Issue No. 14 | February 2, 2026

Weekly Edition Sponsor

PUBLISHER'S NOTE | Denise Leslie, publisher

Looking at Cary Lindley’s photo of me leading a ukulele jam last spring makes me smile — a reminder that the moments I treasure most in the arts aren’t always on a big stage but often in a circle, sharing sound, laughter, and presence. That same sense of community runs through this week’s Eye on the Arts, from the Portrait Outlaw’s vivid exploration of identity to the welcoming new home for movement and connection at The Durango Collective, and the emotional depth of The Survivors’ Way.

We also share the story of Sober Water, where everyday nourishment becomes something larger — rooted in care, hope, and belonging. Helen Loom’s Spark Story reminds us how a single creative spark can quietly shape a life, and Ely Cartwright’s story brings music grounded in heart and honesty, the kind that feels like it’s sung just across the room. I hope these pieces feel like small lights along the path — reminders that art has a way of finding us, gathering us, and carrying us gently forward.

With gratitude,

Denise

P.S. Take a moment to click Read More and wander a bit — there’s always something extra waiting.

PERFORMING ARTS | MUSIC sponsored by Hideaway Marketing Agency

Keep on Hoping: How Songs Help Us Carry Our Lives

There are moments when music feels less like entertainment and more like companionship. In our latest feature, I reflect on the quiet power of songwriter music through Ely Cartwright’s new song “Keep on Hoping” — and a full-circle connection that began in Indiana and resurfaced years later in a Durango living room house concert. It’s a story about how songs help us carry memory, uncertainty, and hope — and why certain voices meet us exactly when we need them.

VISUAL ARTS | PHOTOGRAPHY |sponsored by Arts Perspective Magazine

Every Face Tells a Story: Meeting the Portrait Outlaw

I recently had the joy of talking with Cary Lindley, the man behind the playful moniker Portrait Outlaw — a photographer who’s been quietly walking our sidewalks, meeting strangers, and turning brief encounters into striking black-and-white portraits. What began as a retirement curiosity has grown into a living archive of community connection, reminding us that being seen — really seen — still matters. His story is one of second chapters, creative courage, and the simple magic of saying hello.

CULINARY ARTS | BEVERAGE ARTS sponsored by Southwest Small Business Development Center

Sober Water: Redefining What It Means to Nourish a Community

What if something as simple as a bottle of water could help reshape lives and communities? In this week’s Culinary Arts feature, we share the story behind Sober Water, a purpose-driven beverage company connecting sustainability, recovery, and human dignity in a way that feels deeply aligned with the creative spirit of our region. It’s a reminder that nourishment comes in many forms — and that thoughtful businesses can be part of the healing.

PERFORMING ARTS | THEATER | PERFORMANCE ARTS

sponsored by Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College

Walking ‘The Survivors' Way

An upcoming multi-event experience at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College invites our community into a powerful story told through film, movement, memory, and visual design. Created by Fort Lewis College alumnus Alex Oliszewski in collaboration with Fort Lewis College Theatre, The Survivors’ Way blends storytelling and media art to explore family history, loss, and the search for connection across generations. The performance is surrounded by hands-on workshops and a public lecture, offering meaningful ways to engage beyond the stage.

Arts Perspective is launching a call for Short Story Fiction and Artist collaborations!
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SPARK STORY | HELEN LOOMAN sponsored by Arts Perspective Magazine

I was born and raised in the mountains of Colorado. Still, my life has taken me far beyond them—living on a sailboat in California, in an apartment in New York City, in a one-room log cabin in Idaho, in several homes in the cities and mountains of Costa Rica, and even in a ger in Outer Mongolia. Now I call Mancos home.

PUBLISHER'S FEATURE | sponsored by Arts Perspective Magazine

The Durango Collective: A Room of Their Own

A new gathering space has quietly joined the rhythm of downtown Durango. At 1315 Main Avenue, The Durango Collective has opened its doors, offering a welcoming home for movement, creativity, and connection. Shaped by Marty, Lorisha, and a circle of dedicated volunteers, and operated by West Slope Westies, the space reflects a simple idea we deeply believe in — that community grows stronger when people have places to gather in person.

Quote for the Week: "Art is for healing ourselves, and everybody needs their own personal art to heal up their problems." Linda Ronstadt

WEEKLY EDITION SPONSOR | Ballantine Communications, Inc.

Arts Perspective Magazine returns in 2026 as an annual print publication, supported by artsperspectivemag.com and the weekly Eye on the Arts newsletter. After ten years away, the once-a-year edition reemerges as a gathering place for artists, audiences, and stories that matter. Advertising information and deadlines for the 2026 print issue are now available.

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 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 & Juleskool!