GUNNISON-CRESTED BUTTE, Colo.— The arts are a permanent part of Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado's culture.  The communities have been nurturing and growing four longtime art festivals set against the beauty of the Colorado Rockies: 36th annual Crested Butte Festival of the Arts, 35th annual Gunnison Art in the Park, 20th annual The People's Fair, and 17th annual Land of Rainbow Quilt Festival.  
 
Also throughout the summer and fall, Crested Butte's ArtWalk Evenings and First Fridays: Gunnison Gallery Crawl & Music bring art enthusiasts on a tour of the galleries and other businesses displaying artwork.  First Fridays is held the first Friday of the month, May – September, and ArtWalk is the last Thursday evening of the month, June – September.  
 
There is no admission charge for the festivals or gallery evenings.
 
Schedule of Art Events
July 24            ArtWalk Evening, Crested Butte Galleries & Studios
July 27            35th Annual Gunnison Art in the Park, Legion Park
August 1         First Fridays: Gunnison Gallery Crawl & Music
August 2 -3     36th Annual Crested Butte Arts Festival, Elk Avenue
August 23       High Octane Arts & Crafts Festival, Gunnison's Legion Park
August 28       ArtWalk Evening, Crested Butte Galleries & Studios
August 29 – Sept. 1:   17th Annual Land of Rainbow Quilt Festival, Gunnison Arts Center
August 30        20th Annual The People's Fair, Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
September 5     First Fridays: Gunnison Gallery Crawl & Music
September 25   ArtWalk Evening, Crested Butte Galleries & Studios
 
GUNNISON
First Fridays: Gunnison Gallery Crawl & Music, Aug. 1, Sept. 5
Gunnison's art and music scene are coming together for First Fridays: Gunnison Gallery Crawl & Music.  Held from May through September, view great art and meet artists at several galleries and businesses.  The 5 - 7 p.m. event also features live music outside the venues and at downtown's IOOF Park.  For more information call (970) 641-1501.  First Fridays is coordinated in partnership with the Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce.
            
35th Annual Gunnison Art in the Park, July 27
Gunnison's Legion Park serves as the backdrop for the 35th annual Gunnison Art in the Park, organized by the local chapter of American Association of University Women (AAUW).  On July 27, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., approximately 60 artists will exhibit and sell their creations during this juried event.  
 
Gunnison Art in the Park enjoys a large number of return exhibitors, with at least one artist not missing any of the event's 35 years.  Exhibitors will feature jewelry, stained glass, wood items, sculpture, baskets, fabric art, furniture, photography, pottery and more.  
 
Live entertainment, a face painting station for kids, and food and beverage booths by the Gunnison Literacy Action Program also are part of the fun.  Proceeds from the event benefit AAUW's local scholarship program for nontraditional students attending Western State College in Gunnison; AAUW's national education foundation; and a local project that is selected annually.
 
For more information or booth registration, contact nda Connaway at (970) 641-2638.  
 
High Octane Arts & Crafts Festival, August 23  
The Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce invites arts and crafts lovers to experience the High Octane Arts & Crafts Festival being held in conjunction with the Gunnison Car Show on Aug. 23.  The festival will be held from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in Legion Park, located across the street from Jorgensen Park, where the car show will be held on the same day.  
 
High Octane Arts & Crafts Festival (previously known as the Big Blue Marketplace and The Festival of Crafts & Arts) will showcase arts and crafts from around the region.  Also enjoy a barbecue lunch and refreshments prepared by F Bar Catering.  Fun for the whole family will be available.
 
For individuals interested in registering for a booth to sell arts and crafts or food, contact the Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce at (970) 641-1501 or visit gunnisonchamber.com. The deadline for booth applications is August 1, 2008.