Very exciting news: The Arts Council now has a website! URL is www.mancosarts.org. I actually did it myself using an app called Weebly. It's pretty idiot-proof, although I had to call Bob Scott a couple of times to actually read the code. Thank you, thank you, Bob. Please check it out, and I want to use it in the very same way I've been using this column - to promote local art & artists, to highlight art venues in our area and try to have some fun doing it. As usual, I am asking my readers to send info, comments and images so I can keep it up to date.

The Market on Market: The Cortez Cultural Center is sponsoring the Artists' Market on Market Street on Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sunday, Sept. 1, 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. at Center's Plaza. This will be two days of art and fun. Vendor inquiries welcome 565-1151. All local artists are urged to participate.

Local artists hit it big: Four local artists (all from Artisans of Mancos) took some honors at a recent show in Ouray.

Three got honorable mention awards: Milt Beens, (oil painting, "Irma J Ranch"), Ginny Getts (oil painting, "Lineback Dun") and Jan Wright (watercolor, "Luminaria Night Magic").

The top prize went to Janice Reich for her gourd mask, "Skywatcher."

Congratulations to all of you. As we've said several times, Mancos is a hotbed of artistic endeavor.

Gallop on over to the Town Gallery: The current show at the Town is titled "The Horse Show," and all the art is of or about horses.

Here are the "horsey" artists: Patricia Burk, Patsy Davis, Ginny Getts, Amy Grogan, Marjorie Kay, Kelly Chilcott, Marilyn Kroeker, Susan Matteson, Janice Reich, Bill Srigley, Stacy Dee Sronce, David Lee Sronce, Mary Wilson, Jan Wright and me!

The range of mediums is everything from bronze sculpture to beaded saddle blanket to photography and beyond. The show will run all summer till after Labor Day weekend!

Rim to Ruins: Twenty-six top American Western artists who painted among the ancient ruins and dramatic landscape of Mesa Verde National Park in May will showcase their paintings and offer them for sale at the Vida Ellison Gallery at the Denver Public Library this fall.

The opening reception and sale is on Oct. 22 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The art will remain on display and for sale from Oct. 21 through Nov. 3.

These formal studio paintings, created with oils, acrylics, pastels and watercolors, were inspired by Mesa Verde National Park. These original works embody the spirit and history of this World Heritage Site.

The event sponsored by Mesa Verde Foundation will benefit Mesa Verde.

For more information, go to mesaverdefoundation.org.

Artfest: The Arts Council is hosting the third annual ArtFest in conjunction with the Mancos Valley/Mesa Verde Country Balloon Festival.

This will be a "street fair" with vendors from all over the Four Corners. It's happening on Saturday, Sept. 28, kicking off at 8:30 a.m. (after you watch your favorite balloonist take off) and will run until 4 p.m.

In the past, we have had furniture makers, jewelers, woodcarvers, creative clothing and more.

Stop by, take a stroll and enjoy a great day in downtown Mancos. The ArtFest will be on Grand Avenue, which will be closed from Mesa to Main for this event.

Rumors (I can't verify at this point) are that in addition to the art, music and other activities will definitely be taking place.

The ArtFest is a fundraiser for the Arts Council, and we appreciate your support!

Put your hands together and rejoice: Live music is happening at The Columbine on Friday night, Aug. 30, featuring Reverend Catfish. The joint will start jumpin' around 8:30 p.m. That's a Grand Summer Night - so take a stroll, eat at one of our fine restaurants, and finish the evening with some great music and a cold one.

The Reverend and his band play some "dirty blues with a rock band sensibility." Sounds like fun and funky to me. They'll also be playing on Saturday night at the Sugar Pine Motorcycle Rally up the road on 184.

Now that we have a gorgeous mural on the side of Mancos Liquors, the "Garden Gang" has swung into full-bore beautification on downtown with lots of flowers and greenery in pots all along our main drags.

Thank Jama Collins and her "Garden Gang" plus the town of Mancos for putting in both money and muscle into this effort. Our new town manager, Andrea Phillips, got right into the spirit with trowel and dirt. Thanks to all of you green-thumb types. We appreciate it!

Contact Dian and let me know what's happening in the arts community. I'd love to publish info about your event, show, concert, play, whatever! Call me at 533-7536 or email dhlaw4367@gmail.com.