Steamboat Springs’ First Friday Artwalk on June 5 will feature new exhibitions and local artists across downtown galleries from 5 to 8 p.m. At The Alley Gallery and Art Studios, longtime Yampa Valley artist Mary Beth Galer will be showcased as the June guest artist, displaying layered paintings and collages inspired by natural forms, landscapes, and wildlife. Meanwhile, Steamboat Art Museum will host the Oil Painters of America’s 35th National Exhibition, a juried show selected from about 1,800 submissions featuring 215 works, including pieces by 24 Colorado artists and Steamboat Springs painter Chula Beauregard.
This event matters because it highlights the vitality of regional art scenes and provides a platform for both local and national artists to connect with the public. The inclusion of a major national juried exhibition like the Oil Painters of America’s show underscores the cultural reach of small-city artwalks, fostering community engagement and supporting the visibility of representational oil painting in contemporary art.