About the
Open Space and the Arts program

The Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) and the Arts Program fosters and nurtures the public’s artistic exploration and appreciation of OSMP lands, and creates a deeper connection between the public and the land through the artist’s inspiration, work, and educational programs and exhibits.

All programs are FREE of charge

Here is the spring and summer schedule for the OSMP and the Arts Program. Late summer and fall programs will be posted soon.  Please check back.

Marsh Songs
Sun May 5, 8 – 10:30 am
The Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra recently performed Cantus Arcticus: Concerto for Birds and Orchestra, a work by Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara that featured bird songs recorded in wetlands near the Arctic Circle. Listen for bird songs in a local marsh with naturalist Dave Sutherland and hear selections from the orchestral work. Early birds should meet at Sawhill Ponds, on 75^th Street about 0.6 miles north of Valmont Road, for this easy hike. This program is free and open to the public. Beginning bird watchers strongly encouraged! Please do not bring dogs.

Springtime in the Rockies:
Explore Boulder's incredible Open Space and Mountain Parks landscape through photography
Tue. May 21, 8:30 – 11:30 am
Spend the morning with Boulder's own Christopher Brown, renowned landscape photographer. Explore philosophy, aesthetics, technique and your personal relationship with the land in pursuit of your personal vision. Any skill level may participate, but the instruction will be geared towards those who know how to operate their camera. Space is limited; please use this online link to register: http://chrisbrown2013.eventbrite.com. Location information will be given at registration.

Sketching New Life
Tue. May 28, 5 -8 pm
Join Guest Artist Elizabeth Jenny on this easy stroll looking for signs of spring and new life.  Through sketching, we will gain a more intimate connection with this time of year. No art experience necessary.  This program is geared toward adults.  Space is limited; please use this link to register online: http://elizabethjenny2013.eventbrite.com. Location information will be given at registration.

Firescape Nature Journaling
Sat. June 1, 9 am – Noon
Join artist Damaris Methner and naturalist Dave Sutherland on this moderate hike into a previously burned area. Participants will explore the area and do nature journaling to depict the experience of greeting the burned landscape, and explore how the landscape is transforming and healing through the seasons. Participants will create a "Firescape Journal” and will also learn about the science of fire ecology.  A follow-up program will be offered in September to revisit this area in autumn. The program is free, but space is limited and reservations are required – follow this link to reserve a space http://journal6-1.eventbrite.com. Meeting location will be provided when you register.

Rhythms of Life- Share Your Musical Spirit
Tue. June 18, 7 - 8:30 pm
Join us for an interactive drum and rhythm circle to connect with nature, music, and friends on OSMP.  We will develop the circle and experience it as a metaphor for the Circle of Life.  Many drums and instruments will be provided.  We also invite you to bring your own, including flutes, didgeridoos, and more.  Please also bring chairs to help us create a sound circle.  Jon Crowder of Peak Rhythms will lead and facilitate the program.  No experience necessary. Space is limited; please use this link to register online: http://drums2013.eventbrite.com. Location information will be given at registration.

“Art Inspired by the Land” Art Show Opening Reception
Fri. July 26  5 -7 p.m.
Boulder Public Library, Canyon Gallery
1001 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, CO 80302
Please join us for appetizers, quartet music from the Boulder Philharmonic, and beautifully inspiring community art celebrating the City of Boulder’s own Open Space and Mountain Parks lands and wildlife.  This reception is free and open to the public.  Feel free to call the library at 303-441-3100  for more information.

Symphony in Stone
Sat. Aug 31     12:30 – 3:30 pm
On September 7 in Macky Auditorium, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra will perform the world premiere of Jeffrey Nytch’s First Symphony, “Formations,” which draws inspiration from Colorado’s fascinating geology. Study up for the concert – and meet the composer in person - with Open Space and Mountain Parks naturalist Dave Sutherland, who will lead you on a journey into Boulder’s past with wild rock stories that include dinosaurs, glaciers, vast swamps, oceans and ancient mountain ranges now vanished into the dust of time. Meet on the north side of NCAR at the Walter Orr Roberts trailhead. 2.5 miles, 400 feet elevation gain.

Firescape Nature Journaling
Sat. Sept 21, 9 am –Noon
Join artist Damaris Methner and naturalist Dave Sutherland on this moderate hike into a previously burned area. Participants will explore the area and do nature journaling to depict the experience of greeting the burned landscape, and explore how the landscape is transforming and healing through the seasons. Participants will create a "Firescape Journal” and will also learn about the science of fire ecology. The program is free, but space is limited and reservations are required please use this link to reserve a space online http://journal9-21.eventbrite.com. Meeting location will be provided when you register.

Call for Art 2013

The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Department is excited to announce that we will host an art show in late summer at the Boulder Public Library Canyon Gallery.  This show will celebrate art created by the community and inspired by The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks lands. 

We are looking for display-ready submissions in any form of art (photo, painting, drawing, pastel, writing, sculpture, textile, etc.).  Each community member is allowed to submit up to three pieces for consideration.  Art can be submitted by any age and level (amateur to professional).  Submissions will be considered based on quality, variation of location, and type of media in relation to other selected pieces. 

To submit your work, please attach an electronic picture of your piece(s), cut and paste the below form into an email and send it to Deb Matlock at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The deadline for submission is June 28, 2013.  Early entries are encouraged.  Please contact Deb Matlock if you have any questions: 303-413-7657 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Selected art work will need to be dropped off at the Boulder Public Library Canyon Gallery on July 16, 2013 and picked up at the library on August 29, 2013. 

 Artwork Submission Form:

Name:

Address:

Phone:

Email:

Title of artwork:

Type of media:

OSMP location where work was created or inspired:

Date (range) work was created:

Season in which work was created:

Artist’s statement (3-5 sentences, include why OSMP was an important part of the creation of this work):

Was this work created by an artist under the age of 18?

Does this piece of artwork have any special display requirements?

 Follow this link to a schedule of other free OSMP nature programs

“I liked the size of the group…large enough to be varied, but small enough for the group to be cohesive….good mix of ages.”

What did you like about the program?  “Being outside, sitting, being present with surroundings…”

“It was wonderful to take in the beauty of OSMP with the specific intent of expressing through art a couple hours later!  I liked that the art form was brand new to me and required no special skill, and the process was short enough that we were able to leave with several finished pieces.”

“This idea of blending art with learning and appreciating OSMP lands is a marvelous idea!  It seems to be getting new people out appreciating the lands-there was one woman in the class who had never hiked before…and I think now she might be a little hooked.”

“The pace was very comfortable and pleasant.  Lots of time for contemplation and reflection.”

“The artist encouraged us to see ourselves in nature and stimulated us to take time to see the beauty around us and feel the emotion.”

“(This program) helped me see with new eyes…”

“OSMP provides many artistic opportunities.  Even a brief hike reveals a variety of natural colors, textures, scenes and juxtapositions that can be translated into art forms.”

“(I gained) new appreciation for the many colors and textures in nature as I began to see rocks, grass, cones, etc from the perspective of the artistic techniques one could use to represent them.”

Deb Matlock
303-413-7657
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Last Updated on Wednesday, 08 May 2013 10:22