On Monday, The Hive school bus dropped off children at the Durango Arts Center – others arrived by car or on foot. Our student intern conversed in Spanish with several families. Twelve children jumped into theater and art classes, and dozens more will arrive weekly through August for fun, learning and creative discovery.
This is the unmistakable sign of summer at the DAC. It’s a joy to witness – and 80% of our summer participants attend on full scholarships, made possible by TeamUp, Ashes Away Top Hat Fireplace and Chimney Professionals, Bronson Family McDonald’s, Debbie and Don Kurz, and the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado. We invite your business to invest. Email [email protected] to receive a sponsorship packet.
The 37 stunning art quilts now on display in the Barbara Conrad Gallery, provide a breathtaking backdrop to all the summer activity. Their incredible colors and inventive structures stop you in your tracks. Twenty-six are available for purchase. Arts educator and Durango Herald journalist Judith Reynolds will present “The Quilt as Voice,” from 6 to 8 p.m. June 11 at the DAC, sponsored by Stitch. From 5 to 7 p.m. June 26, eight of the artists will attend a reception before the exhibit ends June 27. Gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, An education table features quilt samples and descriptions of the techniques used, with a sign that simply reads: Please Touch.
It’s the midway point of the $60,000 in 60 Days campaign. Thank you to everyone supporting the DAC, with gifts from $120 to $2,000. As a $120 Creative Member, benefits include a 10% discount on tickets to DART and DYT shows, purchases in the Artisan’s Market and Holiday Gift Gallery, class registrations, two free registrations for any Warhol & Wine class and a membership card granting reciprocal privileges through the North American Reciprocal Museum network. Benefits expand at each membership level. Dozens of members enjoyed complimentary tickets to last weekend’s 16th annual 10-Minute Play Festival.
Speaking of 10-Minute Plays: congratulations to the eight playwrights selected from more than 200 entries. It was a pleasure watching local actors and directors take audiences on a journey from light comedy to the compelling issues of the day. Two playwrights traveled from Chicago and Albany, New York, to attend. Thank you to everyone, and our Artistic Managing Director Monica DiBiasio, who contributed to the success of the 16th Annual 10-Minute Play Festival.
The 2026 juried members exhibit, sponsored by Clearnetworx, was conceived by Ben Dukeminier, director of the Barbara Conrad Gallery, Visual Arts and Education. “Colorado: Beyond 150” is a creative imagining of the next 150 years of Colorado history, seen through the eyes and instincts of local artists. This juried exhibit is open to all DAC members. Featuring a wide variety of media, the collection invites artists and audiences to envision Colorado’s future through bold, critical, poetic, playful and visionary work. Anything is possible.
Submission deadline is June 22 and jury notification is June 26. The exhibit will run July 3 to Aug. 10. Visit www.durangoarts.org for registration and details.
I hope your June is as creative and full of variety as it is at the DAC.
Beth Lamberson Warren is executive director of Durango Arts Center.