The Castle Rock Artist Alliance (CRAA) was founded in 2019. In recent years it has blossomed from 21 member artists to more than 100 today. Artists are comprised of film makers, musicians, dancers, painters, sculptures, jewelry makers, photographers and more.

This nonprofit serves to celebrate the arts and to be a sanctuary for artistic community, learning, teaching and mentoring.

John Neumeier, whose artistic talent is landscape, seascape and animal oil paintings, has been the president of CRAA for the past six years. “We are very well rounded in the arts,” he said. The board consists of business-minded individuals and mostly artists as well. They love the vibrant Castle Rock community.”

If you look, you will find art hiding in plain sight. The mural on the south exterior wall of Union An American Bistro was painted as part of a CRAA effort. Throughout the restaurant, local art fills the walls in lieu of décor. Sinners & Saints and COFF33 also display CRAA art and are tremendous supporters of the alliance.

Paul Price is the executive director and founder. With a background as a surgical practitioner and educator, and through his work with veterans during the Iraq War, Paul found art therapy to be a highly effective method to treat traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. “When we started CRAA, I wanted to continue that. It has since grown into a program that also includes first responders and medical personnel,” Paul offered.

Routinely, CRAA offers free art therapy to veterans and provides similar classes to first responders where the entire family can take part – kids have kid time and parents get together time.

Recently, the group started an outreach program at AdventHealth Castle Rock. Medical personnel can participate in classes two to three times each month. In March 2027, an art show will feature art from these classes displayed in the hospital’s gallery. A portion of proceeds will support CRAA.

Younger artists, by way of school connections, can join one-on-one with background-checked members to grow their craft, as a way to mentor and inspire the next generation of artists.

Other CRAA community events take place regularly. For example, this past June, Battle of the Brushes was held at COFF33. This painting face-off featured audience members joining the amusement by making donations to create fun challenges for the painters, like having an artist tie his arm behind his back.

The biggest event each year is in April. The annual film festival at Sinners & Saints brings the community together. A Friday night midnight horror movie is followed by two days of films from all over the world. VIP Night welcomes city officials with a red carpet and live interviews. High schoolers are regularly part of making this event happen through volunteer efforts.

Strictly donation based, there is no office and no administration fees to run CRAA. “We keep it stripped down,” shared John. The group pays its instructors for classes and supply costs through annual donations. They are grateful to community partners who host events, hang or display art, and are otherwise vested in a thriving art community in Castle Rock.

“We are for the good of art in Castle Rock and all the people we take care of,” concluded John.

To learn more, visit castlerockartistalliance.com. Complete the “Contact us” form and John or another board member will be in touch.

 

 

By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Hunter Burns and Terri Wiebold