Why Not Niwot? Explore art and vote for your favorites

For the next few weeks, there will be art throughout Niwot with the Why Not Niwot? Juried Art Show organized by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association and Osmosis Art Gallery.

The 2023 event was launched at July's First Friday Art Walk and this year marks the 12th year of the show. More than 30 art entries featuring Niwot can be seen in eight Niwot businesses: Osmosis Gallery, Niwot Jewelry & Gifts, Niwot Inn & Spa, Few of a Kind Vintage and Mercantile, Niwot Wheel Works, Fly Away Home Decor, Inkberry Books and Niwot Market. The artwork represents a range of mediums, including pastel, oil, watercolor and photography. All artwork is available for sale.

"It's a wonderful way to explore the town and to see some wonderful art that features Niwot," said Ann Postle, owner of Osmosis Gallery, which sponsored the art show along with the NCAA.

While community members visit the work throughout town, they're encouraged to vote for their favorite as part of a "People's Choice" award. Ballots are available at the locations presenting work, and voting must be completed by the end of August, "We've had a number of ballots that are already turned in," Postle said.

As they view work, voters can also get their stamped event passport, which can be entered into a prize drawing once it is completely filled out. The prize for the winning voter is a print of the juried winning art piece.

Prizes for artists include a first prize of $500, a second prize of $250 and a third prize of $100. The artist who is elected through the community voting process will receive a People's Choice award and $100. .

All winners, both for the artists, the People's Choice Award, and the passport drawing, will be announced at the September First Friday Art Walk on Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. That event will double as a fundraiser for the Niwot Cultural Arts Association, which sponsors the juried art show. Patrons may purchase prints, postcards, and wine bottles labeled with an image of the winning art piece, along with a performance by the always appreciated Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band.

On that evening, all of the work will be gathered together at the former Feed Store, across the street from Osmosis Gallery. If art lovers didn't get a chance to see the artwork displayed around town, they can see the entries there.

Artists are excited to be included in the show. "A lot of times they're the biggest promoters of the event," Postle said. "They get their families and friends involved. We've also had great success with the Plein Air groups. Louisville Plein Air group came to Niwot to paint, and the Boulder groups come regularly. More and more artists are seeing Niwot as a great place to paint."

Show judges include Niwot artist and NCAA board member Lisa Rivard, Niwot resident and Left Hand Valley Courier Advertising Director Alyson Bell, and Boulder's Mary Williams of Mary Williams Fine Art

Postle is excited to see how this show expands art appreciation in the community. She said, "I encourage people to venture out, get a ballot, explore Niwot and see these great pieces of art."