TELLURIDE – Are you looking for an interesting and fun activity that won’t (necessarily) cost any money? The First Thursday Telluride Art Walk kicks off its 2009 season tonight, Jan. 8, with galleries in downtown staying open “late ‘til 8”.  Stroll from gallery to gallery and enjoy amazing artwork and refreshments. You might even discover a new, favorite artist or find a masterpiece that you just can’t live without.

Sponsored by the Telluride Council for the Arts and Humanities, Art Walk is a day-long showcase of Telluride’s fine arts scene that takes place on the first Thursday of each month. The event, which began two years ago, includes galleries located in and around Colorado Avenue, all within walking distance of one another.  Stop by après ski or on your way to dinner and add a little art to your life. Many venues use the occasion to hold artists' opening receptions from 5-8 pm, allowing visitors to meet the featured artist while enjoying complimentary food and beverages. Tonight’s event is no exception.

East Meets West gallery (240 E. Pacific) will highlight painter Mike Simpson. A true "cowboy," Simpson has lived his whole life working on some of the West’s largest ranches, including a stint as a leasing agent on the Crow Reservation. His current watercolor and oil paintings are beautiful representations of San Miguel County.    

Schilling Studio Gallery (151 S. Pine) will introduce Telluride to the sculptures of John Helton. Artist/owner Amy Schilling will also feature her own jewelry, as well as work by Jeff Scher, Nina Tichava, Reem, Hunter Hogan, Jeri Moore, Michi, and Michelle Montague.

Just next store, Lustre (171 S. Pine) will be hosting a trunk show with jewelry from Aaron Henry Designs, including pieces from his embrace, arbor, seasons and celebrations collections.  Visit for more information on that featured line. 

Dolce (226 W. Colorado) is exhibiting a special series of origami horses cast in high polish stainless steel by Kevin Box, as well as hand carved antelope antlers with cast 18k yellow gold carved tips by Katey Brunini. In jewelry, Dolce is offering brand new American-made rough diamond and black diamond selections.

Down the street, Telluride Gallery of Fine Art (130 E. Colorado) will showcase long time local Stephen Cieciuch’s original pastels and photographs, which are being exhibited to the public for the first time. The gallery is also featuring a new collection by Barbara Heinrich – a studio jeweler, goldsmith and gemologist.

Finally, TCAH’s Stronghouse Studios (283 S. Fir) hosts an opening reception for Amy Jean Boebel’s Seventeen Scrolls of Screen from 5 to 8 p.m. A newcomer to Telluride, Boebel’s work has evolved over the years from bronze casting and welding to neon and glass.  “Currently I enjoy manipulating common objects, adding movement, shapes and shadows,” she says. Her pieces make use of clothespins, wooden blocks and baling wire, encouraging them to float or move. Seventeen Scrolls of Screen features sculptures created from wire screen, pushing the limits of the material. 

Free Art Walk brochures, available at participating venues, hotels and coffee shops, offer a self-guided map of tonight’s event. For more information about Art Walk, visit the TCAH website at .