The Sunflower Theatre, nearly five years in the making, was a flurry of activity last week as crews put the finishing touches on the venue in downtown Cortez.
The theater opened unofficially last weekend at Main and Market streets with a private piano recital, marking the end of a $1.5 million historical renovation project spearheaded by KSJD Community Radio.
“Our hope was and is to build a hub of activity for the arts, culture and media,” said Katrina Roberts, president of the board of directors of KSJD and the theater. “With tremendous local support, we were able to leverage outside resources and complete the capital campaign.”
The theater opens with singer/songwriter Dan Bern with the Carl Johnson Trio on Sunday, Feb. 15, followed by the Montezuma-Cortez High School Improv on Feb. 18. The short film “Greening the Desert” is scheduled for Jan. 31.
The addition of a theater will hopefully bring more people into downtown Cortez, said Jeff Pope, executive director of the theater and KSJD. He added that he hopes to broadcast live performances over KSJD radio.
“Our work is to inform, entertain and empower the community,” he said.
If the theater books at least 36 shows a year, it would bring $80,000 downtown, according to Pope.
The building, which was funded with state historical fund grants and about 10 percent in local donations, has been many things over the years – bakery, offices and a clothing stores.
In its next life, it will be an intimate venue for the arts, with 91 seats on the main floor and 28 in the balcony. The sound system is designed to be an intimate listening room. A bar is available, and tables can be used for special events. The Sunflower Theatre also plans to rent to individuals and organizations that are producing their own activities.
Though it shares the same building and parent organization with KSJD radio, the theater operates as a stand-alone entity, supported by patrons, local businesses and ticket sales.
“It’s an exciting time to be on Main Street in Cortez and in Southwest Colorado,” Pope said. “There’s lots of energy around enhancing the quality of life in the community — everything from the Heart and Soul Project and downtown beautification, to educating our kids and taking care of our neighbors. We’re grateful to be part of it all.”
Gabe Thompson, of Kennebec Construction, was happy to see its completion.
“It’s been fun,” Thompson said. “The fun part is, I don’t get the opportunity to remodel a 100-year-old building very often.”
Thompson said workers left the original tin ceiling, taking every tile down and cleaning them by hand.
Workers even found some remnants from workers years ago.
“We found some old papers and remnants of other workers, tools, coveralls and an old can of chew,” Thompson said.
For more information, visit www.sunflowertheatre.org.