On Thursday, June 17, citizens were invited to enjoy the arts and downtown Fort Morgan in a multitude of ways. The evening began with an art walk throughout local shops, while a mechanical bull and food trucks set up at downtown’s City Park, all followed by a concert by Chicano Heat.
The art walk is put on by the Morgan Community College Center for Arts and Community Enrichment [CACE]. Art walks occur every third Thursday of the month from 4-7 p.m. in downtown Fort Morgan and citizens are invited to view artwork from local and regional artists.
The first stop on the art walk map began at Viaero Wireless and featured photography by Annabel Attridge, then people could head to Zazzy Café for acrylic paintings by Wendi Tucker. The third stop was the City of Fort Morgan Library/Museum for photography by Jennifer Mishra and next was the CACE Gallery of Fine Art for photography by Jeremy Janus.
Upon entering the CACE Fine Art Gallery people were invited to grab waters and snacks as they continued on their walk. The fifth stop was at The Better Sleep Store, where artist Catherine Shull was available to discuss her photography.
Shull is a local of Fort Morgan and enjoys taking pictures as she is out on the road for her consulting business. She had many large works of art available for sale as well as unique postcards.
Artist Theresa Conklin was next on the walk at the Morgan County Economic Development Center, where she had her oil paintings on display. Conklin found out one of her paintings was awarded the Merit Award and the People’s Choice Award at the Loveland Museum Governor’s Art Show, as she was working the art walk.
Conklin had a large print of the original painting present with her to show people as they came through. Originally from Denver, Conklin and her husband moved to the eastern plains to raise their three daughters and Conklin will be the first to tell you she can’t imagine living anywhere else now.
The final stop on the walking tour was at Tangles where artist Carrie Pesek was showing her one-of-a-kind wood burning art. Despite only beginning two Christmas’ ago, Pesek has dived into creating highly detailed works of art.
While the art walk took place, the city was also setting up for Thursday Night Live at Downtown City Park. A mechanical bull and a bounce house were in full swing for kids of all ages to enjoy. There were also a few food trucks offering beverages and snacks for purchase.
As 7 o’clock approached, the park was filled with people on picnic blankets, setting up lawn chairs and claiming tables to watch a live performance by Chicano Heat.
Chicano Heat is known as a high energy band that plays Tejano New Mexico Latin rock. As the band began, people were instantly feeling the rhythm and dancing and singing along.
The band also took a moment early in their set to acknowledge and honor members of the military and first responders in the crowd. There was a little rain that lasted just a few moments but that did not deter the band or the crowd who enjoyed the upbeat Latin music.
The next Thursday Night Live will take place on Thursday, June 24 at 7 p.m. in Downtown City Park with a concert by Lauren Frihauf, who made it to the Knockout Rounds on Season 19 of The Voice.
A sign for the CACE art walk in downtown Fort Morgan outside of the Morgan Community College building at 300 Main Street. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
Inside the Morgan Community College building at 300 Main Street in Fort Morgan with items set up for the CACE art walk. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
A display of photographs by artist Jeremy Janus on display at the Center for Arts & Community Enrichment gallery at 300 Main Street in Fort Morgan. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
Artist Catherine J. Shull discusses pieces of her artwork with citizens partaking in the CACE art walk in downtown Fort Morgan. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
Artwork by artist Catherine J. Shull on display at The Better Sleep Store in downtown Fort Morgan, as a part of the CACE art walk. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
Citizens admire artwork by Theresa Conklin on display at the Morgan County Economic Development Center as a part of the CACE art walk in downtown Fort Morgan. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
Artist Theresa Conklin discusses pieces of her artwork with citizens partaking in the CACE art walk in downtown Fort Morgan. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
Artist Theresa Conklin stands next to one of her paintings that won the 2021 People's Choice Award at the Loveland Museum Governor's Art Show during the CACE art walk in downtown Fort Morgan. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
A man admires artwork by Theresa Conklin on display at the Morgan County Economic Development Center as a part of the CACE art walk in downtown Fort Morgan. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
Artist Carrie Pesek stands next to several pieces of her artwork on display at Tangles, as a part of the CACE art walk in downtown Fort Morgan. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
A girl admires artwork by Wendi Tucker on display at the Zazzy Cafe, as a part of the CACE art walk in downtown Fort Morgan. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
A display of artwork by artist Wendi Tucker on display at the Zazzy Cafe in downtown Fort Morgan for the CACE art walk. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
A girl enjoys the mechanical bull set up for people to use at Downtown City Park in Fort Morgan for Thursday Night Live. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
People enjoy the food trucks set up at Downtown City Park for Thursday Night Live in Fort Morgan. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
A line forms for the mechanical bull in Downtown City Park during Thursday Night Live in Fort Morgan. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
Young Life's tent at Downtown City Park was selling snacks for people to enjoy during Thursday Night Live in Fort Morgan. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
Downtown City Park in Fort Morgan was filled with people enjoying Thursday Night Live, where the city even had a mechanical bull set up. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
Kids enjoy a bounce house and mechanical bull set up for Thursday Night Live in Downtown City Park, Fort Morgan. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
Chicano Heat performs at Downtown City Park in Fort Morgan for Thursday Night Live. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
Chicano Heat performs at Downtown City Park in Fort Morgan for Thursday Night Live. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
Citizens of Fort Morgan gather for a live concert by Chicano Heat at Downtown City Park for Thursday Night Live. (Maegan Olmstead/Fort Morgan Times)
