KRCC interview FAC's Sylvester Smith on jazz

Sylvester Smith, known as 'Smitty', is a long-time Fine Arts Center employee and Colorado Springs native who has seen many of the jazz legends from Portraits from the Golden Age of Jazz perform live. He recently shared his memories while touring the FAC MODERN exhibition with KRCC's Kate Dawson. Listen to KRCC's interview (5:56)

Into the Woods is a hit

Mark Arnest of The Gazette writes, "'Into the Woods' shows that the Fine Arts Center is serious about making its theater productions every bit as good as its visual-art presentations. The first production by the Fine Arts Center Theatre Company ... is without a doubt the most ambitious musical theater production in the history of Colorado Springs." Read the full review.

Gottlieb Opening Night video

Portraits from the Golden Age of Jazz: Photographs of William P. Gottlieb opened at the FAC MODERN May 4. The exhibit features 71 photos of giants of jazz captured on film by a rookie photographer in the 1930-40s. New FAC curator Blake Milteer is interviewed for this Opening Night video from Springs Culture Cast:

Gazette: Jazz Visions

In Mark Arnest’s preview of the Gottlieb photography exhibit from May 3, new FAC curator Blake Milteer talked about Gottlieb’s ardent love of jazz, which enabled him to gain his subject’s confidence. “The show is about his close-knit relationship with the performers, before, during, after they were performing,” said Milteer. “They’re not studio shots. They’re reflective of the energy of the performance.”

Into The Woods Interview

Into the Woods, Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece musical, will be performed by the Fine Arts Center Theatre Company at the SaGāJi Theatre May 11 - June 3. This is the FAC’s biggest production yet and features three Broadway actors in an outstanding ensemble cast. This interview features director Alan Osburn discussing the show, rehearsals and what to expect after ‘happily ever after.'

Downtown80903.com launches

Our friends at the Downtown Partnership has launched a new website, called Downtown80903.com, which highlights the benefits of working, living and playing in downtown Colorado Springs. Naturally, visiting the FAC MODERN and Fine Arts Center at 30 W. Dale St. are listed under “Play.”

Independent: Looking Forward

A&E Editor Pete Freedman discusses the state of visual arts in Colorado Springs in an Independent cover story (April 26-May 2). “The Springs' newest visual arts advocates are optimistic about the future,” he writes. “Are they on to something?” FAC’s Dr. Michael De Marsche is quoted and says that with a little vision and confidence Colorado Springs could one day be on par with Seattle or Portland, Ore., when it comes to arts culture.

CSBJ: Separate and nowhere close to equal

The Colorado Springs Business Journal’s John Hazlehurst looks at public funding for the arts in Colorado Springs compared to Denver in this April 27 column. Dave White of the Colorado Springs Economic Development Corp., said that arts & culture plays a major role in attracting new business to the area. “Executives who are coming from L.A. or New York are used to a big, diverse cultural scene — we can’t just sell rock climbing and fly fishing,” he said.

Gazette: New state cash expected to lift Springs tourism

The FAC was mentioned prominently in Bill Radford’s April 18th look at the new money, $19 million, being invested in Colorado tourism. Terry Sullivan, Experience Colorado Springs’ CEO said, “The Fine Arts Center will become a world-class asset to this community.”

Independent: FAC is best cultural attraction

In the 2007 Independent’s Annual Manual: A Guide to Living in the Springs, the FAC is listed in the “Best of Attractions” section as the Cultural Attraction or Museum to visit. Did you know that the Indy has named FAC this city’s “Best Cultural Attraction” in 2005 and 2006?

Gazette: Building Blocks

The local chapter of the American Institute of Architects has named the FAC as one of the 20 greatest structures in the Pikes Peak Region. "This building won architect John Gaw Meem the coveted Pan American Prize of Architecture in 1940 by fusing art deco and traditional New Mexican Pueblo architecture. "