Local Artists Abound in Niwot

Niwot has always prided itself on being a true small town – no big box stores, parades for every occasion, and lots of "mom and pop" businesses. This all adds up to a perfect atmosphere in which local artists can shine.

And local art is certainly thriving in Niwot this holiday season. The Open Studios Pop! Gallery celebrated a grand opening during Niwot's Enchanted Evening, Friday, Nov. 25. Twenty different artists working in numerous mediums are featured in the spruced-up space that previously housed the Niwot Rental and Feed store. Each artist featured at the gallery lives and works in Boulder County and is a member of Open Studios. Pop! Gallery is open Thursday through Sunday, noon to 6:00 p.m. through Dec. 31.

Kathleen LeRoy, a Boulder painter whose creations can be found at Niwot's Pop! Gallery, said that although it's important to have your work in different venues, "Boulder County is very supportive of arts and artists and there are many interested patrons."

She said the beauty that can be found here heavily influences her art. "I am outside every day, walking the open space and Front Range trails. This heavily influences my art. The rugged terrain, the bright, big skies and the spaciousness. You can see this reflected in my work with color, scale and subject."

LeRoy said that the area's physical attributes aren't the only influences she finds. Speaking to her more ethereal influences, she said, "I also believe this area has a lot of folks doing inner work and healing work, and I believe although these happenings are inward and not visible to the human eye, I absolutely believe it energetically influences my work."

Local artists have also found a home at numerous other locations in Niwot, including Osmosis Art and Architecture and The Little Shop Niwot. Anne Postle, Osmosis owner and an artist herself, makes it a point to feature local artists in her gallery. Open since February of 2009, Osmosis features over 40 individual artists. "We've always focused on Colorado artists, with most from Boulder County," said Postle.

With their featured artist changing quarterly, Postle said they are constantly rotating in new artwork. "Often a new artist is recommended by one of our current artists, and I am always looking to add new artists that will be a fit," she said. "We try hard to keep our mix of artists diverse." Postle feels it's vital to feature local artists. She stated, "Artwork has to speak to the buyer, and local art already begins with a tie to the heart of the buyer."

Sara Campbell from The Little Shop feels showcasing local artists is a "win-win" situation. "It's a tough market out there, competing with big box stores," she said. "We love supporting local artisans by offering a space to showcase their wares and meet new customers, too."

The Little Shop supports over 100 small businesses at any one time, showcasing not only local artists, but also products from craftspeople around the world. Campbell said she finds the featured artists in a number of different ways.

"I go to markets and events and am on many vendor forums and groups looking for the perfect gifts from artisans and small businesses," she said. She indicated that sometimes artists are discovered just by coming into the shop.

Campbell regularly adds items and artists to The Little Shop. "We just brought on four local artists' wares this week including candles from Lafayette, Shiborie-dyed textiles from Boulder, handmade backpacks from an artist in Erie, and ceramic Santa gnomes from Longmont." Campbell said that one Niwot artisan, Boulder Mama, just installed a sweet treat shelf where she sells Hot Cocoa Bombs, reindeer hot chocolate, savory popcorn, small batch jam, peppermint bark and more.

Boulder County artist Peter Buwalda also displays his work at The Little Shop, among other venues. "A friend reached out when they (The Little Shop) first opened and said that I really needed to be showing here," Buwalda said. "And I've been here ever since." Now Buwalda also designs original items for the store, including mugs and cards.

One of his favorite designs is the Queen Bee series which came about after the National Agriculture Museum of Canada commissioned honeybee drawings. Buwalda put a Colorado spin on the drawings by surrounding a honeybee with a wreath of Colorado wildflowers which he said is a "nod to the Centennial State and natural conservation."

In talking about his art on his website, Buwalda said, "It is hard not to feel amazed at the interconnectedness between all living things, how fortunate we are just to be here, and how fragile it all is. If that impression lasts with the viewer, and in turn their relationship with the earth grows even a little, then I have done my job." Buwalda said that as with most artist "coops," he works at The Little Shop once or twice a month and enjoys the opportunity to meet customers and other artists.

With Christmas still more than a week away, there are plenty of chances to find your new favorite local artist (and the perfect holiday gift) in Niwot. For more information check out Niwot stores at https://niwot.com/shopping.