Fine Arts Center

Portraits in Oil
2022-07-25 09:30 - 11:15 (America/Denver) | Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Pl, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Inspired by Rembrandt’s palette and layering techniques, this class will provide a strong foundation for developing portrait painting skills and/or expanding and enriching your current practice. Informed with the instructor’s years of personal development and experience, the approach is a simple, step-by-step process designed for minimal anxiety and a solid foundation to continue to expand your skills confidently after the class ends. Non-toxic alternatives to the traditional mixing mediums and paints will be covered. As the course ends, adding one’s distinctive mark to these fundamental oil painting techniques and color palettes will be discussed and implemented.

Anyone Can Whistle
2022-07-28 19:00 - 21:30 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
A Youth Rep Ensemble Production | Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim | Book by Arthur Laurents
Anyone Can Whistle tells the story of a corrupt mayoress who fakes a miracle to revitalize her bankrupt town and the ill-fated romance between the rational nurse, out to expose the fraud, and the easygoing doctor who is determined to enjoy the chaos that it brings. In the end, the show delivers a poignant message about the importance of the individual in a conformist society — but not before aiming its still-relevant barbs at government, religion, science, and anything else that stands in its way!
With its circus-like atmosphere, Anyone Can Whistle features plenty of memorable, lovably cartoonish roles of all sizes. The dazzling, melodic Broadway-style score overflows with the youthful energy of experimentation, consisting of one showstopper after another, including two extensive ballets that provide opportunities for some inspired choreography.

Action/Abstraction Redefined
2022-07-29 - 2023-01-08 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Action/Abstraction Redefined presents modern Native American art from the 1940s through the 1970s. The exhibition features 55 artworks by leading artists such as Fritz Scholder (Mission/ Luiseño), George Morrison (Chippewa), and T.C. Cannon (Kiowa), organized by influences of major twentieth-century art movements including Abstract Expressionism, Color Field, and Hard-Edge painting.

Ascending Actors—Art in ACTion
2022-07-25 09:00 - 12:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Register for Art in ACTion$250 ($225 FAC members) Ages 11-13
Devise a new piece of theatre through conversation, collaboration, and experimentation. Guided discussion and theatre exercises focused on the issues facing middle schoolers, our local community, and the national landscape will result in a brand new, one-of-a-kind performance by the students of this class. Singing, dancing, acting, writing, designing, directing and activism in the arts will all be explored in the class. This session will culminate with a performance of their original work during the final class.

Youth Rep Ensemble
2022-06-27 09:00 - 17:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Five-week intensive (Ages 14-18)
Details on performance track, design/technical track, and auditions
The FAC’s Youth Repertory Theatre program is the only professional training program for student actors and design technicians in the Pikes Peak region.
The Fine Arts Center Theatre Company offers students interested in pursuing careers in performance and/or design & technical theatre a five-week intensive training program. Youth Repertory Ensemble is an inclusive, safe and supportive space for students looking to explore and experiment with the theatrical form through a carefully designed combination of rehearsals and class work. The performance and technical tracks of the program have been designed for both new and returning students in order to develop basic skills as well as foster continual learning and growth.
See Collaborative Projects from Youth Repertory Ensemble Students in 2020 on FAC Connect

Exploring Watercolor
2022-07-12 10:30 - 12:30 | Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Pl, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Discover the unrivaled and endless possibilities of watercolor. Build a repertoire of skills from choosing proper materials, brilliant colors, radiant blends, shadow and light all while incorporating traditional and experimental techniques. No need for natural talent. Just the desire to learn the limitless possibilities of this magnificent, versatile medium.

August FAC Member Tour
2022-08-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Join Curatorial Paraprofessional Savanah Pennell for a tour of Robert Blackburn & Modern American Printmaking. Curated by Deborah Cullen, this exhibition is brought to the FAC by the Smithsonian Institution for Traveling Exhibition Service. This tour will explore the life and career of master printmaker Robert Blackburn, and the collaborative communities that he was a part of. Free for members, RSVP through the link sent in your member email or by calling (719) 634-5581.

FAC Happy Hour at Homa Café & Bar
2022-08-11 17:00 - 19:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Join us for the next stop in our 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, we hope to see you August 11 at Homa Cafe & Bar at Kinship Landing.
FAC members and theatre season subscribers will receive extended happy hour specials during the event: $2 kinship lagers, $2 off drafts, $6 house wine, and $5 well spirits. Just stop by the FAC table at the event to pick up a discount ticket.
Event location: 415 S Nevada Ave (Kinship Landing Hotel). We’ll also be handing out FAC museum admission passes, so bring a friend!
No RSVP needed

Ceramic Sets
2022-08-20 10:00 - 13:00 | Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Pl, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
In these two sessions, learn some new techniques and get creative with a variety of handbuilding methods. Make a set of wares that will be a functional memento. Make ceramics to serve drinks, snacks, or whatever you choose!

Making Memories Downtown History Stroll
2022-08-20 10:00 - 13:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
FAC members are invited to a special downtown walking tour in partnership with the Pioneers Museum. From the colorful displays of Hispanic heritage at La Fiesta Bonita in Acacia Park, to the anti-Vietnam War peace vigils held in front of the U.S. Post Office, history is made downtown. On this walking tour guests will explore the meaning of downtown for previous generations and in their own lives, as they consider stories of celebration and protest, identity and belonging, entrepreneurship, and carrying on beloved traditions.
Join a knowledgeable guide from the Pioneers Museum for this ¾ of mile downtown stroll that starts and ends at Story Coffee Co. (120 E. Bijou St) in Acacia Park. The tour will last approximately 90 minutes. Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring water, and be sure to dress for the weather.
Buy tickets
Space is limited, $5 per person
Not a member? Join today for as little as $5 per month!
Image: Pikes Peak Avenue with Second Antlers Hotel (c. 1950) courtesy of Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

Chicanx Landscapes
2022-08-26 10:00 - 2023-03-05 16:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
This exhibition explores landscapes as a system of ecology, history, culture and belonging from a Chicanx perspective with new works presented by the interdisciplinary artist collaborative, Desert ArtLAB. Desert ArtLAB is an interdisciplinary artist collaborative co-directed by April Bojorquez (she/her) and Matthew Garcia (he/him) whose work promotes Indigenous perspectives on ecological practice and climate change. Bojorquez and Garcia were the 2022 Mellon Artists in Residence for the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College.

Art Adventure Day
2022-08-27 11:00 - 14:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center’s Bemis School of Art will host a free Art Adventure Day in our studios! Pop in to check out what we have to offer and explore your creativity in drawing, painting, and sculpture! Art Adventure Day will offer a variety of hands-on art projects in the Bemis School of Art studio classrooms along with artist demonstrations and interactive, self-guided activities. Bemis instructors will help guide you to awaken your art-making skills or show you new possibilities in art making. Everyone is welcome! Attendees also receive free museum admission.
FAC Member early access from 10–11 a.m.
Open to the public from 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Please RSVP to Art Adventure Day

Community Free Day
2022-08-28 10:00 - 16:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
In honor of the Inauguration of L. Song Richardson, Colorado College’s 14th President, join us for an extra Museum Free Day this month. This day will include hands-on art activities and speed seminars. Find details here: coloradocollege.edu/inauguration.
Let us know you are coming!
See what’s on view in the museum
