Creative Campus Grand Opening, May 18; Astor House Grand Opening, May 25
The arts are taking center stage in Golden with the recent opening of Miners Alley Performing Arts Center in the former Meyer Hardware building. Now, Foothills Art Center (FAC) is poised to unveil its newly renovated downtown historic buildings. With a total investment of $4.2 million, the FAC Creative Campus and Astor House will further solidify Golden as a thriving arts destination.
"The new Foothills Arts Center Astor House and Creative Campus, combined with the new Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, the city's many murals, public art, flower gardens, and Victorian architecture all work to make historic downtown Golden one of the most beautiful and creative arts centers on the Front Range," said Robin Fleischmann with Visit Golden.
"Foothills Art Center has served as Golden's cultural community hub for over 55 years," said Hassan Najjar, executive director of FAC, "And with two distinct locations – one to practice and learn about art and the other to appreciate and display art – we can offer something for everyone in Golden. This project doubles our footprint and allows us to serve our community in a very purpose-driven way."
FAC's new Creative Campus is located at its former sole location on 809 15th Street and once housed the First Presbyterian Church of Golden, dating back to 1872. Now reimagined as a dynamic learning hub, the Creative Campus will feature classrooms, artist studios, and a ceramics studio, opening its doors to the public on May 18, 2024. Come mingle with the Creative Campus Studio Artists, purchase art from Open Studio artists and explore the new ceramics studio from 10 am - 5 pm during its public Open House.
Meanwhile, the historic Astor House, situated at 822 12th St., boasts a rich history dating back to 1867 when it served as a hotel and boarding house in Golden. Saved from demolition in 1972, the Astor House has been redesigned and expanded to serve as FAC's new exhibition and performance space. With a grand opening scheduled for May 25, 2024, the Astor House will feature hands-on galleries, exhibition spaces, a reading room, and offices, along with three decks offering panoramic views of downtown Golden and its surrounding landscapes. Check out the new space and view the three inaugural exhibitions - The 20th Annual Mile High International Pastel Society Exhibition, Moose Cain-Rodenfels: Sjón - A Solar System of Vision, and John Taylor Wagner during the public opening from 10 am - 5pm.