Countdown to the 18th Annual Ah Haa Art Auction!

It's that time of year again!  The Ah Haa staff, board, volunteers, and community are buzzing about the Annual Ah Haa Art Auction!  Each summer the Ah Haa School for the Arts picks a radically different theme for their annual art auction, from Laugh-In to Road Trip, to this year’s theme of ARTopia. You are probably wondering "Why is this called ARTopia? What is that?" Well, the definition for the word utopia means "an imaginary place considered perfect or ideal". Here at the Ah Haa School for the Arts, imaginations of students come ALIVE! So ARTopia is a perfect place to let your imagination run, and your creativity fly! It's where we can honor our creativity, meaning it's a place we create, reward, and respect our creative selves.

This annual fundraiser consists of energy-charged live and silent auctions, with over 200 items of original art, services and trips donated by the region’s artists, businesses and supporters of the Ah Haa. Many of the pieces that will be on the auction block have been specifically made for this event by our community’s talented artists. Celebrity artist, Bill Kreutzmann, former Grateful Dead drummer, has placed his unique artwork on a pair of Wagner Skis which will be custom made for the winning bidder.  The live auction will also feature the artwork of Ally Crilly, Susie Billings, Julee Hucthinson, Nicole Finger, Flair Robinson, and of course an art car which is a 1969 VW bug coolly decorated with an earthy charm. 

ARTopia is Ah Haa’s largest and most important fundraising event of the year. It supports the school’s operations, specifically, the spectrum of programs and workshops offered by the school. Your attendance and generous support allow the Ah Haa to continue improving and diversifying course offerings, enhancing program excellence, and serving new audiences.   

Ah Haa encourages everyone to attend this one of a kind event! Doors open at 5:00 p.m. for silent auction bidding, and the live auction begins promptly at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person and are purchased at the door on the night of the event.

For a preview of all art on the auction block and absentee bidding forms (if you’re not going to be in town), visit Ah Haa’s website at ahhaa.org or this year, art lovers can place a bid online starting July 1-July 22.  To place a bid, go to www.biddingforgood.com/ahhaa.  For more information about the Ah Haa and the 18th annual art auction call 970-728-3886.

We hope to see you there!

Teaching & Learning at the Ah Haa

In the years before I came to the Ah Haa school, I was actually a full-fledged classroom teacher. This June, I decided to kick-off the year with a couple of theatre classes for kids called "Superhero Theatre". The classes, a mix of games, theatre and costume-construction, became very popular and I suddenly found myself thrown into back into the roll as a teacher - but this time I was an art teacher. It was quite wonderful and as the kids and I sang superhero songs and decorated our capes, I came to realize another magical aspect of my job here at the Ah Haa. I help to emply teachers who make magic happen. From Brooke Ahana's fabulous color-theory based abstract painting classes, to the amazing clay creatures that Jacey Depriest helps four-and-five-year-olds to mold into life, I am constantly amazed at the ability of our instructors to convert the magic and imagination you find in every child into various forms of art. Thank you to our amazing instructors and to all you parents who believe that the Ah Haa is a place for fun and transformation. The summer of 2010 is certainly something to remember.

Get ready for the 4th of July Parade at the Ah Haa!

This week at the Ah Haa so many great classes are geared to getting your young ones in the spirit of the 4th!  Fun can be had for all ages at our Fabulous Fridays!  This Friday have your children jump into painting red, white & stripes on bisqueware, handpainting patriotic flags to wave high at the parade,  creating topsy turvy 4th of July top hats to march down Main Street, and much more! 

The Ah Haa staff will be participating in the fun on Sunday, July 4th!  Come cheer us on as we stroll down Main St. in the ARTopia VW Beetle and the custom welded Cow Cruiser!  Both of these items will be auctioned off at this year's Ah Haa Art Auction!  So many great items will be showcased at this year's auction and you may bid early at www.biddingforgood.com/ahhaa!  Check out the fabulous items now!

What I Love About the Ah Haa....

The Depots back patio that sits on the Telluride River Trail is one of my favorite summer hangouts (even outside of work). Steps adorned with painted birdhouses, flowers everywhere and bistro chairs and tables is the ultimate setting for just being quite and listen to the river and catching rays. I read, I space out, I meet friends. Come check out this secret location and see if you don't stay a little longer than you thought. The only thing missing is nice ice coffee.

Batik Prayer Flags just finished up this week. Check out some of the amazing creations. We ARE blessed :)

Beautiful Weather for Bluegrass

Telluride is filling with people for this year's Bluegrass Festival.  On your way down the river trail to Town Park, stop by the Ah Haa and check out the psychedelic art of Bill Kreutzmann, former drummer and founding member of the Grateful Dead.  His colorful and vibrant work is hanging in our East Room Gallery.  Bill just happens to be the Celebrity Artist for the 18th Annual Ah Haa Art Auction and this year's live auction line up includes a pair of custom Wagner skis featuring his original artwork.  Mark your calendar for Friday, July 23rd and be sure to register early to bid on these one of a kind skis...tickets to this year's auction go on sale today!

Summer has Returned at the Ah Haa!

You know it's summer at the Ah Haa when you find people entering through the back door from the river trail finding out about classes or what the new exhibition is in the gallery.  Or the many little children flying around on the patio in their favorite superhero costume they just made.  Ah Haa is alive!

This weekend, the Ridgway Museum Galloping Goose Train will be running on Saturday, June 12 from 11 am to 4 pm for the celebration of Heritage Fest.  Children, along with adults will step foot onto the historic Galloping Goose Train just like in the old days when people boarded the trains at the Depot station.  This is a fun filled event including face painting, singing, and more!  What better way to enjoy the weekend than stepping back in time and reliving the days of historic Telluride.

What I Love About the Ah Haa....

I love the Ah Haa School for the Arts for the diversity of people and creativity that walk thru the doors. From kids to adults, it is always a joy to watch all the fantastic things that come to life here. It's like a peak into everyone's imagination. And with kids summer camps starting next Monday, I am sure to be blown away on a daily basis! Check back for my Fantastic Creation posts!