Artful escape

Paperclips heads to Michigan

Where, oh, where, have those giant red Paperclips gone?

The 2009 Art on the Streets winning sculpture by local artist Chris Weed graced the south entrance to Plaza of the Rockies for more than a year. But Weed gained entrance to ArtPrize-a massive, 1700-plus-piece art competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan- and earned an exhibit spot in the famed Calder (yes, as in Alexander) Plaza.

Paperclips was taken down from Tejon Street on September 8 and shipped north for the September 22 to October 19, 2010 show. Weed is hopeful to win some of the $449,000 prize pool. First place, at $250,000, wouldn't be so bad, he said. At ArtPrize, winners are selected entirely by public vote.

"It's great exposure and, let's face it, this is my business," he said.

Downtown Wine Stroll

Reds, whites and you

Like your reds ... and whites? Then you'll enjoy TESSA's 2010 Downtown Wine Stroll starting at 6 p.m. on September 23^rd. Sponsored by Vintages Wine and Spirits, this moving (and we mean that literally) wine and food tasting event helps put an end to domestic violence.

Enjoy great specials at NOSH, McKenzie's Chophouse, Sonterra Grill, The Ritz, Vintages, The Melting Pot, and The Famous. Tickets are $30 per person. For more information, contact Staci at TESSA, 719-785-6808 or Erin at Vintages, 719-520-5733. 

Can you guess?

Downtown Puzzler

Perhaps it's curiosity that keeps this cat cool on its landmark perch. Where will you find him?

Go global

Go for the arts

Peak at the Arts: Global Artists Exchange Festival is a new arts event coming to the Pikes Peak Center on October 8 and 9. According to organizers, the festival came about as many of the world class artists living here sought to share their vision by engaging an international dialogue. During this event, Colorado Springs artists will produce seven new collaborative works in dance, live music and visual art.

Special guests in collaborative efforts include:

· The 4 Pelos/Losdenmedium Dance Company, San Jose, Costa Rica

· Roberto Lizano, Visual Artist, Costa Rica

· The Kaminari Japanese Taiko Drum Ensemble, Japan and Crestone, CO

· The 3^rd Law Dance Company, Boulder, CO

Performing side by side with these companies in unique works will be The Ormao Dance Company; Colorado Springs Chorale; Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble; Quattro Mani/Colorado College; Pikes Peak Arts Council; Japan-America Society of Southern Colorado; Pikes Peak Community College; and University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

Getting physical

Grant benefits young children

Community Partnership for Child Development (CPCD) and Early Connections Learning Centers are among 372 recipients receiving a $5,000 grant from Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play. The grant will be used to improve the outdoor play area at The Historic Day Nursery at 104 E. Rio Grande. Early Connections will also receive a package of developmentally-appropriate equipment and services, including targeted training, technical assistance and access to a physical activity consultant, online courses, webinars and resource materials.

 

Diane Price, President and CEO of Early Connections said, "This generous grant will enhance our children's play time and further promote the value of physical play outdoors to families. This is one of several successful collaborations with CPCD that helps us bring high quality services to children in El Paso County."

For more information about Early Connections, visit www.earlyconnections.org.

Puzzled no more

We've got answers

Surprisingly, this feline is at Colorado College, a decorative element on the historic Van Briggle Pottery building that is now home to the college's facilities maintenance operations. You'll find it west of Cascade Avenue and southeast of the intersection of Uintah and Glen. The structure was a calling card for the famed pottery business, and operated under the Van Briggle moniker until 1968. The building is part of an historic walking tour promoted by CC, and is thus described:

The pottery building originally housed the salesroom, administrative offices, studios, kilns, workshops, and other functional rooms of the manufacturer and was designed to display the wares produced inside. Designed by Dutch architect Nicolaas van den Arend in a picturesque manner displaying Flemish farmhouse and Arts and Crafts influences, the building provides an overall impression of solidity, bright colors, and varied shapes and textures.

For even more detail about both the building and the tour, visit http://www.coloradocollege.edu/welcome/walkingtour/vanbriggle.php.