Issue No. 6 | December 8, 2025

Weekly Edition Sponsor

A Note from Publisher, Denise Leslie | This week in Eye on the Arts!

Each week, as I gather the stories that fill these pages, I’m reminded how creativity shows up in so many forms — a poem, a photograph, a shared meal, a song played in a quiet room. Art connects us to one another in ways words alone can’t.

This issue celebrates that connection — the spark that moves us to make, share, and keep showing up for beauty in our daily lives. From kitchen tables to concert halls, every story begins with someone choosing to create.

So wherever you are reading this today, I hope something here stirs your own creative spirit. Let it remind you that what we make — and how we share it — matters.

And - yes, that is a photo of me and Garth Brooks back in 1994 in one of my past lives...he's cool...

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.

— Denise Leslie

With appreciation and joy,

Denise Leslie

Publisher & Editor, Arts Perspective

Gretchen Collins | Mystery Enthusiast

I, Gretchen Collins, have never committed a crime. Nor do I intend to. But that doesn’t stop me from loving a good mystery. I write and live in Southwest Colorado with my brilliant and supportive husband, two inspiring and busy-keeping children, and a gentle descendant of wolves.

A Fresh Take on Nourishing a Community: Chef Ana Smith’s Path to Pagosa Springs

In a town that values wellness, creativity, and the beauty of everyday meals, Chef Ana Smith has carved out a uniquely personal culinary niche. A private chef and meal-prep specialist based in Pagosa Springs, Ana brings a South Texas warmth to Southern Colorado’s mesas and mountain kitchens. Her work combines practicality with purpose—healthy, flavorful meals crafted not just to delight in the moment but to nourish long after the plates are cleared.

LITERARY ARTS | SHORT STORIES | sponsored by Arts Perspective magazine
The Bell of San Miguel
Author, Mary Helen Fierro Klare | Artist, Barbara Meikle, Artist, Santa Fe, NM

I remember the evening I first saw the bell on the plaza. The year was 1950, and the month was January. I had just turned six. I recall I was on my way to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church to deliver Father Francisco the supper my grandmother had prepared for him. The sun was setting, and the sky was aflame with streamers of crimson clouds. The snow on the Sangre de Cristo peaks looked like pink whipped cream. Walking, taking my time, wafts of roast chicken, beans and green chile from the village chimneys drifting in the breeze.

Read the entire story here...

Stay Tuned—Arts Perspective is launching a call for Short Story Fiction and Artist collaborations!

CREATIVE VOICES | sponsored by Jimmy's Music & Supply
Creative Voices Debuts in January | Jonas Grushkin

Coming in January, we will share stories—New Voices, Fresh Starts—a month devoted to beginnings, bold experiments, and the emerging creatives ready to share their work with the world.

Our January 'Creative Voices' will dive into Jonas Grushkin’s extraordinary creative journey — from his legendary days photographing the Grateful Dead on tour to the thoughtful, grounded art he creates today in Durango. His story spans decades of image-making, original music compositions, and a lifelong devotion to capturing the world with curiosity and heart. Together, his photography and music form a body of work that is as expressive as it is deeply human.

Stay tuned for our sit-down interview with Jonas coming in January!

PERFORMING ARTS | MUSIC | sponsored by Hideaway Marketing Agency
Hideaway House Concerts: Intimate Music, Shared Moments, and the Joy of Listening

There’s something remarkable about gathering in a living room to hear a musician share their stories up close. Hideaway House Concerts has become one of Durango’s most beloved ways to experience music—intimate, heartfelt, and full of connection. We’re sharing the story behind the series, the artists who’ve grown with us, and what’s ahead for 2026.

READ THE STORY AND WATCH THE VIDEO...

EVENT SPOTLIGHT | sponsored by STUDIO & GALLERY

The Bizarre Bazaar Returns to Studio & — A Joyfully Unpredictable Showcase of Local Creatives

Every December, Studio & transforms into a wonderland of imagination—part art market, part community gathering, and part celebration of the beautifully unexpected. The Bizarre Bazaar (affectionately known as the BizBaz) has become one of Durango’s most beloved winter traditions, drawing people who crave something a little offbeat, a little daring, and completely handmade. For three festive days, the gallery fills with inventive works from some of the region’s most creative artists, creating a lively, joyful mix of styles and stories.

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.

By becoming a sponsor, you’re not just placing your name beside a newsletter—you’re investing in the people and stories that make this region extraordinary. Your support helps us highlight emerging artists, amplify local voices, and shine a brighter light on the cultural richness that sets Southwest Colorado apart.

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: "Whatever you do, always give 100%. Unless you are donating blood." - Bill Murray

Your Eye on the Arts is free to read and share. We believe stories about creativity should be accessible to everyone, which is why there’s no paywall. If you find value in our work, we welcome donations or ongoing support through our Buy Me a Coffee platform — every contribution helps bring more stories to life.

Thank you to all who supported Arts Perspective magazine this month on "Buy Me a Coffee" - YOU ALL ROCK!! Thank you to my new supporter - and friend, Randy Hays!