surprises in store. You don’t want to miss out on all the fun and excitement, so be sure to mark your calendar and come celebrate with us! This event is free and open to the public; no reservations required.
5–6:15 p.m.: Chat with Bemis School of Art Director Tara Sevanne Thomas and watch live demos from Bemis School of Art instructors; music by J. Chang-Tablada in Deco Lounge
6:15 p.m.: Welcome from Executive Director Nicole Herden and upcoming museum exhibitions with Director of Visual Arts and Museum Michael Christiano in Taste Restaurant
6:50 p.m.: Upcoming theatre season announcement with Producing Artistic Director Chris Sheley in the Mainstage Theatre
Members: This event will take place in lieu of the regularly scheduled member tour.

Fiesta Dancers Conservation Assessment
2024-04-11 10:00 - 11:30 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Come observe a condition assessment of Luis Jiménez’s brilliantly colored fiberglass and resin sculpture Fiesta Jarabe and learn about the steps needed to undertake the conservation of a sculpture like this. Fine art conservators from McKay Lodge Art Conservation Laboratory will join the FAC museum collections team to speak about the process and some of the challenges working with this medium. Over the years, materials used to create this beloved work have begun to breakdown under the fierce Colorado sun. The team at McKay Lodge have been providing conservation services for over 30 years and have treated Jiménez’s sculptures across the country. They have painstakingly perfected a technique for preserving these complex works and the museum is delighted to partner with them to begin the first steps towards caring for this sculpture.
This event is free and open to the public. We will meet in front of the museum near the sculpture, rain or shine.
Image: Fiesta Jarabe by Luis Jiménez, ca. 1995. Museum purchase with funds donated in memory of Mary Prindle, mother of Helen P. Grant. FA 2000.21

The Care of Indigenous Belongings at the FAC and a Conversation About NAGPRA
2024-04-11 15:00 - 17:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Join us for a conversation about NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) and the care of Indigenous belongings at the FAC. Museum staff and NASU representatives will be joined by Jackie Veninger of Bernstein and Associates to discuss what NAGPRA is, why the law was created, and her experience supporting cultural institutions to push beyond compliance. The museum team will speak about their collaboration with descendent communities to better care for the collection and they will provide an update on the FAC’s ongoing NAGPRA-related work.
This event is free and open to the public.
About Jackie Veninger
As a NAGPRA practitioner and archaeologist, Jackie Veninger has been committed to community informed research and social justice since the foundation of her career. Before joining Bernstein & Associates, Jackie worked in heritage management for tribal governments, museums, academia, and federal agencies, where she gained considerable social justice and heritage stewardship expertise in diverse roles, including NAGPRA coordinator, collections manager, researcher, and educator. Jackie received her PhD in archaeology from the University of Exeter (UK), focusing on contested landscapes, conflict and heritage of historically marginalized populations. She also has a considerable background in archaeological ethics and has taught courses on the decolonization of museum anthropology and cultural heritage law.
About Bernstein & Associates
Bernstein & Associates has over 35 years of experience working collaboratively with Indian Tribes, Alaska Native villages, Native Hawaiian organizations, museums, universities and colleges, government agencies, and lineal descendants to facilitate the repatriation of thousands of ancestors and cultural items. Their services include customized NAGPRA training, strategic planning, consultation meeting planning in support of NAGPRA implementation, NAGPRA document development, and consultation facilitation.

Colorado College Class-curated Exhibition Opening: Pop-up Collegium Concert
2024-04-12 17:00 - 18:30 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
How do museums display music? Using the Fine Arts Center as a learning lab, Dr. Lidia Chang’s MU 228 Music and the Museum course tackles this question with an exhibition exploring the history of the Collegium Musicum at Colorado College through a collection of historical instruments amassed by the Music Department.
Celebrate the exhibition opening with a pop-up performance by Collegium Musicum. Colorado College’s ‘Early-Music’ ensemble, the Collegium will perform music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods on instruments included in the exhibition.

Colorado College Class-curated Exhibition Opening: Curator Tours & Demos
2024-04-13 10:00 - 17:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
How do museums display music? Using the Fine Arts Center as a learning lab, Dr. Lidia Chang’s MU 228 Music and the Museum course tackles this question with an exhibition exploring the history of the Collegium Musicum at Colorado College through a collection of historical instruments amassed by the Music Department.
Join student curators for presentations, tours, and demonstrations throughout the day during Museum Free Day.

Yoga at the FAC
2024-04-13 11:00 - 12:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Join us for yoga with instructor Misty Banta in our beautiful glass-walled Smith Family Gallery. Participants are invited to stay and enjoy the museum for free after class. All experience levels are welcome.

Please bring your own mat. Water is allowed during class, but not in the museum galleries if you choose to visit.
Suggested donation of $10 to benefit the Fine Arts Center (you’ll also have the option to donate at class). Space is limited.

PLEASE RSVP

Spring Cleaning with Chihuly
2024-04-19 10:00 - 16:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Join the museum collections team for a special day of spring cleaning. Visitors are invited to watch staff dust and polish the massive glass chandeliers hanging throughout the museum created by artist Dale Chihuly. Learn how the museum cares for these works and see them shine like new (locations and times below). Swing by the Agents of Care gallery to view some of Chihuly’s works not currently on display. Collections staff will be in the Agents of Care gallery to speak with visitors from 1–4 p.m. This drop-in program is free and open to the public.
Chandelier Cleaning Times
Untitled Chandelier, Museum Lobby: 10 a.m.
Gilded Blue Sapphire Chandelier, Deco Lounge: 11 a.m.
Orange Hornet Chandelier, Lane Family Gallery: 1 p.m.

The Jonathan Larson Effect: How Rent Changed the American Musical Theatre Experience Libation Lecture
2024-04-19 17:30 - 18:30 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Join our resident cabaret artist, J. Chang-Tablada to hear songs from Rent and learn more about the incredible impact that Jonathan Larson made on the American musical theatre landscape.
Larson lived in poverty, waited tables, and worked seven years to bring his rock opera Rent to the stage — only to collapse and die the night before previews were to open at the Off-Broadway New York Theater Workshop. Rent became an enormous success and achieved Larson’s ambition of updating musical theater and making it relevant to younger audiences.
This lecture coincides with the theatre show Rent, on stage at the FAC May 2–June 2.
Themed drink: Bohemian Cocktail
Lecturer: J. Chang-Tablada, Resident Cabaret Artist and FAC Theatre Company Music Director
$10 for FAC members, $15 for non members, includes your first drink
FAC Members must login to receive the discount (discount will appear in check out cart)

BUY TICKETS

Reading with Lee Ann Roripaugh
2024-04-25 18:00 - 19:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Lee Ann Roripaugh (she/they) is a biracial Nisei and the author of five volumes of poetry, mostly recently tsunami vs. the fukushima 50 (Milkweed Editions, 2019), which was named a “Best Book of 2019” by the New York Public Library, selected as a poetry Finalist in the 2020 Lambda Literary Awards, cited as a Society of Midland Authors 2020 Honoree in Poetry, and was named one of the “50 Must-Read Poetry Collections in 2019” by Book Riot. Her collection of fiction, Reveal Codes, was selected as winner of the Moon City Press Short Fiction Award and published by Moon City Press in late 2023, and their chapbook, #stringofbeads, a winner in the Diode Editions Chapbook Competition, was released from Diode Press in 2023. She was named winner of the Association of Asian American Studies Book Award in Poetry/Prose for 2004, and a 1998 winner of the National Poetry Series. The South Dakota State Poet Laureate from 2015-2019, Roripaugh is a Professor of English at the University of South Dakota, where they serve as Editor-in-Chief of South Dakota Review.
This event is free and open to the public; RSVPs are requested.
PLEASE RSVP
This program is presented in partnership with the Colorado College English Department.

Acrylic Portrait Painting Inspired by Clarence Shivers
2024-04-27 13:00 - 17:00 | Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Pl, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Experience the allure of Clarence Shivers’ influence through captivating portraits in the Fine Arts Center galleries. Delve into the Clarence Shivers: Experimenting with Form exhibition, where you can witness firsthand his diverse approach to the art of portraiture. Following this enriching exploration, we will move to the Painting Studio for a hands-on session. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to craft your own portrait using acrylic paint on canvas. Through guidance, you’ll explore various techniques in portrait composition, delve into the dynamic qualities of acrylic paint, experiment with color mixing, and cultivate your unique artistic style. This immersive experience promises to boost your confidence in portrait painting while equipping you with skills for countless years of joyful and creative expression. We will meet at the Fine Arts Center lobby promptly at 1 p.m.
Level III – This class is for those who have significant experience in the medium – two to three or more classes or a year or more of experience.
Ages 16-Adult

Carnival (Summer Music Festival Class)
2024-05-02 17:00 - 18:30 | Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Pl, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Students will create illustrations for the presentation of The Carnival of the Animals at the Colorado College Summer Music Festival. Drawing skills are required as well as a love of making art. We will focus on creating the cast of joyful animal characters inspired by Camille Saint Saens musical composition. A roaring lion, a kangaroo wearing pajamas, a stately swan, and a squealing donkey are a few of the fun-loving characters we will create. While the orchestra performs the musical composition and a narrator reads the story, the student’s illustrations will be shown on a screen for the audience to view. This is a unique opportunity for young creatives and their families to enjoy. Supplies will be provided.
Ages 8-12
REGISTER

Rent
2024-05-02 19:30 - 22:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Based loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme, Jonathan Larson’s Rent follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

FAC Member Tour
2024-05-03 16:00 - 17:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Join Alana Adams, Assistant Curator of Collections, for a tour of works from the Fine Art Center’s permanent collection featured in Hương Ngô’s exhibition Ungrafting. The tour will offer an opportunity to connect with the permanent collection via a diverse selection of artworks and learn more about different modern and traditional artistic methods. Visitors will also gain insight into how these selections relate to the themes explored in Ungrafting.
Not a member? Join today!
RSVP FOR TOUR
Make a night of it! Stick around after the tour for our First Friday Art Party.

First Friday Art Party
2024-05-03 17:00 - 20:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Join us for our First Friday celebration from 5–8 p.m. Enjoy the stunning ambiance offered by the FAC’s chic, historic venue.

Free museum admission
Attendees receive BOGO tickets to Rent
Art in Deco Lounge
Music by Colorado College band Sally and the Swamp Goblins
Drinks and snacks available for purchase
FREE downtown shuttle, THE ZEB, running along Tejon Street to downtown art galleries
