An art exhibit featuring the work of filmmaker and Palmer Divide resident Jim Sawatzki is being shown at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, 30 West Dale St., Colorado Springs.

The exhibit, The Gathering Place, features an 18-minute video, “The Teacher,” a segment from Sawatzki’s documentary, “Rarefied Air: Historic Artists of the Pikes Peak Region.” The video explores the region’s artistic history, showcases early painters and creatives attracted to the region’s breathtaking landscapes and provides stories of artistic development in the region.

The teacher is Canadian-born American cartoonist, illustrator and painter Boardman Mike” Robinson, who helped establish the CSFAC and is regarded as the grandfather of COS’ early art community. The video features comments from local artists Eric Bransby, Pat Musick and Lew Tilley, and Robinson’s granddaughter, Johanne Robinson Coiner.

In an interview with KCME Radio 88.7 FM in Colorado Springs, Sawatzki explained that Colorado’s beauty inspired artists to relocate to the Centennial State.

“The scenery here alone drew a lot of artists from back east. (U.S. Army) Gen. (William Jackson) Palmer wanted a cultured community, so he attracted intellectuals and artists in the early 1870s,” Sawatzki said.

Palmer, who fought for the Union, in 1871 used his engineering background and wealth to establish Colorado Springs as a resort town. In “The Teacher,” CSFAC Curator Blake Milteer talked about photographer Laura Gilpin who, through Palmer, developed an interest in wildlife photography.

“One of the earliest books she (Gilpin) remembers giving a lot of attention to was a book he (Palmer) had given her on photographing wildlife. It got her started on a path to becoming one of the most renowned photographers in American history – a photographer that (American landscape photographer) Ansel Adams referred to as ‘The First Lady of the Lens,’” Milteer said.

Another artist, author Helen Hunt Jackson, moved to COS in 1873 seeking rest and a cure for tuberculosis.

“These are historic artists I covered that spent most of their productive years in the Pikes Peak region. In some cases, a couple of them were born here,” Sawatzki said.

Having served as an art teacher for years inspired Sawatzki to pursue this subject, he said.

“I thought ‘why not make a movie on artists?’ So, as a teacher, I thought I could make a nice little movie to help instruct young students and for teachers to help explain the different mediums. I cover most all mediums of art in this film,” Sawatzki said in the interview.

“I chose artists that had most of their productive life here in this region doing their art. We have everything from painters to sculptors, you name it.”

According to Sawatzki, his is the only documentary on COS’ art history and explains the Colorado College connection to the CSFAC.

“This film is about the founding and significance of the CSFAC… It is the only film ever produced on our art history,” Sawatzki said in a Jan. 14 email.

Sawatzki became interested in local stories of small towns while living in the Palmer Lake area. He did a film about the history of Palmer Lake called, “The Village on the Divide.” East Library assisted with the film’s production.

“It was a half-hour show. It sort of sparked my interest (and), I just kept going, I kept doing shows on all towns on the front range like Monument, Castle Rock, Colorado Springs…” Sawatzki said.

The Michigan State University graduate has been documenting Front Range Colorado history since 1992. His work has been televised on regional PBS affiliates and local cable channels, and A&E’s Biography channel.

To date, Sawatzki has marketed about 15 film titles. These include “Star on Sundance,” “Territorial Days on the Palmer Divide,” “The Treasure of the Cripple Creek Mining District” and “The Life & Times of Gen. William Jackson Palmer.”

The Gathering Place invites visitors to experience the region’s history, cultures and landscapes in the context of American art. The exhibition encourages the community to explore diverse artistic voices of the Southwest and beyond, through works from the CSFAC’s permanent collection.

The exhibit is located in Gallery 3, first floor of the CSFAC. View

“The Teacher” on YouTube channel pdpjim. Visit palmerdivideproductions.com for Sawatzki’s radio interview. Click on “Rarefied Air” and scroll to radio interview.

“I think people enjoy my website. There’s a lot to see,” Sawatzki said.