The First Thursday Telluride Art Walk takes place tonight, with galleries in downtown Telluride joining together for a cultural celebration and staying open “late ’til 8.”  Sponsored by the Telluride Council for the Arts and Humanities, the Art Walk is a daylong showcase of our local fine arts scene, galleries, studios and arts organizations. Many venues hold opening receptions for artists from 5-8 p.m., where you may meet the artist, and snack on complimentary food and beverages. Free Art Walk brochures, available at any participating venue (as well as hotels and coffeehouses), offer a self-guided tour of the participating establishments. Participating galleries include East Meets West, Stronghouse Studio Gallery, The Telluride Gallery of Fine Arts, Lustre Gallery, Dolce Jewelry, the Ah Haa School and the Schilling Studio Gallery.

Tonight, ArtWalk/TCAH offers two walking tours, each one hour in length, leaving from Stronghouse Galleries (283 So. Fir St.) at 5:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

July 2 Art Walk – Artists and Venues 

Stronghouse Studios, 283 So. Fir St: The Way I See It, featuring paintings, photography and furnishings by Jeffrey Schafer. 

East Meets West (in Mountain Village): a treasure trove of Eastern and Western art and accessories.

Schilling Studio Gallery, 151 S. Pine: Showcasing New Artists: Diana Woods, a contemplative artist who works in an experimental manner, using wood as a painting surface, incorporating everything from paint to metals, glass, bees wax, pumice, screen and found objects to create layer upon layer of texture and luminous color; Sueno’s Mary Liekefet, furniture from reclaimed wood barns in Brazil; lighting in organic wood shapes; carpets woven by Mexican artisans using ancient techniques, natural dyes and local wool, all customizable; Carolina Reeves Johnson, who aims to “allow a viewer to find his or her own space” inside of her new works.

Dolce Jewels, 226 W. Colorado: A unique collection of jewelry and artworkis housed at this fine gallery on Main Street.

Lustre, an Artisan Gallery, 171 S. Pine: Two trunk shows, including Aaron Furlong, in-house during ArtWalk, whose Aaron Henry Designs Trunk Show shows Thursday from 5-7 p.m., and again Saturday, July 4, 4-6 p.m. Jewelers Quarterly named Furlong, known for innovative jewelry and design techniques that are combined with inspiration from natural colors and shapes to create finished pieces that are versatile, precious, sophisticated and collectable, named a “Designer of the 21st century.”

The Todd Reed Trunk Show, wrapping up Monday, July 6, shows jewelry featuring rough, colored and polished diamonds set in 18k gold and silver.

At Telluride Gallery of Fine Art, 130 E. Colorado Ave.: The solo exhibition of new paintings by legendary illustrator Mark English, the most-awarded artist in the history of the Society of Illustrators, whose unique and recognizable style and versatility have served him both as illustrator and fine artist.

Ah Haa School for the Arts, 300 So. Townsend: –The Ah Haa- Inspired Exhibit runs through July 10. Experience the work from artists that have contributed to the spirit of the Ah Haa since its inception, 19 years ago. The East Gallery features the photographic work of Brad Foley.