Celebrating its 40th year, the Mountain Arts Festival returns to Memorial Park in Woodland Park the weekend of August 9-10. This year’s festival will feature 125 artists, including featured Artist Charlotte Lee, who has been a vendor since the festival’s inception.

“The first year, there were just a few dozen of us,” Lee said. “But it’s really grown over the years.”

Festival coordinator, Gayle Gross said the festival has grown to have broad appeal.

“Most artists come from towns across Colorado, but there are artists who come from across the United States to be part of the event,” she said.

Lee was introduced to the Mountain Arts Festival by her late husband.

“I don’t recall how he heard about it, but we were living off the grid out at the south end of Eleven Mile, and pottery was a way for me to occupy my time,” Lee said. “He came home one day and told me he’d signed me up for the Mountain Arts Festival, and I’ve done every one since.”

Pottery has long been a passion for Lee.

“I was introduced to pottery while at Adams State College,” she said. “I took a class called Fire, Clay and Metal, and I always like playing with mud, so when I took my first pottery class, it kind of took over.

“I’ve attended a lot of Arts Festivals across the state, but this one is my favorite.”

Artists will showcase crafts across a broad range of work, everything from food art to woodworking, pottery, glass art, jewelry and painting.

“There are no brokers at this festival,” Gross said. “Only artists are invited to participate.”

By bringing together a diverse group of artists, residents and visitors, the event connects the community on many levels.

“The festival is not just an avenue to sell our work, but it’s a great way for us to interact with and socialize with other artists and to visit with those who appreciate the work we do,” Lee said. “One of my favorite things about the Mountain Arts Festival is when I have return clients come to me ready to add to their collection of my work.”

Because the Mountain Artists organization uses the festival as a fundraiser for scholarships and art education, artists are vetted to maintain high standard at the festival. However, emerging members with Mountain Artists can apply for space at the Mountain Artists Art Display booth — “the MAAD booth” — to get exposure at the event.

In 2024, Mountain Artists raised over $12,000 to support local students pursuing higher education in the visual arts and to fund art initiatives in local schools as well as Parks and Rec Community Programs.

The festival serves as a bridge between artists and the broader community. It provides a platform for creatives to display and sell their work without the costs, commissions, or commitments of a traditional gallery. At the same time, it often leads to bigger opportunities—Lee, for example, has sold work in shops from Colorado Springs to Yosemite National Park thanks to contacts made at the festival.

Year over year, the Mountain Arts Festival attracts between 2,000-3,000 visitors from all over — not just Colorado or the United States, but visitors from around the world have come.

“This year is special,” Gross said. “Since it’s our 40th, on Saturday we’re going to have a community cake at 1 p.m. to celebrate. We’re also going to be having live demos under the main pavilion on Saturday from 11:00 until 2:00.”

In addition to art, there will be food trucks, a silent auction and live music. The festival hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is free. More information at themountainartists.org.