ARTISTS

""Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much." – Helen Keller 

Being a creative can often be a solitary existence, working alone in one’s studio.

I have found it incredibly important to find a creative community. It is in this community where I experience support, encouragement, and understanding.

Galleries are essential not just as wall space to show one’s work, but for the community that it creates. It is this caring community that fuels innovation, provides belonging, and offers new perspectives that solitary work cannot. It is community that provides the necessary elements for the creative process to thrive. Where one can receive constructive feedback, collective inspiration and the safety to take risks which is essential to the creative process.  

Being part of a creative community provides a sense of belonging and being part of something greater. It is where I can share my story."

"Art is important in our community because it embodies creativity, hope, resilience, joy, introspection, and so much more. Artists sharing and showing their art is important, but what is equally important is people seeking out and experiencing art. 

Developing the habit of contemplating art makes us more thoughtful individuals, and when practiced acollectively, it cultivates a compassionate community open to listening and understanding. This is why supporting local artists and spaces like Yobel and the Look Up Gallery matters so deeply.

There is great art currently being made in Colorado Springs, but bringing it to the people can be a struggle. An even greater struggle is making an art practice “make sense” financially because it requires money upfront for materials and a space to create.

As the culture around art develops in Colorado Springs, it is crucial to have spaces where art can be created and experienced.  Yobel and the Look Up Gallery is a venue where people can come to experience art, and is also a space for artists to create alongside each other.  A studio should not only provide a space to work but also connect artists with the community.

Before finding an artistic home in Yobel, I was creating my art in my small home office.  I always felt isolated painting alone.  The only times I felt like I was a part of the community were the couple of months a year when I had work hanging in the city. Since moving into Yobel and The Look Up Gallery, my artistic practice has been reinvigorated because of its lively and inspiring atmosphere that brings together the best of art and its enjoyers.  

Having a hub for art and artists in a great location is a privilege, and with that comes a price.  Providing subsidies for the artists will allow for a greater diversity of art and artists that might not have normally been able to pay to have a studio in the heart of downtown.  Helping artists like myself will allow more of them to flourish in the Springs and deepen the creative culture.  Yobel makes artists matter!aesthetically pleasing and easy to use."

"Artists play a pivotal role in the Colorado Springs community.  They infuse our city with vibrant, culturally enriching, and unique events that captivate both residents and visitors. These artists are not just creators; they are the very essence of our cultural identity, that make this city a wonderful place to live.  The artist’s presence can be seen daily; through murals, public sculptures, exhibitions, and every month during a First Friday ArtWalk.  However, despite the immense value they bring, artists face overwhelming financial challenges that threaten their ability to thrive and continue their vital work.

Without substantial financial support, we risk losing these invaluable contributors. Subsidies are not just beneficial; they are essential to ensure that artists stay in our community. By providing financial assistance, artists can focus on their creative endeavors, artists can provide extraordinary art-centric opportunities, and artists can help maintain the cultural strength and vibrancy of our community."