After a decade of investing in the arts, Silverthorne is the newest Colorado Creative District.
And take it from traveling artist Jesse Jentzen – Silverthorne’s art scene is unlike any other in the nation.
“It was really cool to see the amount of people that traffic that area,” the California-based artist told Krystal 93. “There were people on bikes, kids from school on a trip, people going to and from work. It’s quite a busy area. A lot of people told me having something fun to look at on their bike ride or walk really changes their day.”
Jentzen’s new mural – a colorful and cheeky addition to the recycling center below Dillon Dam – joins dozens of public art installations in Silverthorne, from the welcome sign north of town to a striking concrete bison on the I-70 overpass.
But Silverthorne’s Colorado Creative District is more than murals. The arts are all around you at Theatre SilCo, monthly First Friday celebrations, and the Art Spot makerspace inside an old firehouse on Fourth Street.
“Seeing how our community has embraced public art, including pieces throughout the town … and other art-focused initiatives throughout the year, is so impressive,” Silverthorne Mayor Ann-Marie Sandquist said in a statement. “Town council has invested heavily in these programs because our dedicated volunteers, residents and businesses have not only supported the arts but continue to ask for more.”
This designation is more than lip service. It comes with new funding, resources, marketing support, signage and leadership training through Colorado Creative Industries, a division of the State of Colorado’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
Silverthorne joins an exclusive group of Colorado Creative Districts, including Breckenridge, Salida, Crested Butte and Steamboat Springs.
Preview image via @claystorm on IG.