About Cottonwood
The Story of Cottonwood
Art is for everyone. Just like our favorite comfort foods, original art brings us comfort, pleasure and lifts our spirits.
Cottonwood Center for the Arts embraces this idea with its multi-cultural, multi-media, inclusive center of creativity and its unique offerings of instructional programs, individual artist studio spaces, and gallery spaces. It serves the community by providing access to fine art through education, offering monthly gallery shows, promoting personal relationships with artists, and making art available and affordable. Three core elements comprise the essence of CCA - Cottonwood Artists' School, its galleries and nearly 80 studio spaces.
The heart of Cottonwood Artists' School is its quality fine art instruction based upon the traditional methods of the masters. Cottonwood, with it's internationally-recognized visiting and resident artists, regularly provides world-class instruction for teens and adults at all skill levels. Cottonwood Artists' School is one of only a few artists schools in the nation to provide these workshops. A substantial number of the school's classes are accredited with the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs due to the quality and credentials of its instructors. A breathtaking array of disciplines are represented including two dimensional representational works in oil painting, watercolor, encaustic, mixed media / collage, printmaking, photography and drawing along with three dimensional works in pottery and sculpture.
Nearly 80 affordable studio spaces are available for private or group artists, pottery makers, and print makers. This wonderful arrangement brings together artists from throughout the Pikes Peak region to share studio space and their knowledge with each other and the public. Studio design and layout are customizable to suit each artist's unique and individual requirements.
CCA maintains two art galleries for short- and long-term display of art treasures and provides a focal point for local promotion of fine art. A signature element of the galleries is the Last Friday Open house, hosted on the last Friday of each month. These events are Open to the public and allow them to see and purchase a wide range of fantastic and stimulating pieces of fine art from contemporary to traditional styles. Works are displayed in the galleries, plus artists' studios are Opened for visitors to view additional art pieces. This is a wonderful opportunity for the public to meet and interact with the artists and discover firsthand the wonderful world of fine art in all its aspects. Last Fridays are fun and casual affairs. Historically, between 300 and 500 guests attend each showing.
Cottonwood plays an active role in local community educational, artistic and public endeavors. Scholarships, derived from CCA membership fees, are available for students of all ages and levels. CCA is represented on the Colorado Springs Art Commission board along with the Fine Arts Center, UCCS, and Colorado College. CCA provides regular meeting space for other non-profit groups such as the Pikes Peak Watercolor Society, Pikes Peak Writers Guild, Summit Scribes Calligraphy, and the Pikes Peak Leadership Women.
CCA is proud of the recognition it has received from state and local governments. Cottonwood received the "Governor's Award for Downtown Excellence" in September, 2005. The Arts Business Education Consortium awarded CCA its "Ongoing Support of the Arts" award in April, 2006. Most recently, Cottonwood was honored by being chose the readers' choice for best gallery in the Gazette's "Best of the Springs 2009" publication.
Cottonwood's Mission Statement
To provide:
- Quality art instruction in the methods of the Masters
- Space for artists to create, exhibit, and sell their work
- An environment for a thriving arts community
Non-Discrimination Policy
This policy states Cottonwood Artists' School's position on discrimination. This policy applies to all Cottonwood Artists' School employees, volunteers, members, clients, and contractors.
Cottonwood follows an equal opportunity employment policy and employs personnel without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status.
This policy also applies to internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, terminations, outside vendors, members and customers, service clients, use of contractors and consultants, and dealings with the general public.
Approved by the Board of Directors
October, 2005
Revised Feb. 2008
