When creative minds come together, transformation happens. Through a series of conversations about meeting the needs of the emerging artists in Durango, Velinda Gibbs, Founder of the Butterfly Collective, Sarah House, Outreach Chair of The ArtRoom, and Heather Leavitt Martinez, visual arts coach, shared a vision and found a common theme: Transformation. Which became the name of a contest with cash prizes, an accompanying art exhibit, and a workshop to prepare artists to talk and write about their work.

The mission of Create Art and Tea is to represent and promote the Creative Spirit that lives in us all, and to honor our connection to inspiration and creativity. Which aligns well with Gibbs’ vision to help artists reach their full creative potential. Both active members of The ArtRoom Collective, House just opened her show of paintings at the Recess Gallery at Studio &, and Martinez teaches classes and coaches artists to live their best art life.

In preparation for the exhibition, Martinez will offer a free workshop, for artists ages 15-30 planning to enter the contest, to transform how to talk and write about their art. Open to other ages for a fee, the workshop will be held Tuesday, March 7, 5:30–7:00 pm at Create Art and Tea.

The deadline for art drop-off to Sarah at The ArtRoom is March 21. The exhibition will be on display from March 30 through April 2 at Create Art and Tea. For more information visit: https://www.butterflyartistcollective.com/contests.