Boulder's local artists have a new venue to showcase their creative efforts: the city's recreation centers. The City of Boulder issued an open call for artists to submit their works for a 2026 exhibition. Painters, photographers, and mixed media artists alike are welcome to apply for the program, which aims to integrate vibrant art into the fabric of community spaces.
Art displayed in the North Boulder Recreation Center, East Boulder Community Center, or South Boulder Recreation Center provides a backdrop to the hundreds of visitors who pass through daily for fitness and fellowship. Talents selected by the Boulder Parks and Recreation Department will not only get their work seen, but also have the chance to sell it. Paintings and photos, among works in other media, are set to grace these walls for a minimum of one month.
As obtained by the City of Boulder, Parks and Recreation Director Ali Rhodes spoke on the initiative, “This program celebrates Boulder’s creative spirit by connecting local artists with the community in everyday spaces.” Rhodes expressed the belief that flourishing arts within recreational areas can spark joy, conversation, and imagination among community members.
Submissions for the exhibition opened on September 17 and will continue to be accepted through October 8. A selection committee will undertake the task of reviewing applications based primarily on the connection they hold to the community and the feasibility and creativity of the proposed works. With the selection process underway, anticipation grows among artists, notified by October 31, should they be chosen, with the hopes of having their work featured in the spaces designed for community communion.
