Breaking News
Cortez Police Chief Roy Lane, who until his recent retirement was the longest-serving police chief in the state of Colorado, has died after a lengthy illness. A memorial service and reception will take place beginning …
Southwest Colorado has been chosen as the focus of a new effort to improve forest health and increase the resilience of forests and communities. The Rocky Mountain Restoration Initiative, which includes 30 organizations, is planning …
Free Press on Facebook
Read more
Category Archives: Arts & Entertainment
Ten questions for Anne Hillerman: The best-selling author and daughter of Tony Hillerman discusses his legacy and more
Print this articleOn Wednesday, Jan. 11, at 6 p.m. author Anne Hillerman will be speaking at the Cortez Public Library (202 N. Park St.) to kick off its 2017 Amazing Authors Tour. Daughter of the late, legendary New Mexico novelist … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, January 2017
Tagged Anne Hillerman
The play’s the thing: Tennyson, Welty revive community theater at the Sunflower
Print this articleIn this age of flat-screen devices and digital storytelling, rich, stimulating, live theater performances may no longer take center stage in our entertainment options. But two local actors see this circumstance as a timely opportunity and are working … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, November 2016
Tagged Sunflower Theater
A dream come true: A new center for the arts is opening in Cortez
Print this articleA new arts center is opening in Cortez after an intense, 18-month renovation process to transform a 1950s gas station into a practical yet inspiring studio space. The building design and space planning had to function on multiple … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, October 2016
A stitch in time: Quilting soars to creative heights, earning recognition
Print this articleForty years ago, Cortez resident Tammy Wilson, a member of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, was given a quilt made by her auntie. The traditional piecework design radiates out from the center in a mix of brightly colored, … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, September 2016
The power of pictures: A Mancos exhibit showcases the historic and history-making work of William Henry Jackson
Print this articleThe power of a photograph to change the course of history was more apparent 150 years ago, when the explorer William Henry Jackson took a picture of land near Yellowstone River that led to the declaration of the … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, August 2016
Author Mauldin finds inspiration in parks
Print this articleBaby boomers young enough in 1966 to remember scrambling into the back seat of their parents’ station wagon for a trip to a national park like Mesa Verde may also be able to conjure the jingle, “See the … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, May 2016
Singular focus: Photographer and Mesa Verde artist-in-residence Gregory Spaid specializes in the ‘lone tree’
Print this articleEach January, the Mesa Verde artist-in-residence program reviews dozens of applications from national, international and local artists who are hoping to create writing, visual art or music compositions while living at the park. This year was no exception. … Continue reading
Published in April 2016, Arts & Entertainment
Learning, growth expected for Canyon Country Discovery Center
Print this articleThis will be a year of development and learning for the Canyon Country Discovery Center – the new campus of the Four Corners School of Outdoor Education in Monticello, Utah. “There are things we just don’t know — … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, March 2016
Cultural-center revamp highlights history
Print this articleWhen Jeff Weinmeister took over the directorship of the Cortez Cultural Center in 2015, the not-for-profit was called by some on the street a sinking ship. The board was fractious and the mission and offerings – including archeological … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, March 2016
Tagged Cortez Cultural Center
Fluidity at The Farm
Print this articleLocal photographer Barbara Grist is presenting an exhibition through May 31 at The Farm Bistro, 34 W. Main St., Cortez. This exhibition by showcases photographs from her “Fluidity” series, presenting photographic interpretations of water and light in two … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, May 2015
Aid for code-talker whose home burned
Print this article When Samuel Holiday was forcibly enrolled in the Tuba City Boarding School as an 8-year-old, he was firmly told it was “English language only! – No Navajo!” He tried to comply. He studied hard, but he wasn’t … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, December 2011
The Diversity of Indian Country: Author sees new energy in Native American communities
Print this articleIndian Country is a vibrant and diverse locale, says Catherine (“Everybody knows me as Cathy”) Robbins, author of “All Indians Do Not Live in Teepees (or Casinos),” published by the University of Nebraska Press. “Modernity and a restorative … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, November 2011
Bluff Arts Fest focuses on storytelling
Print this articleSouthwest author Craig Childs will be among the gathering’s notables Every year, on a chilly January day, somebody wandering into the Bluff, Utah, post office will find a sign-up sheet. Planning has already begun for Bluff Arts Festival, … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, October 2011
Tagged Bluff
Wicked good: Colorado author recounts true tales from the Wild, Wild West
Print this articleOne June day in 1912, gunfire rattled Ophir, Colo. When the roar subsided, “twenty-five-year-old Charles Turner lay in the dirt by the railroad tracks, blood pouring from his mouth, and a hole in his chest.” Ninety-eight years later, … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, September 2011
A cultural crossroads: Cortez center is a museum, a gallery, an entertainmnet hub and much more
Print this article It’s a little bit of a lot of things. Part museum, part art gallery, part natural and cultural resources preserve, and part gift shop featuring work by local crafters, the Cortez Cultural Center draws people from all … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, August 2011
Hopkins’ ‘Carlomagno’ imagines the life of a Native American pirate
Print this article Career journalists always have a book in their belly. Most dream of writing the investigative story that will change the world for the better. John Christian Hopkins, an award-winning reporter (and a Free Press columnist) who … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, August 2011
Golden fleeces: The role of sheep in Native culture
Print this article“Her instinct was very strong and she accepted her young with no problem,” says TahNibaa Naataanii of one of her Navajo churro sheep, which became a first-time mom this spring. Naataanii serves as project director of Diné be’ … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, June 2011
Tagged churro sheep, navajo culture, sheep is life, tahnibaa naataanii
New Mexican finds art in everyday moments
Print this articleThe crisp odor of oil paint and solvent greets anybody visiting the studio of Farmington, N.M., artist Gerald Farm, just next to the home he and his wife, Shari, built in 1973. They separated the buildings because, Farm … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, May 2011
Tagged gerald farm, warming the bones
‘Sacred Images’ showcases ancient rock art
Print this articleThe photo exhibit, “Sacred Images: A Vision of Native American Rock Art,” will fill the Special Exhibit Gallery at the BLM Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, Colo., from April 1 through Oct. 30. The exhibit features Utah rock … Continue reading
Published in April 2011, Arts & Entertainment
Tagged anasazi heritage center, craig law, john telford, rock art, sacred images, tom till
Artist Keith Hutcheson’s vision of the outdoors
Print this articleKeith Hutcheson is a contented artist today. His retrospective painting exhibit at the Anasazi Heritage Center is an opportunity to survey decades of his own visual art work hanging as a portfolio in its entirety for the first … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, January 2011
Tagged anasazi heritage center, keith hutcheson
A non-traditional holiday
Print this articleSome theatre companies slate themselves to perform the usual plays or musicals at Christmas time: “A Christmas Carol,” “The Nutcracker,” all the traditionals. But the Durango Arts Center is grinning all the way with an original musical written … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, December 2010
Healing the human heart
Print this articleWhen it comes to human behavior, Kate Niles isn’t much interested in simplistic views about good and evil. She’s fascinated by the vast region that lies between – the complex shadings that make up the human psyche. “I … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, November 2010
Up in the air: People and objects will be flying at the first Durango Juggle Fest
Print this article Only five percent of the professional jugglers around the world are women. Erin Stephens of Durango is one of that rare breed. Stephens’ talents and those of a host of other performers will be on display at … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, October 2010
‘Crazy’ for Patsy Cline
Print this articleWhen people crowd into the Durango Arts Center for the start of “Always Patsy Cline,” they’re chatting and happy, full of anticipation. But by the time the show ends, the theater is mostly quiet, the silence punctuated with … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, August 2010
Tapestry of life: Kady’s weavings depict family and surroundings
Print this article“I am very passionate about it,” says Navajo weaver Roy Kady of his art. “It’s my love. I can feel it at the tips of my fingers.” Kady grew up in a weaving family in Goat Springs, a … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, July 2010
Growing native: Classes teach expertise in local plants, gardening
Print this articleMagnifying glasses to eyes, men and women spread across a field bright with flowers. Someone examines a leaf and makes a note in a black book. Two others huddle and whisper, pointing to something at their feet. Detectives … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, June 2010
Noble breeds: Mancos sculptor captures animals’ essence
Print this articleOne day, sculptor Patsy Davis’ wire-hair pointer paced the house, begging to go out. Davis ignored her — until a squeak caught her attention. Picturing mischief, she dashed to see what the dog was doing. The dog wasn’t … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, May 2010
A woman’s intelligence
Print this articleDurango’s Harris broke ground gathering info for the military One day, 5-year-old Gail Harris sat at home in Newark, N.J., watching TV with her dad. “Now my dad was both visionary and old-fashioned,” she laughs. “You know. ‘We … Continue reading
Published in April 2010, Arts & Entertainment
A dog’s voice
Print this articleEveryone knows the adage, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” But few people have taken it to heart more than Connie Gotsch. Gotsch, of Farmington, N.M., knew as a child that she wanted to become … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, March 2010
‘Dog-crazy’
Print this articleGoodnight’s sculptures celebrate animals and the American West “Look at your hand and turn it 360 degrees. You can see how much form there is in that,” Mancos artist Veryl Goodnight replies when asked why she uses live … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, February 2010
Horses and women who ride
Print this articleWomen have always had a special affinity for horses, and a unique mother- daughter show at the Edge of Cedars State Park Museum in Blanding, Utah, celebrates that bond. “Desert Horses (Painted by the Women Who Ride Them)” … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, January 2010
Facing a painted reality
Print this articleEd Singer is an artist who renders contemporary reality on the Navajo reservation with a hard experiential lens on internal politics. It’s what he sees, hears, observes and knows firsthand. “Even so,” he insists, “it’s not political art.” … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, December 2009
Art in public places
Print this articleWheat-paste images surprise drivers on Navajo rez It’s easy to miss highway wheatpaste street art while traveling 70 mph across the northern Navajo Nation, under the mesmerizing influence of the sensual land. The beauty swallows the presence of … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, November 2009
Stepping Out: A local concert series launches another season
Print this articleThe Dove Creek school system has no music program, but thanks to the SouthWest Colorado Concert Association, and a Dove Creek bank, interested students and adults can attend classical, jazz, and pop concerts. Every year, the SWCCA brings … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, October 2009
Beastly beauty: An exhibit depicts cougars in art, pop culture
Print this articleThe horse rears, tossing the sheriff over the cliff and down an incline. Tumbling and rolling, he lands on a ledge jutting high above boulder strewn white water. Before he can recover his wits, a snarl penetrates his … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, September 2009
Swamp doves and saloons
Print this articleRed Mountain Mining District, 1891. The fall wind whips down Main Street. Saloon and restaurant windows glow. The smells of coffee, hot bread, cigars and stale beer waft from open windows. A man shouts. Shots echo. In the … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, August 2009
A feast for music-lovers
Print this articleThe Clavier Trio is among the plethora of talent that will be featured at Music in the Mountains 2009 Last year when the Clavier Trio performed at Carnegie Hall to a sold-out house, an usher came back stage … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, July 2009
Fashion show: An exhibit displays New Mexicans’ historic styles
Print this article What’s coming out of the closet? The Land of Enchantment’s best attire, for the exhibit “Fashioning New Mexico.” Why? To celebrate the brand-new New Mexico History Museum, which opened Memorial Day weekend in Santa Fe. And to … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, June 2009
A life’s work: Feela’s poetry book is ‘an atlas of where I’ve been’
Print this article To Montezuma County writer David Feela, poetry bursts with emotion — the kind that explodes from the heart and imagination. “Prose is beer. Poetry is whiskey,” he says. Feela has just brought out his first full-length book … Continue reading
Published in Arts & Entertainment, May 2009
On location: Guymon’s oils show southeastern Utah’s wonders
Print this article“If you’re a retiree and want to learn something wonderful, come learn to paint,” advises Blanding, Utah, painter and art teacher Gary Guymon. He speaks slowly in a phone conversation from his home, but joy fills his voice. … Continue reading
Published in April 2009, Arts & Entertainment