Mission
Inspiration, Creativity, Curiosity
Our mission is to cultivate and provide an inspirational space for people of all ages and walks of life to come explore their inherent creativity, curiosity, and playfulness, while learning about the world of art; enriching the community and beyond...
Painted Turtle Art Projects
About
PTS strives to be a bridge between community and art in Mancos, Colorado... a place where people can come together and learn about the world of art and their own inner artist! Following a wonderful model in Whitefish, Montana, called Stumptown Art Studio, PTS is getting its start!
We serve all of the community, young and old, professional artists, backyard artists and aspiring creative people alike with a variety of classes, workshops, lectures, gallery exhibits, free programs and community art events. Through positive, creative experiences everyone can find a way to take part in making, sharing and appreciating art!
Painted Turtle Studio is not yet its own 501 c 3 organization. We are opting to use the wonderful resource that we have here, Mancos Valley Resources (MVR), as our non-profit fiscal sponsor. Mancos Valley Resources acts as an umbrella 501 c 3 for many local projects which fall within their mission to enhance the charitable, educational, recreational, and historical aspects of the Mancos Valley. By using MVR, we can apply for grants that only tax exempt organizations may apply for, as well as offer our donors the option to make their gift tax deductible. Our goal is to become our own non-profit within one year; and in the meantime, we are incredibly grateful to MVR for helping us get our start!
Painted Turtle Super Kids!
Sarah Allen
Sarah grew up with the Rocky Mountains as her playground. In her early 20's, as a student at Colorado Mountain College, she found a new toy, a camera, and has used it to convey her childlike awe of the world to an expanding and appreciative audience. From abstract close-ups to scenes and landscapes rich with story, Sarah's sensitive eye captures the essence of life wherever she points her lens.
An insatiable explorer, Sarah continued to develop her technical skills at New College, in SF, CA, where she graduated with a BFA in 1995. From Colorado, she has exhibited at numerous venues, such as the Open Shutter Gallery in her home town of Durango, and Colorado restaurants, Sarah has followed her camera into the wild lands and villages of Mexico and Latin America, where she continues to travel and photograph widely.
At age 37 she is weird, wonderful, and still totally in love with the world and her camera.
Do it Yourself Art
Paint Your Own Pottery
Walk in anytime and paint your own ceramics. Choose from our wide selection of fun and practical unpainted pieces ... for your home, garden, office or the perfect gift for just about anyone! Take a seat and enjoy painting at your own pace; when you are finished, your piece will be left with us to fire in our kiln. Come back in one week and your beautiful product will be waiting for you on our display shelf! We happily ship items to our out-of-town visitors.
An Adult Painting Pottery in the Studio
Make Mosaics
Mosaics are a great way to tap into your inner artist and create a fabulous and unique piece to hang on your wall, decorate your patio, or frame your favorite picture or mirror. We carry a selection of pre-cut molds and frames for you to choose from, as well as small tiles, glue and grout that you will need to complete your project.
Play with Clay
Our clay studio is open to the public to walk in and play with clay at a low hourly rate! Wheels are available for those with experience and members of our clay co-op. Hand building and slab work is open to all! Some of the most beautiful ceramics are built by hand! If you would like your piece to be fired, the price of clay will be added to your tab. After the first firing, you can come back to glaze it for a final firing.
Try Glass Fusing
It's hot, it's fun ... and, get this, it's easy! Glass fusing is a beautiful art form that involves piecing together scrap glass, which will be melted in the kiln to create pendants, plates, and all sorts of neat shapes for various uses. As with the paint-your-own-pottery, you will leave your unfired piece with us to fuse in the kiln and return one week later to pick it up.
Art Supplies
Art supplies for sale and anything can be special ordered. Let us know what your looking for!! Come in and see what we have!
"We learn to do something by doing it. There is no other way." John Holt
Clay Co-op
Come on down to the "clay ground"!
Become part of the Clay Co-op for a low monthly membership fee.
Try your hand at hand building and glazing. Wheel throwing is available for potters with experience.
If you are new to clay, private lessons can always be arranged in hand building or wheel throwing. Group lessons are also available.
Working inside the Painted Turtle Clay Studio
"To cease to think creatively is but little different than
ceasing to live." Benjamin Franklin
Events
We do Parties!!!
Trying to figure out what to do for your child's birthday party? You can rent one of our rooms for paint-your-own-pottery! Kids can choose from small figurines or other fun pieces to paint. Bring cake, ice cream, presents, balloons and have the space to yourself to play games and paint pottery!
We also rent the entire space for after-hours parties for birthdays, bridal and baby showers, and other events. Bring beverages, snacks, and decorations and have fun painting the night away... without the hassle of housecleaning!
Gallery
We alternate shows in the gallery so that we can reach a wide range of people, bringing art into the lives of as many people in our community as possible. For example, national artists, new trends in the clay arts, functional and sculptural, local artists.
Adult Parties at the Painted Turtle Studio
Art Education
Painted Turtle Studio offers educational opportunities for all ages and all artistic levels.
We provide classes here at the studio in Mancos and throughout the valley. We offer art programs for area schools and organizations. We offer on-site workshops, art classes, a clay co-op, after school art clubs, art exhibits, summer camps, hands-on art activities, ceramic painting, wheel throwing, glass fusing, Art walks, Gallery Nights and much more!!
Check out the Painted Turtle Studio Pricing List
Schedule/Calendar
Click to Access Painted Turtle Studio Calendar
Private Art Lessons
We all know how difficult it is to dedicate quality time to art with such busy schedules. However, just like exercise, fresh air, and a healthy diet, we also know how important it is! SO... now is the time to make time for art!
Private lessons are available for all ages and abilities - beginners to advanced. We have a tremendous team of artist instructors for clay, sculpture, drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, etc...
Lessons are usually one hour, but can be longer if you would like. Some supplies are included and others are available for sale. If you've got a box of art supplies at home just waiting to be used, dust them off, bring them in and USE them!
Lessons can be one-on-one instruction time or for small groups (families, friends, homeschoolers or folks who just can't afford "one-on-ones, etc!) So, call today to schedule your private lesson... no more excuses! (See our price list for individual and group rates.)
Donate
Support Painted Turtle Studio Today!
Your donation is tax deductible! Painted Turtle Studio is working on getting non-profit status as a 501c3 organization. In the meantime, we are utilizing Mancos Valley Resources as our non-profit fiscal sponsor so that your donations can be tax deductible.
It's people like you that keep the arts alive in our community!
Mail-in Donation Form
Donate Online!
Having Fun and Working on an Art Project
Contact
Get in Contact with Painted Turtle Studio
970-533-7136
Painted Turtle Studio Address in Mancos, CO
"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." Pablo Picasso