Call Description

Ah Haa School for the Arts brings you ArtAbout, a weekend of creative exploration for the curious who want to celebrate imagination and the beauty of our natural surroundings. ArtAbout is a self-guided tour of artist studios, homes, mines, warehouses, camps, shacks, garages, co-ops, and outdoor places where art is made. It is an opportunity for the public to connect directly with creators and collect their work, shining a light on the talent and creativity of our community. Experience the places where art is made. Make connections with artists. Bring art into your life!

ArtAbout’s goal is to create connections with our creative community. During the weekend of October 3rd and 4th, 2026, participating ArtAbout artists will open the doors of their studios to the public, allowing visitors to understand their process, shop their artwork and develop connections and relationships.  

ArtAbout offers a Choose your own adventure for participants, as a ArtAbout self-guided tour that gives locals and visitors alike a new way to explore our region, by connecting with our creative community. With printed studio guides in hand (which will be available for free collection at Ah Haa and Visitors Center), visitors will enjoy a self-guided tour of the region, meet artists in their studios, and have the opportunity to purchase  original artworks, and experience creativity first hand. The ArtAbout is a unique opportunity for artists to sell their work directly to visitors and share their creative practices.

Visitors will meet the artists, buy original artworks, and learn about how and where artists create pottery, jewelry, photography, painting, sculpture, fiber arts, and more! The ArtAbout is a unique opportunity for artists to sell their work directly to visitors and share their creative practices. 

WHEN: The ArtAbout will take place during the weekend of October 3rd - 4th, from 10am - 4pm each day. 

WHERE: While the Ah Haa School will serve as a “visitor’s center” during the ArtABout weekend, the ArtAbout will take place in various artists’ studios across the region. 

WHO: Regional artists 18+ in age are encouraged to apply to the ArtAbout. The ArtAbout welcomes applicants working in various mediums, including but not limited to: textiles, oil painting, watercolors, acrylic painting, jewelry, metalsmithing, ceramics, and more. Artists will be selected for participation in the ArtAbout at Ah Haa’s discretion.

Application Requirements

WHAT IS REQUIRED: 

•   Each participating artist must provide one piece of work to be included in a Preview Exhibition in the gallery at Ah Haa School for the Arts. The Preview Exhibition will open October 1, 2026, coinciding with ArtWalk from 5-7pm, and will run through October 31, 2026.  **Sales of pieces displayed in the Preview Exhibition will be subject to a 60/40 income split, with 60% of the sales income going to the artist, and 40% of the sales income to Ah Haa**. Participating ArtAbout artists will receive a digital exhibition contract, detailing artwork drop off and collection times as well as other installation information. 

•   Participating artists must agree to be present in their studio and have their studio spaces open to the public for the duration of the ArtAbout weekend: October 3 and 4, 10am - 4pm daily.

•   Participating artists must agree to have their studio space clearly marked with the provided ArtAbout signage. 

•   Any sales of artwork undertaken at artist studios are direct sales from the artist and are not subject to any income split with Ah Haa (the artist will retain 100% of the sales income). Ah Haa is not liable for these sales terms or arrangements. 

•   Ah Haa may request a studio visit by a member of staff, to ensure that the studio space is suitable for public visitation. 

WHAT IS PROVIDED: 

•   Ah Haa will provide ArtAbout signage for each studio, to clearly identify ArtAbout Studio space. 

•   Ah Haa will market ArtAbout artists/locations widely across multiple platforms, showcasing artist works and directing visitors to the artist studios. 

•   A unique opportunity to engage directly with the public, highlight your creative practice and sell work directly to visitors.

•   Ah Haa will share with artists all official photo and video documentation of the ArtAbout event. 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: 

•   3-5 photos of your studio (please include parking information, accessibility limitations - i.e. stairs, narrow doorways, small spaces, and other pertinent information regarding visiting the space in your application). 

•   3-5 photos of artwork 

•   Artist Statement & Bio

•   Website and / or social media links

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria: 

•   Participating artists must have a studio space / a shared studio space or co-op / or an accessible space that can be open to the public for the duration of ArtAbout. **Ah Haa’s Curiosity Shop, Transformation and Ceramics Studios may be used by Ah Haa Open Studio artists on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

•   All participating spaces must be located within 60 miles of Telluride

•   All participating spaces must be accessible to the public. If your studio space is not ADA accessible, please note this in your application. 

•   Participating artists must agree to be included in Ah Haa’s media release, participate in printed assets, photography, and social media promotional posts. 

***If you would like to participate in the ArtAbout as an artist but do not have an accessible studio or do not feel comfortable having visitors in your studio, please note this in your application. Ah Haa may be able to work with you to find an alternative space***. 

•   Artists will be selected at Ah Haa’s discretion.