August kicks off with the First Friday Art Groove, the ninth annual Estes Park Artist Studio Tours, and the Estes Park Jazz Festival at Performance Park.  

The monthly art crawl is organized by the Estes Arts District, a local nonprofit that seeks to “unite all artists and art organizations” in Estes Park, Allenspark, Glen Haven, Pinewood Springs, and Rocky Mountain National Park.

The Jazz Festival is a production of the Estes Park Village Band and Jazz Big Band. The festival is free to attend. Donations fund an annual $5,000 scholarship awarded to a graduating student from the Estes Park High School instrumental music program.

Friday, Aug. 1

The First Friday Art Groove starts at 5 p.m. Participating locations on the official map include:

  • Stop #1: Bear & Bee Maker’s Studio and Boutique at 541 Big Thompson Ave. A map of this month’s stops can be picked up at this location or downloaded from the EAD website.
  • Stop #2: Visit the current exhibition, Lens and Brush: Art in Harmony, at the Art Center of Estes Park, 517 Big Thompson Ave., which is open until 7 p.m. for the Art Groove. 
  • Stop #3: The Studio Fine Art and Framing, 343 S St Vrain Ave, Suite 4, will feature music by Jon Pickett and live abstract expressionism demonstrations by Hanna Shook. The proprietor’s smoked salmon will be served as an added treat.
  • Stop #4: Driftwood Tattoo Studio, 343 S St Vrain Ave, Suite 1. Tattoo artists put down their needles and create art with those attending the tour. Most supplies are provided, including the use of wood-burning tools.
  • Stop #7: Aspen & Evergreen Gallery, 356 E. Elkhorn Ave., will host Jason Lenz, live-looping musician, as he celebrates the Grateful Dead on Jerry Garcia’s birthday from 5 to 7 p.m. This gallery represents various fine art artists, some of whom will be on hand for demonstrations.
  • Stop #8: Images of RMNP at 203 Park Lane is the home gallery for Erik Stensland’s photography. Stensland will offer a 15% discount during the Art Grove, and the gallery will be open until 7 p.m.
  • Stop #10: Earthwood Collections will be open until 8 p.m. Denver artist Mitch Caster and Loveland artist Lyse Dzjia will be on hand, and Max Wagner and Stu McKasky will play instrumental jazz.
  • Stop #11: Inspired Artisan Market & Studio, 138 Moraine Ave, will be open until 6 p.m. for tie-dye at this stop.
  • Stop H: Hogback Distillery, 138 Moraine Ave, will participate with Scotch-style whiskey and the photography of Grahame Wallace.

If you work up a thirst while hitting galleries, several local drinking establishments are serving up music and gallery space during the Art Groove to help you whet your whistle, including the Lumpy Ridge Brewery Publick House, 203 Cleave St.; Snowy Peaks Winery, 292 Moraine Ave.; Avant Garde Aleworks, 920 Dunraven St.; Rock Cut Brewery, 390 W Riverside Dr.; and Elkins Tasting Room, 137 E Elkhorn Ave.

Artist Studio Tour Estes Park

Nine artists’ studios featuring the work of 13 artists will be open for the ninth Estes Artist Studio Tour on Aug. 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Follow the interactive map for a self-guided tour. The artists will demonstrate methods and materials, and works of art will be available for sale.

Participating artists include:

  • Cynthia Price Reedy, 1219 Chasm Ln.
  • Victoria Endsley and Dennis Sohocki, 541 Big Thompson Ave, Suite 201.
  • Jim Biggers and Cathy Goodale, 1550 Spur Ln.
  • Dave Landers, 610 Pinewood Ln.
  • John Lynch, 180 Chalet Ridge Ct.
  • John Long, Neil Herman, and Laura Lampe, 370 Whispering Pines Dr.
  • Linghui Wang, 917 Whispering Pines Dr.
  • Laura Hutton, 1570 Dandie Way.
  • Holly Daley, 1450 Dandie Way.

Sat., Aug. 2 – Music at Performance Park

  • 2:30 p.m.  Estes Park Jazz Band, Performance Park, kicking off day one of the Estes Park Jazz Festival, 435 West Elkhorn Ave. This is an outdoor venue. Sun protection, hydration, and layers of clothing are recommended.
  • 4 p.m., Kream of the Krop, Estes Park Jazz Festival, Performance Park.
  • 5:30 p.m., Groove in Motion, Rocky Mountain Horns, Estes Park Jazz Festival, Performance Park.

Sun., Aug. 3 – Music at Performance Park

  • 2:30 p.m.  John Mills Orchestra, Estes Park Jazz Festival, Performance Park.
  • 4 p.m. Colorado Swing Band, Estes Park Jazz Festival, Performance Park.
  • 5:30 p.m., Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Estes Park Jazz Festival, Performance Park.