Issue No. 7 | December 15, 2025

Weekly Edition Sponsor

Note from Publisher, Denise Leslie

Some weeks feel like a mixtape — a little sweetness, a little courage, and a whole lot of creative spark. That’s the spirit of this Eye on the Arts.

I hope you’ll savor what’s here: moments that make you think, smile, maybe even pause mid-bite or mid-song. From playful creativity to fearless expression, these stories remind us that art shows up everywhere — in words, in music, in community, and yes, sometimes in really good pastry.

Thanks for being part of this growing circle of readers, listeners, and art-lovers. I’m so glad you’re here.

With gratitude and curiosity,

Denise Leslie

Publisher & Editor, Arts Perspective

Photo: A scene from my daughter's apartment window in Missoula, Montana - wild horses that roam the lands...and roam right into town!

Call for Creators Are you an artist, writer, musician, or storyteller with something to share? Send your news, work, or ideas to dleslie@artsperspectivemag.com. I want to hear your story.

Khara Wolf | Composer & Educator

I’m Khara Wolf, a lifelong musician, composer, and educator whose creative journey began with a single unforgettable moment. In 2001, I was sitting beneath a tent at the Pagosa Folk Festival, only a few rows from the stage. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones were performing, and I had never heard live music before. The energy, the interplay, the joy—it was unlike anything I’d ever experienced.

Where Pastry Becomes Art: La Bonne’s Southwest Touch

When you step into La Bonne Patisserie, there’s a small, unmistakable shift—like the world takes a breath. The warmth in the air, the quiet hum of the kitchen, and the sight of pastries that look almost too beautiful to eat all speak to owner Kate Naumann’s devotion to her craft. Her patisserie has become one of Durango’s most cherished culinary stops, not because it tries to be fancy, but because every detail feels intentional, personal, and deeply rooted in place.

LITERARY ARTS | sponsored by KSUT Public Radio
Page One: The Power of a Single Page

There’s a grounding feeling in hearing a page of a book read aloud. Just one page—only a few paragraphs—can draw you into a story, introduce a voice you’ve never heard before, or remind you why reading matters. Page One, a locally produced program on KSUT Public Radio, is based on that simple idea. Each week, a single page from a book is read aloud, giving listeners a quiet moment with language, storytelling, and imagination.

VISUAL ARTS | sponsored by Hideaway Marketing Agency
Revisiting: FEAR THE ART

Initially written by Stew Mosberg and published in Arts Perspective magazine's Fall 2012 issue, "Fear the Art" explores the enduring relationship between creative expression and freedom of thought. Revisiting the essay today, it’s striking how relevant Mosberg’s insights remain. In moments when arts funding shifts and cultural priorities evolve, his words offer a timely reminder that art is more than decoration or diversion — it’s dialogue, courage, and the voice of a free people.

Returning to this piece felt necessary. It invites us to pause, reflect, and appreciate the vital role artists play in helping us see, question, and connect — especially when expression itself feels fragile.

Read the whole essay and the publisher’s note on Arts Perspective.

EVENT SPOTLIGHT | sponsored by Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College

When Something Unexpected Happened: The Bar-D Wranglers’ Christmas Jubilee

When I first attended a Bar-D Wranglers concert after moving to Durango nearly 17 years ago, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Growing up in the Midwest, cowboy music wasn’t part of my everyday soundtrack.

But then something unexpected happened.

Through stories and harmonies, I began to recognize songs I already knew—and the deep roots they shared. This holiday season, the Bar-D Wranglers return with their beloved Christmas Jubilee, a joyful Durango tradition.

Thank you to our Weekly Edition Sponsor | "It could be YOU!"

Support the Stories That Shape Our Creative Community

Eye on the Arts is becoming the Four Corners’ weekly heartbeat—a vibrant mix of artist spotlights, behind-the-scenes moments, fresh discoveries, and the creative pulse that ties our region together. Each Monday, our readers open their inbox to inspiration, connection, and the reminder that art is alive here.

If you believe in creativity, community, and meaningful storytelling, join us. Let’s uplift the arts—together. Interested in sponsoring Eye on the Arts? Let’s talk.

Quote for the Week: “Holidays are joyful, there’s always something new. But ev’ryday’s a holiday, when I’m near to you.” – Merry Christmas, Darling - The Carpenters

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Thank you to all who supported Arts Perspective magazine on "Buy Me a Coffee" - YOU ALL ROCK!! Thank you to my new supporter, Patricia Burk!