Peer Assistance Network
Promoting the Arts as Economic Development in Bent County

Kiowa, Bent, Baca and Crowley Counties are in southeast Colorado, where it's often said that there are “more antelope than people.” But folks there have the same big aspirations as people anywhere. Each of these counties has a visual arts guild, and for the past couple of years, economic developers have helped them work together, sharing expertise, talents, ideas and resources.

A regional tourism group - the Arkansas Valley Area Marketing Coalition - has been taking root in southeast Colorado. Kathryn Finau heads the Bent County economic development efforts, and she says: “I saw a great fit between our tourism development efforts and what the arts guilds wanted to do. I heard about the CCA's Peer Assistance Network, so I asked the guilds how the PAN could help. They wanted marketing assistance. We're so isolated, we don't know how to price our work to the market. Or to let visitors know that professional artists exist here.”

They selected husband-wife PAN team Deb Thornton and Dan Wecks from Manitou Springs. Deborah's work as Executive Director of the Imagination Celebration in Colorado Springs has given her lots of firsthand experience in the towns in eastern Colorado, and Dan was Executive Director of the Business of Art Center. Seemed like a perfect fit.

Ninteen people came from all four counties, including the towns of Cheyenne Wells, Eads, McClave, Walsh, Springfield, Las Animas and La Junta. Attending were gallery owners as well as artists. The artists ranged in age from 16 years old to over 80 with experience in variety of media; woodcarved santos, watercolors, caricatures, oils, pastels, photography, graphics and quilting.

They brainstormed venues for selling art within their region that they'd never considered before, as well as methods of reaching outside of their region. Deb and Dan discussed pricing and the elements that must go into identifying a price, including market and location. They talked about how best to work with a gallery. They talked about inexpensive ways for artists to market, via website or independently, as well as how to submit work for juried shows. They facilitated a conversation about how an artist establishes and uses their reputation. They provided internet resources as well as books discussing how an artist can figure out where buyers of their artistic style are, and how to reach them.

Gallery owners as well as artists had positive feedback of this experience. Typical was the comment of Gloria Jean, of the Ports to Plains Art Gallery in Springfield. "It was a great and very informative event. I went away with all the information I need. Thanks,"

On December 10, 2005, the Old Trail Gallery in Las Animas – representing a partnership between Bent County Economic Development, the Pioneer Historical Society, and the Art Guild - held a grand opening with huge success. Barbara Busey, president of the Bent County Art Guild, stated that approximately 120 people visited the new gallery.

“We can already see the results of this PAN session,” said Kathryn Finau. “Stop in and visit, and see for yourselves!”