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| The Evergreen Experience |
By: Wendy Burt-Thomas
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As the new Executive Director of the Center for the Arts Evergreen, Steve Sumner might be the most recent addition to the staff, but he’s anything but green.
An artist himself, he’s shown in more than 60 one-person, group and juried exhibits, and been awarded two Fulbright Fellowships for creative work in the arts to study in Latin America. As an administrator, he’s spent 30 years in higher education, including a stint as the Professor of Design and Photography and the Director of the University of Tulsa’s School of Art; Provost of the University of Florida’s New World School of the Arts; and President of the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design in Lakewood.
“I’ve loved every position I’ve ever held, because I’ve always been surrounded by the arts in some form,” says Sumner. “In many ways, being the Executive Director of the Center (for the Arts Evergreen) is a culmination of all my previous experiences. The entire community is brimming with artists — painters, photographers, musicians, actors, writers, you name it. And there’s literally no part of Evergreen that goes untouched — or unaffected — by all the talent. Add to that the fact that the town itself is majestically beautiful in its mountain backdrop, with tons of open spaces for hiking and recreation, and you can see why Evergreen can attract the national attention that it does.”
Some of the greatest attention comes with Summerfest, July 19 and 20. This 27-year-old arts and crafts festival draws artisans from all over the country. The event is so big, in fact, that this year the Evergreen Parks and Recreation District and Denver Land Management have agreed to allow the Center for the Arts Evergreen to hold it at an open space park off County Road 65. The new spacious location allows for more artisans and more parking, while still providing visitors with a short enough walk to explore the Center for the Arts, which will house work from local artisans.
“Our biggest concern with the Center doesn’t have anything to do with its ability to fulfill a role providing quality arts and culture,” says Sumner. “On the contrary. The Center is such an incredible resource — both in terms of the local community and tourists. The problem right now is that we need more space.”
According to Sumner, the Center presents more than 206 events annually — most of which are free to the public. The events range from rotating art exhibitions, art classes, art roundtables, art teen summits, a brown bag lecture series, and summer art camp for all ages, to art festivals, poetry readings, writing classes, and concerts.
“We’re dreaming of a new center. The new Buchanan Park master plan calls for not only a wonderful park with running and bike paths and sculpture everywhere, but also a new structure that will house a community center and new fine arts center that will let us expand our range of classes, host larger exhibitions, and offer meeting rooms to creative groups. A black-box theatre would allow for the production of new and more experimental theatrical performances. It would be marvelous.”
In the meantime, visitors have plenty to explore at the Center and throughout Evergreen. The galleries alone can take up a day, ranging in theme from wildlife, Hispanic art, ceramics and photos, to jewelry, crafts and an artists’ cooperative gallery. The town boasts a wealth of great restaurants, and no day would be full without a walk through the Center for the Arts gallery, a performance at Center Stage’s community theatre, or a walking tour of the public sculpture collection.
“We’re like a mini Santa Fe, but just 45 minutes from Denver,” says Sumner. “Evergreen is a hidden jewel for the fine and performing arts nestled in the open spaces of the Rocky Mountains. Come for a day, or a weekend or a lifetime, but don’t forget your camera.”
Center for the Arts Evergreen is located at 32003B Ellingwood Trail. Visit www.evergreenarts.org or call 303-674-0056.
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