Editor:
The news regarding the financial situation of the Cortez Cultural Center was very disheartening. I am a relative newcomer to Montezuma County, and besides the beautiful landscape, extraordinary amount of sunshine, the bright and educated people, one of the major attractants to the area was the Cultural Center and the events and activities that it brings to our area.
I think one of the greatest strengths of the Cultural Center is the variety of cultural events that it has sponsored over the past two years that I lived here. To name just a few:
The art exhibitions that bring into Cortez some very fine art. This is huge for such a small town to have art coming in from all over the Southwest and enriching our lives. The Center also makes time annually to showcase artwork by our local youth. It is important to retain this possibility right here in town, because, here, we feel more ownership.
The many festivals (craft shows, birding festival, etc.) and events (Sweetheart Ball, Pueblo to Pueblo Run, etc.) that the Center sponsors provide social opportunities for us to enjoy as a family and opportunities to showcase our avocations and interests.
The classes that bring personal growth and development to the community, such as yoga, fly- tying workshop, Writing Your Life Story and others that have had major impact on participants.
The summer dance programs (including Black Shawl) that attract national as well as international visitors. These visitors come to our area and give our community a taste of the world and they carry away very positive memories of our talent and hospitality.
This is just to name a few of the reasons that I believe that the Cortez Cultural Center is really the heart and soul of Cortez. The loss of this institution would be a travesty and would leave us as citizens without a cultural center, creating one more reason why folks in town will always feel the need to get out of town and those passing through will do just that, pass through.
Linda Rose
Mancos
Via CortezJournal.com
