Each year, Carbondale Arts celebrates local artists, and artistic creation of all forms, through the Valley Visual Art Show.
The long-running community show returns this week as the gallery’s first exhibition of 2025 with imaginative works by over 60 local artists living in zip codes starting with 816, which covers Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, New Castle, Silt, Rifle, Parachute and many other Colorado mountain communities.
The show opens with a reception and art activity sponsored by Basalt Printing and Art Supply from 5-7 p.m. this Friday, Jan. 17. After the reception, the Valley Visual Art Show will be on display 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Launchpad, 76 South Fourth St., Carbondale.
“At Carbondale Arts we are dedicated to amplifying diverse artistic voices from throughout the community,” Sally Nicholson, featured artist and Carbondale Arts Gallery Committee member, said in a news release from Carbondale Arts.
The Valley Visual Art Show began in 1980 as an opportunity for local artists, experienced and new alike, to share their work and connect with the community. Now labeled “a salute to the diverse artistic talents in our area” by Carbondale Arts, this year marks the 46th annual show and will feature two and three dimensional works in a diverse range of mediums.
Any artist living in an “816” zip code could submit an entry to be juried by the Carbondale Arts Gallery Committee and staff.
“The selection process for the show includes the committee deciding between two submissions proposed by each artist — then the committee is charged with creating a cohesive show with a balance of all mediums, subject matter and concepts,” Nicholson said.
Exhibit visitors can vote once for their favorite piece from Jan. 17 to Feb. 14 for the Valley Visual Art Show’s People’s Choice Award. The first place winner receives $200, second place $100 and third place $50.
Mixed media artist Kathy Honea is one of the many local talents featured in this year’s show. “Generally speaking, curiosity is the most important thing about artmaking. You have to figure out how to transform your idea into something that hangs on the wall,” Honea said. “Being selected to participate in the Valley Visual Art Show sparks my imagination to make something new and different.”