Media Contact:

Michelle Ellis, michelle@ellis-comms.com, 303-324-6058

Ruth Scott, director@governorsartshow.org, 970-670-0035

Media Kit: bit.ly/GovernorsArtShowPressKit

Colorado Governor’s Art Show & Sale Introduces Governor’s Legacy Art Award for 35th Anniversary and America 250 Colorado 150

Governor Jared Polis to present the special one-time award at the Opening Night Gala on Friday, April 24, 2026

LOVELAND, Colo. (April 14, 2026) – In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th anniversary in 2026, the Colorado Governor’s Art Show & Sale will introduce a special, one-time honor as part of its 35th annual exhibition: the 250/150/35 Governor’s Legacy Art Award.

Presented personally by Colorado Governor Jared Polis during the show’s Opening Night Gala on Friday, April 24, 2026, the award recognizes a participating artist whose work powerfully reflects Colorado’s shared past, present, and future. The award highlights artwork that honors the state’s land, people, and cultural identity while encouraging reflection on Colorado’s evolving story.

“Art, whether drawn, painted, written, or listened to, is part of Colorado’s 150-year history, telling the stories of our communities, people, and culture. This year, at the annual Governor’s Art Show, the Governor’s Legacy Art Award will recognize an artist who successfully captures our 150-year history in Colorado, while inspiring us to dream of what our next 150 years may bring. I look forward to seeing how artists bring the spirit of Colorado to life in their work,” said Governor Polis.

The 35th Annual Governor’s Art Show & Sale, one of the largest juried fine art shows exclusively featuring Colorado artists, will run Saturday, April 25, through Saturday, June 6, 2026, at the Loveland Museum.

The exhibition will showcase 65 of Colorado’s top fine artists working across sculpture, mixed media, oil, pastel, watercolor, and acrylic, with both in-person and online sales available throughout the run of the show.

“Art has the power to tell the story of who we are as a state,” said Ruth Scott, show director of the Governor’s Art Show & Sale. “As we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Governor’s Art Show & Sale alongside Colorado’s 150th anniversary and America’s 250th, the Governor’s Legacy Art Award recognizes an artist whose work captures the spirit, history, and evolving identity of Colorado while highlighting the important role the arts play in preserving and sharing our collective story.”

The selected artwork will demonstrate artistic excellence and a meaningful connection to Colorado’s history, heritage, and sense of place. The award reflects the goals of the America 250 Colorado 150 initiative, which encourages storytelling and reflection on the state’s past while looking toward its future.

The 250/150/35 Governor’s Legacy Art Award will be presented during the Opening Night Gala, which offers attendees the first opportunity to view the exhibition, purchase artwork, and meet the artists juried for the show. The award-winning piece will remain on display throughout the run of the show and will be available for purchase along with all exhibited works.

Presented by the Loveland and Thompson Valley Rotary Clubs in conjunction with the Loveland Museum and endorsed by the Governor of Colorado, the Governor’s Art Show & Sale is one of the largest juried fine art exhibitions to exclusively feature Colorado artists. The show is truly Art with Heart, with 100 percent of the net show proceeds supporting community nonprofit programs through the Loveland and Thompson Valley Rotary Clubs.

Tickets for the Opening Night Gala on Friday, April 24, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m., are $100 and available for purchase on the show’s website.

Visitors can experience the exhibition in person at the Loveland Museum, 503 North Lincoln Avenue, or online at GovernorsArtShow.org. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, and the museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Exhibit admission is $7 for Loveland residents, $10 for non-residents, and free for visitors 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

About the Governor’s Art Show and Sale

The Governor’s Art Show is presented by Loveland and Thompson Valley Rotary Clubs, in conjunction with the Loveland Museum and endorsed by the Governor of Colorado. The Show is truly Art With Heart, with 100% of the net show proceeds supporting community nonprofit programs through the Loveland and Thompson Valley Rotary Clubs. The Governor’s Art Show has distributed more than $4 million to Colorado artists, nonprofits, and art scholarships, and distributed more than $150,000 to the Thompson Education Foundation’s (TEF) Fund for Unhoused Youth. The goal of TEF is to ensure education stability and success by providing support and assistance to students and families in homeless situations. To find more information on Governor’s Arts Show events, visit GovernorsArtShow.org.

About the America 250 – Colorado 150 Commemoration

The America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission is leading Colorado’s commemoration of 150 years of statehood and 250 years of American independence in 2026. Established by Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado General Assembly, the Commission brings together leaders from across the state to guide this historic milestone. Through its campaign, “The View From Here,” the Commission invites all Coloradans to reflect on our shared history and imagine the future, recognizing Colorado’s unique legacy as the only state founded on the nation’s 100th birthday in 1876. Working alongside state agencies, regional Advisory Panels, and local communities, the Commission will showcase signature initiatives, educational programs, exhibits, and community-led events to inspire engagement statewide. For more information and ways to get involved, visit Am250CO150.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, April 17, 2026

CONTACT: Angelo Greco | angelo@praxismulticultural.com

Grassroots Leaders Launch Nationwide Mobilization Ahead of America’s 250th Anniversary at NYC Town Hall

Coalition Announces June 27 Mass Rally and March in Washington, D.C., with Nationwide Sister Actions

Watch Announcement and Town Hall Here

New York, NY — On the evening of Thursday, April 16th, national and local leaders affiliated with the Next 250 Initiative gathered at Middle Collegiate Church in Manhattan to officially launch a coordinated nationwide mobilization tied to the 250th anniversary of the United States, anchored by a major national rally and march in Washington, D.C. on June 27.

The June 27 mobilization will bring thousands of people from across the country to the nation’s capital, with organizers establishing a national travel fund to support participants traveling by bus and other means. In addition to the Washington, D.C. action, organizers announced coordinated sister marches and rallies in cities nationwide, creating a distributed, national day of action ahead of July 4.

The New York City town hall marked the culmination of a series of convenings held in cities including Pittsburgh, Detroit, Hartford, and served as the public inflection point where organizers moved from listening and community engagement into a unified national rollout.

Led in part by former Women’s March leaders Linda Sarsour and Carmen Pérez, alongside Saru Jayaraman and a broad cross-movement coalition, the initiative brings together immigrant rights groups, racial justice advocates, labor leaders, faith organizations, and youth organizers to shape a people-driven vision for the country at a pivotal moment.

“This is about who gets to define what this country stands for as we approach 250 years,” said Linda Sarsour. “We’re building a mass movement that reflects the voices, struggles, and aspirations of everyday people across this country.”

The mobilization is grounded in the Declaration of Interdependence, a framework developed through more than 2,500 listening sessions nationwide, including communities in U.S. territories, immigrant communities, and individuals impacted by deportation. The Declaration was read publicly for the first time during the program and will serve as a guiding document for coordinated national actions in the months ahead.

Throughout the evening, speakers emphasized the need for a bottom-up, participatory approach to the anniversary, positioning the effort as a response to more centralized and top-down federal programming tied to the 250th.

The event featured a cross-movement panel discussion on building power across immigrant, labor, racial justice, and youth-led movements, with participation from leaders including Murad Awawdeh of the New York Immigration Coalition, Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari of Alliance for Quality Education, and Tamika Mallory of Until Freedom.

The program also highlighted the cultural dimension of the mobilization, with performances from the Resistance Revival Chorus, the Middle Collegiate Church Gospel Choir, Keris Lové, Mysonne the General, and The Freedom Dabke Group, as well as a live DJ set from Dr. Justis Lopez (DJ Faro). Attendees participated in public readings of “Letters to America,” sharing personal reflections on the country’s past, present, and future.

Installation artwork by labor activist Wyatt Closs, titled “We Be Going” was on display as part of a broader creative effort that will travel to cities across the country in the lead-up to June 27 and July 4 actions.

The gathering brought together a wide-ranging coalition of organizations including Alliance for Quality Education, Arab American Association of New York, Faith for Black Lives, Justice League NYC, Malikah, MPower Change, New York Immigration Coalition, One Fair Wage, Poderistas, Reform Alliance, The Gathering for Justice, Until Freedom, and others.

Organizers say the next phase of the initiative will focus on mobilizing thousands nationwide for June 27, while continuing to expand engagement and participation in communities across the country.

“The next 250 years will not be written for us — they will be written by us,” said Carmen Pérez.

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Press Briefing: Grassroots Leader From Across Country Will Announce Mass Mobilization Bringing Thousands Together Ahead of July 4, Anchored in Declaration of Interdependence

Press asked to RSVP HERE to attend

Featured Photo By Les Talusan Photography

Media Contact: Angelo Greco, angelo@praxismulticultural.com

New York, NY — On Thursday, April 16, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at Middle Collegiate Church in Manhattan, national and local leaders affiliated with the Next 250 initiative will convene a major town hall and press briefing marking the final gathering before the public launch of a nationwide mobilization tied to the 250th anniversary of the United States.

At this event, organizers will announce plans for a nationwide mass mobilization that will bring thousands of people together across the country ahead of July 4, positioning grassroots voices, cultural leaders, and impacted communities at the center of how the nation marks this milestone.

The New York City event marks the culmination of a series of town halls held across the country, including recent gatherings in Pittsburgh and Hartford, and will formally kick off the countdown to coordinated national actions.

The gathering is being organized alongside a broad coalition of New York and national organizations, including Alliance for Quality Education, Arab American Association of New York, Faith for Black Lives, Justice League NYC, Malikah, MPower Change, New York Immigration Coalition, One Fair Wage, Poderistas, Reform Alliance, The Gathering for Justice, Until Freedom, and others.

Next250, a national initiative dedicated to uplifting all Americans, is grounded in a Declaration of Interdependence developed through listening sessions with more than 2,500 people across the country. The Declaration reflects a shared vision for the next 250 years centered on dignity, belonging, safety, and collective responsibility.

Organizers say the April 16 town hall will serve as both a cultural and political inflection point, bringing together artists, advocates, workers, and community leaders to define a people-centered vision for the country at a moment of deep national division and global conflict.

The gathering will also feature installation artwork on display by labor activist Wyatt Closs, titled “We Be Going,” alongside musical performances and cultural programming. On the arts and visuals side, organizers are calling on local artists and activists to contribute works as part of a broader creative mobilization that will build toward nationwide July 4 events and public actions tied to the Declaration of Interdependence.

The event will feature a cross-movement panel discussion, cultural performances, and opportunities for attendees to engage directly with and sign the Declaration of Interdependence.

As federal efforts tied to the anniversary take shape through top-down programming, Next250 organizers are positioning this mobilization as a parallel civic effort rooted in participation, storytelling, and collective action.

Event Details:

WHAT: Next250 New York Town Hall and National Mobilization Announcement

WHEN: Thursday, April 16, 2026; 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

WHERE: Middle Collegiate Church (50 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003)

WHO:

• Linda Sarsour, Next250 organizer, former Women’s March co-chair
• Carmen Pérez, Next250 organizer, former Women’s March co-chair
• Saru Jayaraman, Next250 organizer, President of One Fair Wage

Representatives and leaders from a cross-movement coalition of immigrant, racial justice, faith, and worker advocacy organizations, including:

• Alliance for Quality Education
• Arab American Association of New York
• Faith for Black Lives
• Justice League NYC
• Malikah
• MPower Change
• New York Immigration Coalition
• One Fair Wage
• Poderistas
• Reform Alliance
• The Gathering for Justice
• Until Freedom
• Next250

MEDIA RSVP: Please RSVP HERE to attend or request interviews

Visuals: large-scale town hall gathering at historic Middle Church; coalition leaders and organizers announcing national mobilization plans; speakers outlining the Declaration of Interdependence; live performances and cultural programming; audience participation and sign-on moments; visuals capturing a cross-movement coalition shaping a people-driven vision for America’s 250th anniversary.

Background: The Next 250 initiative, led nationally by organizers including Linda Sarsour, Saru Jayaraman, and Carmen Pérez, is working to shape the public conversation around the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Through the Declaration of Interdependence, organizers aim to elevate historically excluded voices and build a forward-looking civic agenda rooted in shared responsibility and democratic participation. The New York City town hall marks a key step in mobilizing communities ahead of coordinated national actions this summer.

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Apache Seeks to Share Poetry’s Transformative Power with Coloradans Statewide

DENVER – Today, Governor Polis and the Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced that Crisosto Apache has been selected as the new Colorado Poet Laureate, succeeding the late Andrea Gibson. Apache, an indigenous poet and Associate Professor at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, will serve in the role for two years with a special emphasis on honoring America 250 – Colorado 150 in 2026, a year-long commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th anniversary of statehood.

“Colorado’s Poet Laureate is our statewide ambassador of the arts, inspiring and uplifting the next generation of artists and poets in our state. Crisosto will be a strong advocate for the arts and art education, helping youth discover poetry, and bringing Coloradans together,” said Governor Polis. “I am grateful for Andrea Gibson’s service as our previous Poet Laureate, and we posthumously continue to honor Andrea’s artistic influence and unwavering conviction as powerfully shown in the 2026 Oscar-nominated film “Come See Me in the Good Light.”

The Poet Laureate is a celebrated position that serves as an ambassador for poetry, engaging with communities across the state, conducting readings and workshops, and inspiring a love for the art form. As the new Colorado Poet Laureate, Apache plans to help a diversity of youth discover poetry and collaboratively work with county Poets Laureate across the state.

“I am deeply honored to step into the legacy of Colorado’s Poet Laureates as the 11th and to walk this path. For me, this service is more than a title; it’s about sharing the quiet miracle of poetry and the transformative power poetry holds for our lives. Today, perhaps more than ever, our young people need poetry. When a young person finds their voice through a poem, they aren’t just writing—they are building the vision for a more compassionate society and future. I hope my time in this role can serve as a bridge, helping young people discover the voices that will shape our futures,” said Crisosto Apache.

Apache is Mescalero Apache, Chiricahua Apache, and Diné (Navajo). Apache is the author of the poetry collections “GENESIS,” “Ghostword,” winner of the Betty Berzon Emerging Writers Award and finalist for the Colorado Authors League in Poetry, and “is(ness).” Apache is also an Editor-at-large for Offing Magazine.

“We are thrilled to announce the selection of Crisosto Apache as our state’s new Poet Laureate. Crisosto’s profound work as a poet and commitment to a Colorado for All will help strengthen our creative economy and reinforce the vital role arts and culture play in driving economic vitality and place-based growth across the state,” said OEDIT’s Executive Director, Eve Lieberman.

Apache succeeds Andrea Gibson, who was appointed Poet Laureate in September 2023 and served until their passing on July 14, 2025, from ovarian cancer. Their powerful voice and presence leaves a lasting impact through their work as Poet Laureate, author, health care advocate with Power to the Patients, subject of the award-winning documentary “Come See Me in the Good Light,” and much more.

In a 2024 OEDIT Impact Story, Gibson said of being Poet Laureate, “I have learned that just about everyone is a poet, and it is absolutely thrilling to watch people of all ages discover their own personal talent for writing. I cherish the look in someone’s eyes when they realize that what they’ve written is not just beautiful, but a gift to others who read their words. Because of this, I have found myself falling newly in love with poetry many times, and that enthusiasm has made its way into all of my recent poems.”

Gibson’s work continues to be honored in “Begin Where You Are, The Colorado Poets Laureate Anthology.” This new collection commemorates Colorado’s Poets Laureate by featuring work from all 10 Colorado Poets Laureate who preceded Apache, including never-before-published poems by Gibson. Proceeds are being directed toward an endowment for the Colorado Poet Laureate position to provide additional funding for travel, with an emphasis on visiting rural communities and more schools and libraries across the state.

“We are honored and overjoyed to welcome Crisosto Apache as Colorado’s next Poet Laureate. As Colorado reflects on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the 150th anniversary of our entrance into the Union, Crisosto Apache’s critical work and inspiring voice will invite all Coloradans to reflect upon our storied histories, contextualize the realities of today and boldly imagine a future where all Coloradans can belong and thrive,” said Josh Blanchard, Director of Colorado Creative Industries.

The Poet Laureate position was created to promote an appreciation of poetry in Colorado and to honor outstanding Colorado poets. Colorado Humanities, Center for the Book, and Colorado Creative Industries jointly support the honorary position, providing $10,000 annually to cover honoraria and travel expenses related to public presentations for each term. This year, an additional $5,000 will be available as part of the 250/150 Commemoration work. The Word, A Storytelling Sanctuary, administered the application and selection process.

Colorado is among the first states to have a Poet Laureate when Governor Oliver Shoup appointed Alice Polk Hill in 1919. Since then (1919-1921), nine other people have served: Nellie Burget Miller (1923-1952), Margaret Clyde Robertson (1952-1954), Milford E. Shields (1954-1975), Thomas Hornsby Ferril (1979-1988), Mary Crow (1996-2010), David Mason (2010-2014), Joseph Hutchison (2014-2019), Bobby LeFebre (2019-2023), and Andrea Gibson (2023-2025).

“We are thrilled to welcome Crisosto Apache as the new Colorado Poet Laureate. The Poets Laureate help us remember the past, process the present, and inspire us to dream of the future we hope to create. We are fortunate to have Crisosto fill a role that is so vital in this current moment,” said Sarah Olivier, Executive Director of Colorado Humanities.

To invite Crisosto Apache to your community, email poetlaureate@coloradohumanities.org

About Colorado Humanities

Colorado Humanities, home of the Colorado Center for the Book, works to inspire a love of reading and writing, encourage the exploration of ideas, and deepen appreciation for Colorado’s multifaceted cultural heritage. Through dialogue, storytelling, and strong community partnerships, we strengthen the public humanities and help ensure that cultural resources are preserved and shared for generations to come. Colorado Humanities is affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Library of Congress Center for the Book, and the Smithsonian Institution. To learn more, visit coloradohumanities.org.

About Colorado Creative Industries

Colorado Creative Industries is a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Established to capitalize on the immense potential for our creative sector to enhance economic growth in Colorado, the mission of Colorado Creative Industries is to promote, support, and expand the creative industries to drive Colorado’s economy, grow jobs, and enhance our quality of life. For more information, visit oedit.colorado.gov/colorado-creative-industries.

About the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works to empower all to thrive in Colorado’s economy. Under the leadership of the Governor and in collaboration with economic development partners across the state, we foster a thriving business environment through funding and financial programs, training, consulting, and informational resources across industries and regions. We promote economic growth and long-term job creation by recruiting, retaining, and expanding Colorado businesses and providing programs that support entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes at every stage of growth. Our goal is to protect what makes our state a great place to live, work, start a business, raise a family, visit, and retire—and make it accessible to everyone. Learn more about OEDIT.

Governor Jared Polis

State Capitol Bldg – 200 E. Colfax Ave., Rm. 136, Denver, CO 80203

Constituent Services Help Line: (303) 866-2885

Governor’s Office, Front Desk: (303) 866-2471

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