The Peak to Peak Highway is one of Colorado’s most popular scenic byways. The countless stands of aspens, pine, spruce, fir, and juniper go through a natural process of shedding needles and leaves to stay healthy.
Health, weather, drought or increased moisture, and elevation are a few factors that determine the color changes of trees. What also changes are the colors living in the heart of an artist, inspiring some of the most dramatic work seen by the human eye.
From September 22 to 24, The Mountain-Ear’s Peak to Peak Studio Tour welcomed autumn with a bang as forests embraced a new chapter and artists welcomed guests from near and far into their colorful world.
The Old Gallery in Allenspark, home to more than 20 artists, provided two floors of oil and acrylic paints, fused glass, photography, pastels, pottery, jewelry, woodwork, watercolor, fiber art, ceramics, clay, and stained glass work.
Roughly 15 miles from The Old Gallery, the Glass Tipi in Ward turned the chill of the wind into a warm welcome as Studio Tour enthusiasts enjoyed gazing at sculptures, paintings, jewelry, furniture, ceramics, and fiber arts and enjoyed conversations with artist and owner Greta Balzer.
Another 12 miles into the town of Nederland, the community center hosted some of Nederland’s talented artists. Art adorned the walls of the second floor, creating a vibrant timeline depicting life in the Rocky Mountains.
Lolo Delaunay was busy at work on 1st Street, offering her supporters an opportunity to emerge themselves in the world of the wild. Life-size paintings hung on the walls, making it easy for guests to feel hypnotized by the beauty of art.
Only a three-minute walk down 1st Street, tour adventurers reached the Bishop Art Studio, where artist Brent Bishop greeted his guests with enthusiasm and appreciation. Paintings came to life at the Bishop Art Studio, enticing guests to ask questions and marvel at the secrets jumping out of canvases.
Nederland visitors walked through the late Kevin Malanaphy’s mountain world on the town’s covered bridge, providing not only artistic inspiration but also offering a sample of nature’s soundtrack by Middle Boulder Creek.
Spinning Silica at the Caribou Village Shopping Center displayed delightful locally made and sustainably crafted products, encouraging guests to find a deeper connection to the environment and shop with a purpose.
Next door, stories came to life via stained glass at O’Neil Rocky Mountain Art. O’Neil’s many designs stimulated all five senses as artwork evoked an array of emotions from observers.
Boasting the work of 40 artists, the Kaleidoscope Fine Art Gallery showcased another unique collection of pottery, stained glass, hand-blown glass, fused glass, quilts, crochet, weaving, woodwork, jewelry, leather work, photography, alcohol ink, acrylic, and oil paintings.
Much like artists detach themselves from a cherished piece of work to bring someone else joy, the trees beautifully shed old leaves to create new ones, both teaching us the beauty of letting things go.
