We hope you enjoy this current issue of CC. It’s been nicknamed the “art edition” although it is not strictly about art or artists. June is the month Salida celebrates its annual ArtWalk, an opportunity for area artists to show their stuff and shake off the winter doldrums. Now in it’s 17th year, the event features receptions, workshops, music and other activities for locals and visitors alike.
In keeping with the arts theme we’ve included an interview with two of Salida’s foremost artists, Mel and Bea Strawn, and their fascinating story. Both are known nationally for their work, are active in the local arts community, and showing no signs of letting up.
We also decided to dip our toes into the controversy over the artists who would like to do their next project here in our region, Christo and Jeanne-Claude. We specifically chose not to discuss their proposed Over the River project, instead focusing on the work they have come to be known for worldwide. Author Keith Howard of Denver provided the two articles including research on an early Christo project attempted near Rifle, Colorado – Valley Curtain – which opponents of the current project cite as one of the reasons for their opposition.
Also premiering in this edition is the first installment of our Q and A Section, and we are pleased to have, as our first interviewee, President Thomas Jefferson (Clay Jenkinson), who was kind enough to provide answers to question we felt were relevant for the times.
Martha Quillen weighs in on our dwindling interpersonal communication skills in the first part of the new century in her installment of Quillen’s Corner.
Of course, the Nestlé Waters extraction issue continues to dominate the news here in Chaffee County. John Orr provides the latest update on the project on page 20 in his water column.
This month’s calendar is so packed with June events we had to shrink the type size just to accommodate all the activities, so on behalf of all of those over 50 (including myself), our apologies.
As we head into summer we thought it would be helpful to provide a guide to farmers markets in the region. When we began researching them we figured there were two or three at most but we found at least six communities in the region offering outdoor markets with regional produce and other goods – a welcome relief from big box-store shopping.
Of course we have our talented monthly essayists, book reviews, a high-altitude gardening column, and other contributions we hope you will enjoy.
Lastly, we wanted to thank all those who have written, dropped a note, or just mentioned in passing on the street their support for the “new” Colorado Central Magazine.
Mike Rosso – Editor
