Editor’s note: The Ouray County Plaindealer is continuing its tradition of featuring nonprofit organizations based in Ouray County, serving Ouray County in a series of profiles called Season of Sharing. The purpose is to highlight the meaningful work these organizations perform and let the community know how they can help them even more, as the holidays approach and we reach the end of 2025. Look for these profiles published weekly from now until Dec. 31. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of nonprofit organizations in Ouray County.
Year established as a nonprofit: 2004
What does your organization do for Ouray County?
For 21 years, Weehawken Creative Arts has been a driving force for creativity, connection and community in Ouray County. The organization’s reach is far broader than dance classes, visual art workshops, youth theater, 610 Arts Collective gallery and community events it offers. Weehawken provides high-quality arts education for children and adults year-round, offering hundreds of classes across Ouray County.
Weehawken also offers art classes to adults and after-school programs to youth, as well as summer workshops, dance, aerial and karate classes and performance opportunities that build confidence, discipline and joy.
Weehawken also helps power cultural life here. The organization co-hosts beloved community events such as the Ridgway Rendezvous Art & Craft Festival, the Fête de la Musique and the Ridgway 1K Rally Through the Alley & San Juan Barrel Fest. These events bring thousands of people together, support local artists and help boost the local economy.
Weehawken is also a committed partner to local organizations, schools and nonprofits, sharing resources and offering accessible programming regardless of income. Scholarships, work-trade opportunities and free community events ensure that creativity remains open and available to all. Weehawken helps Ouray County thrive by making the arts a vibrant part of everyday life!
What do you list as your greatest accomplishments in 2025?
In 2025, Weehawken Creative Arts produced six “Wizard of Oz” performances in May. Our year-round dance, aerial and visual arts programs continued to grow, engaging hundreds of students across the region. We also made major progress on the “Key to the Future” project at 145 and 147 N. Cora, moving renovations forward to create an expanded “community arts campus” in Ridgway. At the 610 Arts Collective, we celebrated a standout year of exhibitions, supporting and showcasing more than 100 local and regional artists.
What are some goals or projects you have planned for 2026?
In 2026, Weehawken will focus on long-range planning for our growing Ridgway campus at 145 and 147 North Cora St., and the adjacent land behind these buildings, in partnership with the Ridgway Chautauqua/Sherbino. A major priority is completing renovations at 147 Cora to expand the classroom and rehearsal spaces we own and operate, to create a stable home for youth and adult programs for decades to come. We will continue working alongside the Wright Opera House to offer arts programs in Ouray, as well as maintain our 12+ year commitment to aerial arts programming, which began in Ouray in 2012.
Planning for future expansion on the properties surrounding our Ridgway campus will also be a significant focus.
Weehawken will continue providing exceptional arts education in both communities, with renewed efforts to strengthen youth theater led by teachers Erin Cawley and Heather Nicolson. We also expect to expand exhibitions and artist opportunities at the 610 Arts Collective.
In addition, Weehawken Dance will produce two major productions in 2026 (“Cinderella” in May and “The Nutcracker” in December) bringing hundreds of young dancers to the Montrose Pavilion stage. We remain committed to presenting beloved community events, including Fête de la Musique, the Ridgway 1K, San Juan Barrel Fest and the Ridgway Rendezvous.
Tell us how the community can help you do more here in Ouray County.
Weehawken thrives because of community support, and there are several ways people can help us do even more in Ouray County. Our biggest need in 2026 is support for our “Key to the Future” capital project at 145 and 147 North Cora, where we are renovating and expanding classroom and rehearsal spaces.
Contributions of any size help move this project forward. We also welcome volunteers, especially for gallery help and most special events. Learn more and sign up at sherbino.org.
As we prepare new spaces for community use, we anticipate needing skilled labor throughout the year, including carpentry, finish work, electrical and general construction support. Discounted or in-kind services are incredibly valuable and deeply appreciated as we work to ready these spaces for youth and adults.
To get involved or ask questions, community members can email questions@weehawkenarts.org. Every hour volunteered and every dollar or service donated helps us expand arts education, youth programming and community events that make Ouray County such a vibrant and creative place to live.
Thank you to Ashley King-Grambley for providing this information.
