Fine Arts Center

Kukuli Velarde: CORPUS
2022-01-14 - 2022-04-09 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
An installation of sculpture and textiles that encourages reflection on the meaning of survival in the face of colonialism by blending Indigenous and European aesthetics in a critical representation of the celebration of Corpus Christi in Peru.
Image: Patrón Santiago, 2012, Low fire clay, underglazes, casein paint, gold leaf. 33 x 19.3 x 10.45 in., Inspired by work from the Tiwanaku culture (Bolivia). Images courtesy the artist.

Diago: The Pasts of this Afro-Cuban Present
2022-02-11 - 2022-07-02 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
A leading member of the new Afro-Cuban cultural movement, visual artist Juan Roberto Diago (b. 1971) has produced a body of work that offers a revisionist history of the Cuban nation. His “history,” a term that he frequently inserts in his works using the visual language of graffiti, is not the official narrative of a racially harmonious nation, built thanks to the selfless efforts of generous white patriots.

Black Sound Series
2022-03-04 - 2022-06-18 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
The Black Sound Series features the work of three contemporary artists who use sound to investigate the construction of Black identity in the personal, social, and political spheres. In our Lane Gallery, Rodney McMillian explores how the words of twentieth-century musician Sun Ra resonate in the present; Cy X presents a newly commissioned audiovisual project featuring the figure of an Afro-Indigenous gardener navigating the impending apocalypse; and Camille Norment harnesses harmony, dissonance, and feedback in a sonic installation that responds to movements of protest and resistance.

Group Painting Reviews
2022-03-05 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Denver) | Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Pl, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Are you curious whether the paintings you are creating are “good?” Feedback from others who are not artists may not be helpful. How do you judge your own work objectively? This class will offer you an opportunity to learn about your work and the work of others in a supportive and educational group format. Dena has been a judge and juror for several local and national art shows. Bring in your work and let her help you make it stronger!
Level II – This class is for those who have taken at least one class in the medium. Student should be comfortable with the basics of how to use and manipulate the medium.

April FAC Member Tour
2022-04-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
FAC Members are invited to join curatorial paraprofessional, Savanah Pennell, for a tour of Diago: The Pasts of this Afro-Cuban Present, the first retrospective exhibition of prominent Cuban artist Juan Roberto Diago (b. 1971). This tour will explore Diago’s experience with race and identity across his career, and dive into how this can be seen though his choices in medium and subject matter.
No RSVP needed, check in at the front desk.
NOT A MEMBER? JOIN TODAY!

Crystalline Glazes
2022-01-25 09:00 - 12:00 | Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Pl, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Learn how to properly make, apply, and fire crystalline glaze while discovering the most attractive forms for these spectacular glazes. This is a fantastic opportunity to advance your knowledge of glazing in general and produce beautiful pieces of pottery. Supplies will be provided.
Level III – This class is for those who have significant experience in the medium — two or more classes or a year or more of experience.

The Story of Me. Told by Me!
2022-03-02 16:00 - 18:00 | Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Pl, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
We are the protagonists of our own stories. We see and interact with the world from our own point of view. By using cameras to show others how we interact with what we see, we can tell stories that allow us to foster a greater human connection with ourselves and the other people in our communities. Supplies will be provided.

Ages 9-12

Thrown and Altered Ceramics
2022-03-02 18:00 - 21:00 | Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Pl, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Throwing on the potter’s wheel and handbuilding combined into one fun class to make unique work! Use the pottery wheel to make while learning new techniques to alter your work with molds, sprigs, texturing, and hand forming, along with other methods.
Level 0 – This class is for the true beginner with no prior experience in the medium.

“Reframing Birds of America:” Conversations on Audubon
2022-04-08 - 2022-07-30 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
From 1827-1838 John James Audubon published Birds of America, which is generally considered to be among the finest examples of prints illustrating avian life in America. This exhibition Reframing Birds of America: Conversations on Audubon explores these historic prints with a contemporary lens. The FAC show, curated by Colorado College students, fosters appreciation of the prints while highlighting other voices in conversation with Audubon’s work. Reframing Birds of America: Conversations on Audubon comes from the Fine Arts Center’s collection of several hundred Audubon prints and includes rarely seen examples.

Tantalizing Textured Mugs
2022-03-11 10:00 - 13:00 | Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Pl, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Practice slab construction to hand build tantalizing mugs from textured clay slabs. Build mugs that have three or four feet, or build four-sided full-bodied forms using fold-up flat patterns. You will not be able to resist filling your mugs with your favorite beverage!
Level 0 – This class is for the true beginner with no prior experience in the medium
Semi-private – limit 5 students

Talking about Audubon
2022-04-09 14:00 - 15:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Drawing from the FAC’s collection, a class of 9 CC students has organized an exhibition of the renowned Birds of America prints by John James Audubon. Join the student curators of the exhibition Rethinking Birds of America: Conversations on Audubon for an in-gallery discussion of the prints, the birds, the artist, and the show.
Free and open to the public, space is limited.
Image: John James Audubon, Phoenicopterus Ruber, Linn. Old Male (Greater Flamingo) (detail), 1838
Collection of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, FA 1958.6.173, Gift of the Estate of Phillip B. Stewart

FAC Member and Subscriber Happy Hour at Local Relic
2022-04-14 16:00 - 19:00 | Colorado
Join us for a kickoff celebration of a new FAC happy hour series celebrating the “liquid arts.” No formal programming involved, just a casual gathering of FAC supporters getting out to socialize in new and different venues across our beautiful city. Highlighting local bars and restaurants in town, our first stop is Local Relic.
FAC members and theatre season subscribers will receive happy hour drink specials which include $7 beers, wine, and cocktails at The Carter Payne’s three bars: Crusade Wine Bar, Araucana Bespoke cocktails, and Local Relic Artisan Ales. Just mention that you’re a FAC member or subscriber when ordering.
No RSVP needed, stop by Local Relic anytime! Event location: 320 S. Weber St.
Not a member? Join now!
Please note: The parking lot directly in front of Local Relic is a paid lot.

Roundtable conversation with Juan Roberto Diago
2022-04-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Cornerstone Arts Center, 825 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Please join us for a roundtable conversation with Juan Roberto Diago (joining remotely), Alejandro de la Fuente, Director of the Afro-Latin American Research Institute at Harvard University, and Andrea Herrera, Professor of Literature and Women’s and Ethnic Studies at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
Free and open to the public. Please RSVP
Cornerstone Arts Center – Room 131 Screening Room

Handbuilding in Clay
2022-01-29 10:00 - 13:00 | Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Pl, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
This exciting workshop will focus on the techniques of handbuilding to communicate your style. Build what you want and learn how to transform a malleable ball of clay into a piece you love. This course demonstrates different building techniques and how to finish your work with glazing.
Level 0 – This class is for the true beginner with no prior experience in the medium.

The Legend of Georgia McBride
2022-04-21 19:30 - 21:30, 2022-04-24 14:00 - 15:00, 2022-04-27 19:00 - 20:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
He’s young, he’s late with the rent, and he just found out that he’s going to be a dad. And when his boss at a small-town Florida dive bar axes his Elvis act, replacing it with a flashy drag show, Casey decides to step out of the blue suede shoes of his comfort zone and into a pair of size 11 heels. From creating his persona to embracing his femininity, Casey has a lot to learn. But most of all, this sequin-filled story is a celebration of individuality and a reminder to all of us to live in our truths.

Watercolor Mountain Landscape and Techniques
2022-02-19 13:30 - 15:30 | Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Pl, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Discover new watercolor techniques and try something new! In this class, we will examine the art style of contemporary artist Jen Aranyi, practice drawing a simple, abstract mountain range, then outline it with black Sharpies, and finish the sky with watercolors to create a galaxy-like effect. We will discuss diverse ways to finish the foreground (in front of the mountains, such as trees, a river, a camping scene, etc.). Supplies will be provided.
Ages 12-16
