At the monthly partners meeting with Mesa Verde Country in Cortez, it was reported that potential visitor inquiries about our region increased by 63 percent over last year. This all filters into the Mancos Visitor Center (VC), where we experienced a 78 percent increase in the number of requests for information about Mancos. These requests come from our partner at Mesa Verde Country and from those generated by the Mancos Valley website. We hope that these requests for information will then be followed by visitors to the Valley.

The Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce also partners with other organizations in Mancos. Our collaboration with the Mancos Valley Arts Council (MVAC) resulted in the development of the Mancos Town Gallery at the Visitor Center. Currently, Beth Wheeler, master calligrapher, is exhibiting her work at the Town Gallery. Please, stop by to check out this amazing body of work that includes photography, watercolor and of course, calligraphy.

The Arts Council is working on another project, "The Great Mancos Arts Roundup," on Saturday, June 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Roundup is a community project sponsored by the MVAC that opens the studios of local artists to visitors. You will be able to visit with local artists in their galleries and in their studios. Learn more about their work and experience their work environment. There will be demos, beautiful, wonderful things to see and perhaps buy. There will be a little fun thrown into the mix with music and food.

The Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) has applications at the VC for artists who wish to participate, or you can stop by Raven House Gallery, 120 W. Grand; Geeks on Grand/Accidental Art Gallery, 145 W. Grand, or Artisans of Mancos, 101 W. Grand. The registration fee is $60 before May 20 and $75 after that date.

If you have questions, you can call the Raven House Gallery at 533-7149 or the VC at 533-7434.

While all this is happening the VC is getting ready for summer. Beginning May 1, the VC will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and will also open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This is also the time we recruit new volunteers for the Mancos Valley Ambassador program to help meet and greet visitors to our region. No special skill or talents are required. If you enjoy meeting new people, this could be the opportunity for you. We have tourists stop in who come from regions around the world. This is definitely not a boring volunteer position. Come join the Mancos Valley Ambassador program and share what you know about our beautiful community with the curious traveler to our town.