After quietly developing plans to expand the building housing the Gallery of the Spanish Peaks Arts Council (SPACe) in the La Veta Town Park, SPACe has kicked off the fundraising campaign with a party on August 10 at the Parkside Gallery.  The party was an entertaining wine and cheese event with music provided by David and Annie Enke for no admission fee.  The architect's drawings of the building and floor plans were on display. Steve Perkins introduced the SPACe Board of Directors. President Kathy Hill spoke about the history of SPACe and the gallery building as well as what the new 2-story addition will enable the organization to do. Fundraiser John Manos spoke of the campaign to raise the $300,000 projected funds needed to complete the project.  Kathy Amato, President of the Cuchara Hermosa, presented SPACe with a symbolic $10,000 gift for the building fund.

Front elevation

The process initially began three years ago with the re-stucco project, to give the gallery a much needed facelift. Generous contributions, as well as a number of fundraising projects enabled this first step to improve the facility and stabilize the building which was originally built by community volunteers in 1982. Several hardworking volunteers also repainted the trim. See the volunteers working on the trim

The next step called for expansion of the building to gain much needed storage space, but since the building sits on town park land, delays occurred due to the lease held between SPACe and the Town. When a survey required by the Town Board revealed that SPACe land extends further to the east, the SPACe Board put a hold on plans in order to consider a more extensive expansion. After presenting a revised petition to the Town, variances were granted allowing up to 1500 square feet of expansion, with much of the additional space being on a second floor.

Today SPACe is equipped with a beautiful plan by Trinidad architect Alan Petersen that will retain the integrity of the original stucco building and create a handsome two story addition. Happily SPACe has already raised substantial donations and in-kind contributions by volunteers. The estimated cost to build the addition is $300,000. SPACe hopes to raise that amount and to be ready for construction to commence within two years.

The new addition will give SPACe double the display area with a 900 square foot addition, allowing more than one exhibit to be held at the same time. The project will also add 500 square feet of work space on the second floor which can be used for workshops or artist studios. More area will be available for the artisan gift shop as well as the much needed storage space.

Over the last 30 years, SPACe (and its predecessor, Friends of the Arts Guild) has contributed significantly to the arts in Huerfano County. It has presented musical performances and recitals, Children’s Art Workshops and scholarships as well as ongoing art exhibits featuring over one hundred southern Colorado artists. SPACe also works with the La Veta Schools to present an annual student art show. The SPACe Gallery provides a non-judgmental environment for beginning and professional artists to share their work with the community.

For those who wish to support the campaign, donations to the Building Expansion Fund may be made payable directly to SPACe,  and sent to P.O. Box 419, La Veta, CO 81055. Your contribution is tax deductible. You will receive a written receipt.

I (We) pledge to contribute $______________to the SPACe Building Expansion fund in 2008 and $______________ in 2009.

NAME____________________________________________________________

MAILING ADDRESS___________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

PHONE______________________________   

EMAIL ___________________________________________________________

For additional information call the SPACe Gallery,  719 742-3074 Tues. – Sat. 10 – 3; Sundays noon – 3. Email: gallery@spanishpeaksarts.org     www.spanishpeaksarts.org