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Cultural Commission
The Cultural Commission works to promote culture and the arts, to oversee public art, and to provide art enrichment opportunities to benefit the residents of the City.
The active group of volunteers who serve on the Commission recognize and facilitate the arts in the community. They do this through annual and bi-annual programs and through welcoming new ideas of individual members and the Wheat Ridge Community.
Stay up to date by following us on the Cultural Events Facebook Page or signing up for email updates here.
Calling Artists for New Public Art Project on Wadsworth Blvd.
The City of Wheat Ridge and the Wheat Ridge Cultural Commission seek to commission public art to enhance major improvements for Wadsworth Boulevard, from Interstate 70 to 35th Avenue in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. A total of $475,000 is available for various sites along the project site. These projects are open to all qualified artists residing in the U.S.; however, preference will be given for artists who reside in Colorado or neighboring states. Read more and apply. Application deadline is April 1, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.
Get involved
The commission is always looking for feedback from the community. We want to stay in touch with you!
- Email us at [email protected] with any questions, feedback or suggestions.
- Sign up to be notified of any changes on this page or special events.
- Follow us on Facebook here.
- Apply to sit on the commission
- Meetings are done via video conferencing and are open to the public. Sign up for notifications.
Commission Details
- Meetings are held via video conferencing on the second Wednesday of every month
- Access meeting agendas and past meeting minutes
- Read about the Wheat Ridge Cultural Vision 2018
- Approved Resolution 2018
Members
- Celia Daly - District I Representative
- Kathleen Martell - District I Representative
- Vacant - District II Representative
- Beth Kelley - District II Representative
- Kathy Plummer - District III Representative
- Teresa Linder - District III Representative
- Maria Garcia - District IV Representative
- Lindsay Burney - District IV Representative
- Nancy Dragani - At Large
- Susan Anderson - City Staff Liaison
Past Programs
Arts Drop Looking to expand your art portfolio while supporting local artists? During this program art is dropped in secret locations around town and hints to their location are posted on the Cultural Commission’s Facebook page. The first to find the piece gets to take it home!
The program typically runs once in the summer and once in early winter.
Recreation Center Mural Contest
In 2022, the Cultural Commission has partnered with the City to launch the Wheat Ridge Mural Contest. The program is searching for six youth and seven adult muralists to brighten up the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center with works that reflect our community's values. This year the theme is "In This Together" for adult submissions and "Nature and Advocacy for our Planet" for youth.
Mural painting is expected to begin in March 2022.
Ridgefest
The Cultural Commission often sponsors a booth, live painting and other art-related events during Ridgefest. Most recently, the Commission sponsored Chalk Artists during Ridgefest 2017 and 2018
Carnation Festival Plates
In 2019, 2020 and 2021 the Cultural Commission collaborated with the Carnation Festival Committee in putting out a call for artists to design their festival plates. Artwork was submitted to the Cultural Commission and the Commission recommended their top three choices to the festival committee who made the ultimate decision.
Performances in the Park
Every summer, the City of Wheat Ridge puts on free concerts in Anderson Park. The Cultural Commission sponsored artists in 2020 (17th Avenue All Stars), 2021 and 2022 (FACE Vocal Band).
ChalkFest/Chalk of the Town
In collaboration with Localworks, the Commission sponsors local chalk artists in creating one of a kind pieces all around Wheat Ridge.
Wheaties Mural Project (Greetings From Wheat Ridge)
In 2018, the Commission collaborated with the Wheaties Academy to produce a piece of temporary public art. The piece, Greetings from Wheat Ridge, was installed in Anderson Park in the summer of 2018. See the slideshow here.
Wheat Ridge Poet in Residence
In December of 2018, Sharon Heinlen was selected by the Wheat Ridge Cultural Commission as the first Wheat Ridge Poet in Residence, which holds a two-year term. The selection was part of the celebrations planned for the City’s 50th Anniversary in 2019. Heinlen created original works of poetry for the City and conducted poetry education programs at Wheat Ridge schools in 2020.
"Sweet Grass Dance", Anderson Park, Poem
50th Anniversary, Tree City USA, Poem
Other Special Projects
Greetings from Wheat Ridge Campaign
See the "Greetings From Wheat Ridge" slideshow here.
50th Anniversary Signature Quilt
The “Many Colors of Wheat Ridge” signature quilt was created by Cultural Commissioner Milly Nadler in celebration of the City’s 50th Anniversary. Signatures include those of community members and City leaders.