By Dian Law

This year Art Fest/Street Fair was a total success. Even the weather cooperated with a gorgeous sunshiny day (right before the evening deluge). This is last Art Fest that Marianne Griffin coordinated, and the best. We had 25 vendors, all kinds of musical entertainment, and an "ass class" (donkeys, that is). Marianne has knocked herself out over the past four years as a volunteer for the Arts Council to produce this event and she deserves lots of thanks and praise for a job well done. She and her husband, Bill, are leaving Mancos to move to sunnier climes in November. We shall miss both of them.

Mancos School of the West

One of the booths at the Street Fair, this new entity announced its plans for 2015. Its mission is to support the teaching community of artists and craftsmen in the Mancos Valley committed to sharing the spirit and culture of the American West through classes, workshops and special events. For information, contact Rena Wilson at the Visitors Center/Chamber.

Drawing at the center ongoing

Starting on Sept. 11, Life Drawing sessions will be available at the Cortez Cultural Center. Bring paper and drawing tools, and $5 for the model. Time is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Participants must be over 18. It's every Thursday evening.

Wildlife at the library

On Thursday, Oct. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m., photographer Chuck Haspels presents Bird Watching With a Camera at the Mancos Public Library Community Meeting Room. Haspels shares with you his birdwatching adventures in the USA, Korea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Belize, Guatemala and Nicaragua. Woven into this story will be snakes, Ancestral Puebloans, the Wetherills, cartoons, lions, lizards, philosophy, famous photographers, cheetahs, and more. A collection of wildlife images that Haspels photographed in Kenya in 2013 is on display on the Art Wall at the Mancos Public Library and can be viewed through the month of October.

Mancos town gallery

The current show is "Art Takes Flight" - inspired by the Balloon Fest. This show will run through October, with a week's hiatus. Then the annual Mask Show will go up. For info, contact Jan Wright (882-3130) or Marilyn Kroeker (533-7363) Also, Marilyn's great new musical ensemble, Sweetwater Station, is getting rave reviews from recent outings around the county. More on the show dates, next column.

Cowboy poetry

It's that time of year again - time for the Cowboy Poetry Gathering on Oct. 2-5. The Gathering is an exciting, fun-filled event with evening performances and Saturday daytime sessions. Poets and musicians from throughout the country grace our intimate stage at The Strater Theater. Check out their website (www.durangocowboygathering.org) for the schedule and other information. This year's theme is "A Year to Honor the Ranch Woman."

All contributions to the column are most appreciated. Email them to [email protected] See ya soon.