ISSUE NO. 35 | JUNE 29, 2026

Friends,

There are weeks when the stories seem to find one another.

As I worked on this week’s edition of Eye on the Arts, I realized each one stirred a memory. Revisiting The Shining took me back to being a young mom watching Jack Nicholson terrify audiences on the big screen. It was one of those movies that stayed with me long after the credits rolled—and every time my kids raced their Hot Wheels around our basement, those eerie scenes from the Overlook Hotel weren’t far behind. Looking at the Declaration of Independence this week reminded me that words have always mattered. Whether written with a quill more than 250 years ago or shared through today’s artists, musicians, writers, and filmmakers, creativity has a remarkable way of connecting generations.

That connection is what I love most about putting together Eye on the Arts. Each week, I have the privilege of sharing the creativity happening here in Southwest Colorado while also looking a little farther afield. You’ll find those discoveries in Beyond Our Corners, where I hope you’ll discover a film, performance, exhibition, or story that inspires you to keep exploring the wider world of the arts.

Wherever this holiday week takes you, I hope you’ll spend a few moments with this edition, revisit a favorite memory, discover something new, and celebrate the many ways creativity enriches our lives.

Thank you for reading, for sharing these stories with others, and for supporting the artists, organizations, and creative voices that make our communities so special.

Happy Independence Day, and have a wonderfully creative week.

— Denise Leslie

Publisher, Arts Perspective

PERFORMING ARTS | Film sponsored by Durango Arts Center

The Movies We Never Really Forget

I still remember watching The Shining as a young mom—and for years afterward, every time my kids rode their little toys through our basement, I couldn’t help but think of those unforgettable hallway scenes. Funny how certain films stay with us.

That memory inspired this week’s story as the Durango Arts Center joins Colorado’s 150 Film Festival celebration. Discover why film deserves a place alongside painting, music, literature, and theatre—and explore a statewide collection of Colorado-connected movies that just might inspire your next road trip.

LITERARY ARTS | sponsored by Hideaway Arts Marketing

More Than History: A Masterpiece of the Written Word

Before the fireworks begin this Independence Day, take a moment to revisit one of America’s most enduring works of literature. Long before the Declaration of Independence became a treasured historical document, it began as carefully chosen words on a page.

Written with purpose, clarity, and conviction, its language has inspired generations and reminds us that the written word can shape history just as powerfully as a painting, a poem, or a piece of music.

EVENT SPOTLIGHT | sponsored by Blue Rain Gallery

Wondered and Found: Painting the Spirit of Place

What happens when the landscape becomes part of the artwork itself? Discover the remarkable Terroir Paintings™ of Colorado artist Eunika Rogers, whose newest exhibition at Blue Rain Gallery is created using natural clay and earth pigments gathered from the San Juan Mountains.

CULINARY ARTS | CULINARY TRADITIONS | sponsored by

TALK TO ME ABOUT SPONSORING THIS SECTION!

From the Family Recipe Box | Homemade Ice Cream & Summer Desserts

Some of the best family stories aren’t written in books—they’re tucked inside old recipe boxes on handwritten index cards, newspaper clippings, and well-loved cookbook pages. This month, I’m sharing one of my favorite childhood memories along with my mom’s treasured Heavenly Chocolate Ice Cream recipe, the one that brought family together around an old-fashioned hand-cranked freezer every summer.

And now, I’d love to share yours. Learn about our new monthly feature, From the Family Recipe Box, and find out how your family’s favorite recipe could become part of the Arts Perspective story.

PERFORMING ARTS | MUSIC | sponsored by Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College

When the Guitar Started Talking | Discovering the artistry of Alex Graf

From the rhythmic beats of the Tabla to the rich harmonies of bluegrass, Alex Graf has followed a musical path shaped by curiosity, family, and an unwavering passion for the guitar. Discover the story behind one of the Four Corners’ most respected musicians—and why he believes the world needs your music.

Beyond Our Corners...highlights inspiring stories and ideas from beyond the Four Corners region.

When the Building Becomes the Exhibit

North Dakota’s newest cultural destination proves that architecture can tell a story long before you step through the front door. Built into the Badlands with sustainability and landscape at its heart, the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is a reminder that great design can be as inspiring as the collections it houses.

→ Read more

Can a Shopping Mall Become an Art Gallery?

Vacant storefronts are finding new life in New York’s Hudson Valley, where a struggling shopping mall has been transformed into a contemporary art experience. It’s an imaginative example of how artists continue to redefine the spaces where creativity can thrive—and perhaps a glimpse into the future of community arts.

→Read more

And as always, you’ll find the stories unfolding closer to home at artsperspectivemag.com.

Looking for a quick way to stay connected to the arts community across the Four Corners? Tune in to the Eye on the Arts Minute on KSUT Public Radio.

Despite its name, the Eye on the Arts Minute is closer to a two-minute journey into the creative life of our region. Each segment highlights artists, performances, exhibitions, literary voices, and cultural happenings that make the Southwest such a vibrant place to live and create. It’s a chance to discover a new musician, learn about an upcoming event, or hear the story behind a local artist—all during your daily routine.

The partnership between Arts Perspective and KSUT reflects a shared commitment to community storytelling. Both organizations believe that the arts matter, not only because they entertain and inspire, but because they connect us to one another and to the places we call home.

Listeners can catch the Eye on the Arts Minute throughout the week on KSUT, including Saturdays at 11:58 a.m., immediately following This American Life, making it an easy addition to your weekend listening routine.

Arts Perspective is grateful to KSUT Public Radio for sponsoring this week’s Eye on the Arts and for their ongoing support of artists, musicians, nonprofits, and cultural organizations throughout the Four Corners region.

Please support our sponsors! They help us keep Arts Perspective stories flowing. ♡

Become an Arts Advocate Member today — and keep the stories flowing for $10 per month.

Thank you all, Barbara Grist, Shell Simonson, Heather Freeman, Tad Smith, Moni & Jonas Grushkin, Milt Beens, Aunt Victoria & Jim, Cinda Wassmer, Randy Hays, Patricia Burk, Sharon Abshagen, Mary Zaleski, Jan Wright, Charles Shaw, Linda Barnes, Julie Cooley, Beth Drum, Hilarie Strong, Charles Leslie, Cary Lindley, Ilze Aviks, Gina Rosato, Candace Leslie, Angie Zbornik, Cindy Schmidt, Nancy Peake, Chandler Strange, Cathryn Bauer, Sydney Cooley, Jennifer Thurston - Project Weaselskin, & Megan & Nick Mustoe!

Quote for the Week: "Creativity takes courage." - Henri Matisse