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Exploring the Breckenridge Art Scene
Ask anyone to envision a ski town, and Breckenridge is true to type. Main Street, adorned with colorful historic buildings circa the late 19th century and blanketed with marshmallow snow in the winter, checks all of the boxes: located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, it’s nestled at the base of a ski resort boasting five peaks and almost 3,000 acres of trails; there is no shortage of establishments featuring locally brewed beers and distilled spirits, including Breckenridge Brewery, Breckenridge Distillery and Broken Compass Brewing; and of course the ubiquitous gear shops ready to outfit the entire family for snow adventures.
Breck’s Evolving Art Scene
Sure, Breckenridge is a ski town, but it’s an arts town too! Recently, The New York Times praised Breckenridge’s “evolving” art scene, a distinction which we believe sets the town apart. Breckenridge is by no means a major metropolitan area: according to the 2021 U.S. Census, the year-round, Summit-County population rests at approximately 31,000, and that includes almost 5,000 in the town of Breck. Nevertheless, Breck Create annually draws world-class and renowned multidisciplinary talent to perform, exhibit and teach. We offer locals and visitors the opportunity to engage with artists and exhibitions on the forefront of contemporary art. Our programming speaks to the issues confronting us locally, such as climate change, the workforce housing crisis and the visibility of marginalized communities. We also prioritize initiatives that support our local artist population.
Explore the Breckenridge Arts District
The Breckenridge Arts District, officially certified as a “creative district” by the state of Colorado in 2014, serves as the hub of the art scene. Venture just beyond Main Street and you may be delighted to discover a lively arts campus of renovated historic structures that now function as studio spaces for classes, workshops, affordable rentals by local artists and visiting artist-in-residence programs. The district includes studios, galleries, performance spaces, historic landmarks, public art, restaurants, cafes and other creative businesses that animate and populate a vibrant cultural corridor in downtown Breckenridge.
Take a Class or Workshop
Breck Create feels strongly that creative classes benefit everyone, even if you do not consider yourself an artist. Kneading clay can have a grounding effect, while painting and drawing can be meditative. No experience? No problem. Breck Create classes cater to artists of all ages and levels of expertise. Winter 2024 classes are open for registration at breckcreate.org. Check out our offerings and register now. Summer classes and workshops will be announced in early April.
View Art + Get Info at Old Masonic Hall
Old Masonic Hall, located at 136 S. Main Street, includes an interior gallery space hosting contemporary art installations that rotate seasonally as well as events and interventions employing visual art, performance, film, digital media and social practice. The current exhibition, In Plain Sight: Queer Rural Narratives from the Water and the Land explores the complex relationship between Queer identity and rural environments through a provocative collection of artworks from five artists, shedding light on the resilience and vitality of Queer existence. The exhibition runs through April 28th.
Old Masonic Hall also functions as ground zero for Breck Create customer service and visitor information: guests can register for classes, purchase event tickets and learn about all of Breckenridge’s arts offerings in the storefront of Old Masonic Hall, home of Breck Create’s ticket office.
Hours
Monday Closed
Tuesday 10am – 8pm
Wed – Sun 10am – 5pm
Meet Artists-In-Residence
Breck Create actively nurtures a healthy arts community and recognizes the importance of local artists while also bringing exposure to regional, national and international artists. Our Open Door Program provides affordable space for these artists to work and thrive. Visit the artists and their studios during open-door hours and workshops, where you can learn about their practice, view their work and purchase art. Learn more about our current artists-in-residence below.
Tracy Bligh is a Breckenridge-based oil painter and clay sculptor, drawing inspiration from the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Tracy also teaches painting and sculpture classes at Breck Create. Tracy’s Open Doors are on 3-4pm Tuesdays and 2-5pm Fridays + Saturdays at Randall Barn.
Kia Neill is a multidisciplinary artist living in Summit County. Originally from Chicago, Ill., she allows the environment to inspire her work within the following mediums: drawing, sculpture, photography and installation. Kia’s Open Doors are 1-5pm Thursdays,1-4pm Fridays and 2-5pm on Saturdays at the Ceramic Studio on the lower level.
Leela Srinivasan, an Indian-American poet, researcher and educator and our current artist-in-residence, resides in Breckenridge through April. During her residency, Leela plans to create a short-form collection of place poetry inspired by the arresting mountain scenery of Colorado. She hopes to further develop as a teacher and collaborator through working at Summit High School and the larger community, gaining a deeper appreciation for all kinds of art and its effects on the larger world. Leela’s Open Doors are 2-5pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Transform Plastic Waste Into Art
Spend any amount of time in Breckenridge and you will understand our commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness. As the stewards of this magical place, we are proud to partner with Precious Plastic—a worldwide initiative that exists to reduce plastic waste through a combination of people, machines, platforms and knowledge. At Breck Create, our participation in the Precious Plastic initiative takes the form of a “Re-Maker’s Workspace,” where community members and visitors to Breckenridge can transform plastic waste into art.
Tour Breckenridge’s Public Art
Imagine the Breckenridge public art collection as a silent storyteller, inviting passersby to uncover the rich local history of the area. Each piece in the permanent collection is strategically placed to highlight the majesty of the Tenmile Mountain Range. Temporary and fleeting installations pop up occasionally, adding to the overall creative vibrancy. It’s like a gallery without walls, inviting you to explore and discover the heart and soul of this mountain town through its art.
Take a self-guided tour through the curated collection. Maps are available at Old Masonic Hall and also at the Welcome Center in downtown Breckenridge. Abbreviated maps (without images) are also available by clicking hereEditSignEditSign. Use your mobile device to listen to the Breckenridge Public Art and Arts District Audio Tour. To view the public art collection or campus, choose between three pre-organized routes:
• Public Art: Downtown
• Public Art: North + East
• Historic Arts District Campus
Catch a Performance
On the other side of Main Street and just opposite of the arts campus is the Riverwalk Center, a heated, indoor performance venue that features a diverse range of ticketed live events including concerts, lectures and performances showcasing local, national and international talent. Breck Create’s seasonal lineups regularly include music, theater, dance and spoken word. Events are all ages unless otherwise noted, which means there are plenty of family-friendly events to choose from.
As a community-centered gathering place, the venue is also home to a number of Resident Companies and hosts a variety of non-profit partner events. For general information, please visit our Policies + FAQ page.
Plan a Return Visit for One of Our Festivals
BIFA
Breckenridge International Festival of Arts, affectionately known as BIFA and the crown jewel of Breck-Create productions, takes place each summer. Breck Create pours 12 months of thoughtful planning into the festival, attracting multidisciplinary talent from across the globe. BIFA 2024 will be held August 16 - 25.
Día de Muertos
Breck Create commemorates Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), a lively celebration in Mexican culture that honors loved ones who have passed, with a two-day celebration featuring free hands-on workshops, art installations, performances and a cultural marketplace on the arts district campus. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the festival.
Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed of all festival announcements.
The Breckenridge Art Scene Is a Must Do
At Breck Create, we believe art should be accessible to everyone, and we strive to provide a broad spectrum of programming for all ages and all skill levels at affordable prices. As a champion of the arts, it’s our duty to build a dynamic, year-round creative community in Breckenridge and our mission to deliver inspiring creative experiences that enrich the quality of life for all residents and quality of place for visitors.
In short, there’s plenty of things to do besides skiing, such as creative classes and workshops, art exhibitions, public art tours and more. Thanks to the generosity of our donor community, we offer as much programming as we can for free. Therefore, the next time you’re in Breckenridge, Breck Create hopes to create something with you!