Winter Park’s Alpine ArtAffair returns to the Rendezvous Event Center this weekend. A sure sign that summer is in full swing, the 2-day juried show features artists from across the region competing for top honors in a variety of categories including ceramics, fiber, jewelry, painting, photography, metal, wood and mixed media. 

Now in its 46th year, the Alpine ArtAffair is a summer favorite for locals and visitors alike. The unique variety of artists and their creations, spread across 80 exhibitors’ booths in a serene mountain setting makes for an exceptional experience. Honing in on purchase decisions will be the most difficult decision you’ll have to make during your visit.

“We selected a few new artists this year that I am excited to introduce to the community,” said event director, Cheryl Day, adding, “and, we are bringing back some returning favorites.” There will be music on the Rendezvous Event Center stage both Saturday & Sunday afternoons, which contributes to the unique atmosphere of the event. “This is the 12th year that I have organized the Winter Park Alpine ArtAffair and I think it just gets better every year.”

Artist Candice Kiesow, of CC Designs Art Jewelry, said, “I started doing the ArtAffair soon after we bought a second home in Grand County in 2008. I love doing small town shows that are put on by locals. They cater to your needs, they get a great crowd in, they’re very helpful, and it’s a great way to get to know people in the community. The Winter Park Alpine ArtAffair is one of my favorite shows of the summer!”2017 Alpine ArtAffair

In addition to the artist’s booths, you’ll find HawkQuest Birds of Prey, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of raptors and the ecosystems that depend on them. Other nonprofits at this year’s event include Grand County’s Advocates, Wilderness Group and Historical Association.

The Fraser River Valley Lions Club will be serving a pancake breakfast from 7:30 – 11 am each morning, Wild Horse Catering offers a great lunch menu, and Charlie’s Frozen Treat Shop and Rocky Mountain Lemonshakers will be serving refreshing treats to keep you cool on a hot summer day.

This year’s art poster, “Byers in Fall”, was painted by Anne Astrella Buel. Focused on the textures and colors of the fall grasses framed by the iconic peak, the poster will be on sale at the main pavilion for $25. All proceeds from the sale go to provide scholarships for Grand County students.

Each year, the Winter Park Alpine ArtAffair awards graduating seniors who are pursuing the arts in post-graduate studies with scholarship funds. The 2019-2020 scholarship recipients are Linneya Gardner, Kye Kuriyama, Kiana Ledin, Connor Life, Theo Loo and Ashley Trotter.

The Alpine ArtAffair is free and open to all from 9 am – 5 pm on Saturday, July 13th, and, 9 am – 4 pm on Sunday, July 14th. Whether you are (or aren’t) looking for a special something, a gift item, or just want to look around and enjoy the music, this year’s Alpine ArtAffair will not disappoint. There truly is something for everyone – enjoy!