The Mancos Valley is home to many artists and craftsmen, all with a wealth of knowledge and talent.
Mancos will harness that talent and knowledge with the opening of Mancos School of the West, which will start offering classes in March, taught by local artists and craftsmen, mostly from their studios.
Learn from some of the best in Mancos Valley in their respective trades. Fifteen different artisans have signed up to teach community classes through the Mancos School of the West.
"This idea has been thrown out a lot about a school, and now it is finally happening," said coordinator Brian Killigrew.
Linda Rose, a local art teacher, how help you write your life story during a class offered starting March 9 or from Rose how to weave in classes offered March 7 and March 14.
Veryl Goodnight will teach plein air painting.
Steve Williams will teach blacksmithing in a class March 14-15. Learn how to create a sketchbook, how to string necklaces, how to make a decorative bowl gourd and how to play the Native Indian flute.
A full list of classes and how to register can be seen at www.schoolofthewest.org or on the school's Facebook page, facebook.com/schoolofthewest.
Most classes will be taught in the artists' studios. Fees vary depending on classes. For example, a two-day weaving class costs $45, and lunch is included. The Writing Your Life class is taught in four 1½-hour sessions, starting March 9, and costs $60.
"I think the best way to learn from an artist is in their studio," Killigrew said. "I've learned almost as much just by watching an artist work in their environment. It is so different than a sterile classroom."
Killigrew said the idea of the school is to have a hands-on learning experience inside a creative learning environment.
"This is incredible. You can't get this type of learning experience for this price," Killigrew said.
The idea for the Mancos School of the West was brought up by Diane Law and Betsy Harrison. Mancos is in the running to be a Creative District through the Colorado Creative Industries, a division of the State of Colorado Office of Economic Development.
"There are classes for everyone," Killigrew said.
Killigrew is eager to get students signed up for the classes.
"I think it's a wonderful thing for the Mancos Valley and the surrounding area," Rose said.
Rose said she has always enjoyed teaching the Writing Your Life Story class.
"People are like snow flakes, every one is unique from one another," she said. "We should all learn to pass our story along."
Killigrew said the school will offer classes yearlong. Classes run from short classes, such as a three-hour painting class to classes lasting three months.
Thousands of people have seen Jan Wright's artwork when it hangs at Mesa Verde National Park.
Wright, who is known for her watercolor paintings of local cliff dwellings, has been the featured artist and the artist in residence at Mesa Verde National Park.
She will share some of her secrets in painting classes she's offering on March 18 and March 26-29.
Wright said the secret to her brilliant watercolors is layering.
"I do a lot of layering and know what colors to use with out them turning to mud," she said. "I like capturing the spirit of things in my paintings."
Wright will teach for two days in her studio and on the last day, travel to Mesa Verde to paint dwellings outside.
"To be able to tap into the local talents and gifts our residents have is amazing," Wright said. "And to be able to see how artists live and work, this will put Mancos on the map."