Local artist offers oil painting class

Anthony Archuleta’s vision is to promote the arts in Monument and he is succeeding in doing just that with the formation of the Monument Arts Association.

Several artists, galleries and local merchants have come together recently to network and work together with the shared vision of bringing people into the area to enjoy what the Tri-Lakes art community has to offer.

“Our goal is to expand the arts in the community and it’s not just limited to the visual arts,” said Archuleta, owner of Secret Window Fine Art Gallery and Floral Studio. “We want the Tri-Lakes area to be known as an art destination.”

People all ready frequent the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts in Palmer Lake and Archuleta said TLCA Executive Director Dr. Michael Maddox shares in his vision of making the whole Tri-Lakes community a destination for the arts.

As part of his vision Archuleta has recently started art classes at his studio, where he gives people the experience of painting with oils. For only $58 the students come into the studio where they will find a canvas and all the oil paints and brushes waiting for them.

“I walk them through a finished oil painting in two hours. They are treated like real artists,” Archuleta said, adding that word of his classes has been spreading by word of mouth and he has already had local residents and those who live in Colorado Springs and Denver participate in his classes.

“I will grab their hand and give them that feel of what the paint feels like on the canvass,” he said.

Archuleta wants to educate people on the arts and also hosts lectures at his studio. More recently there have been events and art shows hosted at Bella Art and Frame and Purple Mountain Jewelry. Additionally, Secret Window just received the 2012 Glass Slipper Ball People’s Choice Award for the creativity they bring to their unique floral arrangements.

The MAA will soon be starting an art night on the second Friday of each month. Archuleta chose Friday nights because it will be easier for people who live in Castle Rock, Denver, Colorado Springs and surrounding areas to attend. That night will go beyond just Monument and include artists in Woodmoor and Palmer Lake as well.