​ Welcome to Artisans of Mancos
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF CREATIVITY
​

WINTER GALLERY HOURS - Sept-Memorial Day
Sunday & Monday - 10am to 5pm
Tuesday to Saturday - 9am to 5pm

Artisans of Mancos opened the doors of their co-op endeavor on May 30, 2003. The group, offering an eclectic display of artistic talent, located their gallery in the glass block front building at 114 Grand Avenue. The concept for the co-op came from Conn Marsden, then a member of the Mancos Chamber of Commerce. With encouragement from the Chamber, Marsden began to contact local artisans and first talked to Marilyn Kroeker and Barbara Hackett. The gallery began as an experiment, open to the public that first summer to gauge its acceptance, but with continued success the group decided to stay open through the winter. The Chamber agreed to pick up the utilities, but were promptly reimbursed because the new endeavor was not only accepted by locals and tourists alike but also proved financially stable.
 
The concept was to encourage two of each creative type to participate—2 photographers, 2 artists/oils, 2 woodworkers/carvers, 2 sculptors, 2 jewelry/gemstones, 2 potters/various, etc. With encouragement and backing from the Chamber, local artists greeted the idea of such a gallery with enthusiasm. The original three artists were soon joined by other artisans willing to put together a format for the operation of the Artisans of Mancos. After a successful year in the Krajack building, the Artisans of Mancos had the opportunity to move across the street into the beautiful restored Bauer Bank Building on the corner of Main and Grand. The main floor of the building was much larger, and the wide east and north windows lightened the area and brightened the various displays.
 
Today, after 20 years in operation, the Artisans of Mancos have a continuing list of creative talent wishing to participate in the gallery. The co-op is unique in that it takes no percentage of any artist member’s sales. The only thing a member is responsible for is a small monthly dues fee, and a requirement to work at least a half day each week in the gallery, a chore most of the artists have enjoyed. There are no employees; the artists are in charge and monthly meetings with various officers elected and committees formed have resulted in a stable and thriving operation. Applicants to the co-op must first present their work to a membership committee, then if considered a good “fit” the applicant is invited to attend a monthly meeting where the existing members take a vote and if voted in, the applicant is welcomed as a gallery member and given an assigned area.
 

 
Current members are: Alex Bond – woodworking, Cindy Coleman – pastels, Peter Eppard – woodworking/furniture, Allysia Edwards – sterling silver jewelry, Deborah Gentilini – copper jewelry, Caroline Golarz – oil/woodburning, Amy Grogran – printmaking, Jay Johnson – stained glass, Bonnie Loving – metal art, Janice Reich – gourd art, John Reimers – woodworking/contemporary design, Rob Reiter – leatherwork, Mary Rodman – mosaics, Ann Sciba – ceramics, Dana Senge – sculpture, Stephanie Stuckman – photography, Anne Worthington – fiber art, Jan Wright – watercolor, and Dick Young – stained glass.