First Friday was a time for community

Cottonwood Square, the Niwot Sculpture Park, and Second Avenue were buzzing with activity at the First Friday Artwalk on the first day of April. Various businesses offered refreshments, and many hosted artists and musicians. While some displayed artwork–like The Wandering Jellyfish Bookshop showcasing local illustrator Jessica Lanan–others, like Belle Terre, had creative art stations. Walking through the town, one could see people painting still lifes and landscapes, while local musicians performed for visitors.

At the Niwot Sculpture Park, the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band performed a concert in support of Ukraine.

As reported in 2020, Ukrainian contemporary artist Egor Zigura was honored by having his piece, "Kore That Awakening" installed in the park. His was the first international sculpture selected and received by the Niwot Sculpture Park Committee as part of a program to obtain art on loan for public display, in the hope that the exposure will result in someone purchasing the art..

Now, the Niwot Cultural Arts Association is raising $25,000 to purchase the piece. Friday's concert was part of the effort to raise those funds.

Doug Miller, a trumpet player and librarian for the band, said, "The community has decided to support artists in Ukraine. We're going to add this to our collection here."

The concert kicked off with an arrangement of the Ukrainian National Anthem by British composer and arranger Keith Terrett, and included other songs such as "Pictures at an Exhibition (Great Gate of Kiev)," with band members standing for the majestic conclusion. The band followed with Elton John's "I'm Still Standing" and Bon Jovi's "Livin' On a Prayer" among others. The band's performance of Terrett's arrangement was the first time it had been performed in public.

"Our [band] leader likes to go through what we have and see what would fit the occasion," said Miller.

Miller further explained that the band typically performs at a few Friday artwalks throughout the year, as well as other community events. In light of the war in Ukraine and the fact that the artist Zigura–who has since left his country–is struggling, the band wanted to support him.

Lisa Rivard, an NCAA board member, artist, and one of the Sculpture Park committee members, spoke to the crowd, explaining that the committee's goal was to support Zigura and the people of Ukraine by purchasing the sculpture. She read a message from Zigura, in which he noted his appreciation for the decision to purchase his art. He also told Rivard that he planned to use the proceeds to help others in his country "who had a greater need."

While Friday's festivities were an opportunity for the town to gather, including Zigura's work is a way for the community to participate at the global level.

The concert raised #2,240 in cash and checks during the concert and another $360 in online donations by the next morning, for a total of $2,600 toward the overall goal. Tax deductible donations can be made to the NCAA by mail at PO Box 733, Niwot, CO 80544, or online at http://www.niwotarts.org.