As spring unfurls across the Yampa Valley, the First Friday Artwalk returns to Steamboat Springs with blossoms of creative energy amid unique perspectives. The event, held on the first Friday of the month, celebrates local artistic talent and community-based connections.

May’s show, which begins at 5 p.m. Friday at art galleries throughout Steamboat, features artistic expression ranging from large-scale visual statements to intimate reflections on memory, humor and identity. 

Large and in charge

Pine Moon Fine Art, 117 Ninth St., will present “Large Works,” an all-gallery showcase by the group’s collective body of artists.

The exhibit will feature large-scale pieces across a range of mediums including painting, ceramics, paper on edge, jewelry and glasswork. “Large Works” explores the power of scale while also providing viewers an opportunity to engage with pieces that demand attention through their transformation of space.

The show, which opens Friday from 5–8 p.m., will offer craftsmanship of local artists working at an ambitious and inspiring scale. 

For more information, visit PineMoonFineArt.com

‘Mountain Contemporary’

The Schoonover Gallery welcomes painter Terry Meyer, whose five-decade career blends various media ranging from steel sculpture to watercolor. Based out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Meyer’s current works in oil and watercolor reflect a deep connection to the movement and energy of the environment. 

“Terry is new to Schoonover Gallery and reflects amazing contemporary art reflective of Steamboat and its character,” said Ray Schoonover.

Meyer’s paintings, which are deeply expressive and powerful, combine nature-inspired themes with delicate brushstrokes to bring a fresh take to the gallery’s signature “mountain contemporary” style. 

For more information on the Schoonover Gallery, 929 Lincoln Ave., visit SchoonoverGallery.com

Wildlife inspirations

Nestled off Lincoln Avenue, and above Del Mezcal’s rear entrance, The Alley continues its quest to bring viewers surprises in their humble, yet powerful studio and gallery spaces.

This month, owner-artists Ann Feldman and Jill Bergman turn their focus and talents towards the natural world with a selection of wildlife-themed works. Highlights of the show include paintings from Feldman’s Steamboat Babies series and Bergman’s intricate linocut, “Pika’s Bouquet,” which is a celebration of local wildlife, deep affection and art.

The Alley, 729 Lincoln Ave., invites visitors to view the work inside the artists’ working studios, which offers a unique and rare chance to connect directly with the makers behind the art in the space where they create it.

Military Appreciation Month and more

The Riverwalk Collective, at the Depot Art Center, 1001 13th St., this month honors one of its own during Military Appreciation Month as Navy veteran and Colorado native Pete Wood shares his paintings, which connect outdoor adventure with his two-decade experience in the Navy. The exhibition highlights the role of art in healing and transformation, particularly for veterans following their service to the country. 

“Art gives me both a challenge and a joy,” said Wood. “And that joy multiplies when others connect with it.” 

His work balances landscapes with deep personal narratives, while also creating a platform for veterans in the broader arts community.

“Many people may not realize how veterans use art for healing, connection and growth,” said Wood. “I want to help show that military veterans are more than their service. We are artists, neighbors and storytellers.”

At The Depot’s Bliss Hall, Amanda Blickensderfer brings rebellious wit with her solo show “un-serious business.” Drawing from her childhood in Pueblo, Blickensderfer uses her work to push against the established tones of contemporary art.

“The art world can feel like a stage where specific emotional responses are expected,” she said. “This show is my rebellion against that. It’s just art for you to experience, however you want.”

But within that experience lies true emotional depth for the viewer, as well as the opportunity to explore new mental pathways.  

“My art is an escape hatch. It’s where I finally get to be the confident, witty person I imagine myself as,” she said. “… Art can be welcoming, not just an intellectual exercise. If people leave feeling a bit brighter, then I’ve done my job.”

Visit SteamboatCreates.org/Depot-Art-Center/About to learn more about the venue and its featured artists for May.

Whether visitors are seeking oversized canvases, stories of service and recovery or a lighthearted break from everyday life, this month’s First Friday Artwalk has something to offer to everyone as it continues to serve as a celebration of Steamboat’s creative spirit and the community that keeps it thriving.

For a full map and list of participating venues, visit SteamboatCreates.org/Events/Steamboat-Creates-Events/First-Friday-Artwalk.