Commonwheel Artists Co-op is hosting a show with invited guests to celebrate 30 years of Carnivale; the exhibit opens Friday, Feb. 3, and runs through Feb. 27 at 102 Cañon Ave.
Artists from around the Pikes Peak Region and members of Commonwheel Artists Co-op have created artwork in many styles around the theme of Manitou’s popular Carnivale event.
After returning from a trip to Italy 30 years ago, co-op member Arlene Wood inspired artists in Manitou Springs to create an event similar to Carnevale (Italian for Carnival) as they celebrated it there with people wearing beautiful costumes and fantastic masks.
A group of artists dressed in colorful attire and a couple of large puppets paraded through the town on the sidewalks the Saturday before Fat Tuesday that year. For every year afterward, no matter the weather, a parade has celebrated this fun event in Manitou Springs at that same timeframe. During recent years, the Manitou Springs Chamber has hosted a Gumbo Cook-off as part of that celebration.
The gallery will be filled with colorful and historic works of art. Time to find the perfect mask or learn about the history of how Carnivale has been celebrated in Manitou Springs for 30 years!
Information: Commonwheel website.