Overview:
This new celebration honors the many artistic activities that take place in Estes Park during August, such as Plein Air, Jazz Fest, and more.
After proclaiming August 2026 as Estes Arts Month on Tuesday, Mayor Gary Hall joked that the Estes Park Board of Trustees had to turn from the celebration to “real business.”
Then he reconsidered.
“Actually, that is real business,” Hall said. “In fact, I think this spirit of stuff is really the real business and purpose of the town — the soul and the heart of the town.”
The proclamation, approved during the July 28 board meeting, establishes a monthlong celebration of the artists, organizations, businesses, and events that contribute to the community’s creative life. Organizers hope it will become an annual tradition showcasing the arts near the end of each summer.
The inaugural Estes Arts Month arrives during the Estes Arts District’s first year as an official Colorado Creative District. The state designation, awarded in October 2025, followed several years of work by local artists and community leaders.
“For years, there were people working in an unofficial way to show the impact of art in the community, and now we are recognized by the state and are trying to lift the message up in all the ways we can,” Estes Arts District Program Manager Talia Siens said. “In August, we have a lot of great art events, and this is a great way to show excitement and celebrate with everyone in the community.”
The proclamation does not create a single new festival. Instead, it gathers a range of existing and developing programs under one banner while encouraging residents, businesses, and organizations to plan additional arts-related activities.
“As the Estes Arts District was discussing ways to promote the arts, there was a realization that a number of arts events were taking place in August,” said Estes Arts District Co-Chair President, Lawerence Sage. “It was an opportunity to create the concept of an Arts Month, and (we) decided to request the mayor to make a proclamation to that effect, which he did at the Trustees meeting last night. Our Arts and Culture Program Director Talia Siens developed the proclamation, and I approved that which she wrote, and I am appreciative that the mayor was willing to make this proclamation.”
Several of Estes Park’s largest annual arts events already take place in August. Estes Park Jazz Fest opens the month, Aug. 1 and 2, with two days of free music at the Performance Park Amphitheater. The artist studio tour follows Aug. 15 and 16, inviting visitors into local artists’ working spaces to see how their pieces are created.
“It really gives people a chance to learn about different kinds of artwork, from making bowls out of resin to handmade jewelry,” Siens said. “There are all kinds of stuff that is happening all over Estes Park that people see in person.”
Other activities include the Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies theater production of “1984” Aug. 14-16, the Estes Valley Plein Air Aug. 20-25, and the installation of new public murals through a communitywide program developed by the arts district.
In his proclamation, Hall recognized the individuals, businesses, and nonprofits involved in creative work throughout Estes Park. He also invited residents and visitors to participate by making art, attending events, and supporting local arts organizations throughout the year.
“Our arts community has really been scoring well,” Hall said. “I’d say the bar keeps being raised with our certification of an Estes Park Arts District and all of the good stuff that’s going on around that.”
The initiative was initially discussed as Arts and Culture Month, but organizers shortened the name to Estes Arts Month. Siens said the decision reflects an effort to give the community’s cultural groups their own time, resources, and recognition rather than folding every cultural celebration into an arts-focused proclamation.
“Culture is always going to be a part of art, and that goes without saying,” Siens said. “We can expand our cultural awareness and do more culturally significant events throughout the year and do separate proclamations for the cultural groups in Estes Park that feel more rich and full.”
As one example, the Estes Arts District has met with the Latino Alliance about developing a local celebration during National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Siens said she hopes members of Estes Park’s Latino community will participate in Arts Month and that local arts organizations will support the proposed heritage celebration in return.
“I really want to make sure we are representing all of the community,” she said. “I want everyone to feel welcome and participate.”
For the Estes Arts District, the proclamation also provides visible support from town government as the organization begins expanding its work.
“The town of Estes Park is such a small, tight-knit community,” Siens said. “The town board meetings are really a good way for everyone to connect and hear about what’s going on in the community. The proclamation is something that allows us to encourage participation through our town government and show that the government is supportive of the efforts made in the community through our arts projects.”
Although Estes Park artists work throughout the year, Siens said August offers an opportunity to concentrate attention on their contributions while transitioning from the busy summer season into fall.
“I really do intend for this to be something we can celebrate annually,” she said. “Arts are a part of Estes Park all year long, but this is a good chance for us at the end of the summer months to show how important the arts are during this time.”
Following the reading of the proclamation, Hall invited the artists present to gather for a photograph.
“Thank you so much for all you do for the arts,” he said. “Keep it going, and I know you will.”