#Breckenridge #Colorado
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| Courtesy Breckenridge Creative Arts |
Summit Daily News Link
Breckenridge Creative Arts announces the return of the Fire Arts Festival, a four-day exhibition that runs from 5–9 p.m. on Jan. 26, 27 and 28, and from 5–8 p.m. on Jan. 29. Now in its third year, the free, family-friendly event features an array of massive, fire-breathing sculptures; performances by fire dancers while a DJ spins tunes; make-and-take art projects; and nightly demonstrations of hot arts, which encompass any art form that uses heat or fire, such as silversmithing, ceramics, candle making, glasswork and encaustics.
“The past couple of Fire Arts Festivals have proven to be extremely popular with locals and guests, especially with the activities being held in conjunction with the International Snow Sculpture Championships” said Robb Woulfe, president and CEO of Breckenridge Creative Arts, in a statement. “For our 2017 edition, we are expanding the program to include even more burning sculptures, pyrotechnical performances, and other spark-filled attractions.”
Guests are encouraged to attend the spectacle of the Fire Arts Festival before or after viewing the icy marvels featured at the International Snow Sculpture Championships, located just down the street in the Tiger Dredge Parking Lot, immediately next to the Riverwalk Center.
Highlights at this year’s Fire Arts Festival include large- and small-scale pieces by nationally known fire sculptors that will be illuminated in and around the Arts District campus, including flammable metal works by Keith D’Angelo, Ryon Gesink, Justin Gray, Shane Shane, Jamie Vaida, Joshua Birkmaier and Caitlin Morris. In addition, the campus’ outdoor kiln yard will be lit with raku- and wood-firing demonstrations, and the indoor studios will be aglow with flame-related demonstrations by local artists, including glass blower Todd Brower, silversmith Martha Peterson-Glomb, encaustic painters Victoria Eubanks and Marco Montanari, and candle makers Bernadette Foley and Chris Simoni with Breckenridge Candle Cabin.
“We are so lucky to have these creative individuals living and working within our community,” said Jenn Cram, director of public programs and engagement for Breckenridge Creative Arts, which puts on the festival each year. “The Fire Arts Festival is a celebration of fire and the hot arts. The Hot Shop is the studio where several of the hot arts come to life. We will be firing it up that weekend.”
Of course the fire sculptures return, this time lighting up an expanded area in and around the Breckenridge Arts District campus. Artist Jamie Vaida returns to unveil his “Music Tree,” a fire sculpture hewn of musical instruments he designed for partner fire arts festivals in Breckenridge and Telluride. Keith D’Angelo returns with a kinetic, interactive piece reminiscent of a mandala entitled “Operation of Creation,” and Ryon Gesink returns with “Kali,” “Jabberwock,” and “Mini-Spinner.” Several new sculptors add their talents to the mix this year, including Justin Gray of Graywrx Fabrication, who will showcase two fiery robots; Shane Shane from Albuquerque, New Mexico, who will show “Obelisk” and “Biodiversity Fire Sphere,” made from a 1950s-era, 500-gallon propane tank; and Joshua Birkmaier and Caitlin Morris of Gammaspace Artist Collective in Denver, who are bringing their large-scale work “Arcus Hymenoptera” to Breckenridge.
Recognized as one of the top mountain resort destinations in the world, Breckenridge is a beautiful and historic Colorado town that attracts over a million visitors yearly. Nestled in the heart of the Central Rocky Mountains, the town offers year-round activities to please outdoor enthusiasts, vacationing families and cultural travelers.
