On Saturday, February 16, the 16th annual Imagine This! includes a potpourri of creative experiences at the single largest indoor arts extravaganza in Estes Park each year. Although geared primarily for children, audiences of all ages can enjoy the day’s offerings, which include visual art, music, dance, and much more. A program with a festival layout will be provided, and each booth will be identified with a number and sign.

“It's a wonderful way for families to let their creative energies blossom in the spacious Commons Area at the Estes Park High School”, explains arts council director Lynda Vogel. Imagine This! was formed when the Cultural Arts Council was young in 1992.

At the time, there was no event of its kind in the Estes Valley. Local arts organizations came together at the High School for a meeting, and the concept was born. Bob Aikens came up with the name, and from that day forward Imagine This! has captured the hearts and minds of young people from our own community to the front range and beyond.”

“This year’s theme, Catch the Magic, captures the excitement and joy of creativity by seeing it, doing it and being it. For those of us who have been involved in the event for over 15 years, it never ceases to amaze us how much children love to create and experience the arts. You do not have to be a child to participate. Adults as well as children can experience the arts and all of the wonderful offerings individual artists, musicians and local non-profit groups share with the public at Imagine This!”.

Lunch will be available at a Band Boosters concession near the gym entrance and 100% of the proceeds benefit music programs in the PARK District Schools. The 2008 theme also ties into the Rails in the Rockies XI train giveaway which features a Harry Potter Hogwarts Express train, on display on February 16 at Imagine This! and February 17 at the Rails in The Rockies XI train show at the Estes Park Conference Center on Hwy.7.

IT! Hands-on Activities in the Commons Area

[All activities and supplies are included in the $1 Admission unless otherwise noted with *.]

1. IT! Poster Display
Winners on Display all day
Awards presented at 11:55 AM on the Commons Stage
600 poster blanks were distributed to Park School District students grades 1 – 5, from which three cash winners will be selected, and two Honorable mention awards. We thank District staff members for their support of annual poster competition, and acknowledge art teacher Valerie Bowles (Elementary for her good work in the schools.

2. Making Masks - Arts Corps Volunteers Imaginary animals and creatures come to life as children decorate a mask blank with markers, glitter, stickers and assorted feathers.

3. Recycled Creativity - Nancy K. Johnson/Lifelong Learning of Estes Valley
Using paper, cardboard, Styrofoam, and other objects children create whimsical 3D sculptures

4. Caricatures* - Tim Buck/The Local Herd
In a quick draw study, this Estes Park artist will capture your image in a fun an creative style for a donation of $1.00

5. Painting Fun! - Dennis Reinke
Working in acrylic paints, this Estes Park artist will give demonstrations throughout the day. Children can experience fine art painting from one of it's masters.

6 - 7. Café IT!
Tables and chairs will placed in the heart of all of the activities for visitors enjoyment.

8. Nature Craft/Rocky Mountain National Park - Ranger Rainey Kreis
Park Ranger Kreis invite children to learn more about nature around by helping them with a special craft project.

9. Painting with Color - Oil painting demonstration by William Sitting Bull
Native American imagery comes alive as this Estes Park artist demonstrates painting techniques. Children can drawing along with the artist with paper and crayons.

10. Estes Park Performing Arts Center Display - Supporters of the Performing Arts (SOPA)
Chris Woods and Lynette Johnson will share information on the proposed new Theater at Stanley Park. The public is invited to ask questions and review site plans.

11. Static Electricity - Jim & Nancy Hughes/Estes Park Museum
The Estes Park Museum will help kids explore the magic of static electricity using their Van de Graaff machine.

12. Step Back in Time - Photograph yourself with these awesome cut outs
Bring your camera and step back in time and take a family portrait using the handpainted cutouts of a Park Ranger, boy and girl in attire from the from the turn of the century.

13. Live From Imagine This! - Kids on TV - Nick Mollé/EPTV Channel 8
Kids say the darndest things, and will have the opportunity to be interviewed in a real Television station off site setting. Great family fun.

14. Watercolor Magic/Art Center of EP - Pam England/ARTS CORPS KIDS
Join the Art Center of Estes Park for a lesson in watercolor painting by Estes Park artist, Pam England.

15. & 16. Celtic Knotwork & Percussion Instruments - Robert Keep & Shannon McGlothlen/Highland Music & Minstrel’s Gifts
An Imagine This! favorite, children can try their hand at all sorts of instruments ranging from “croaking frogs” to drums and other fascinating percussion instruments. They can also experiment with color and design patterns associated with ancient Celtic Knotwork.

17. Fish Pond – Win a Mystery Prize! Over 400 in the Pond* - Arts Council Volunteers/ARTS CORPS KIDS
For a nominal fee children can try their luck to win mystery prizes using a string tied fishing pole and magnet in a sea of available gifts.

18. Play a Stringed Instrument! - Lloyd Wm. Scott/Chamber Music Society of EP Visitors of all ages can try playing a violin and other stringed instruments under the guidance of local musicians. This booth is also one of our repeat favorites.

19. Face Painting - Arts Council Volunteers/ARTS CORPS KIDS
Unlimited designs and imagination come alive at this booth as student volunteers adorn children. Water based tattoos are also available.

20. Silent Bid Auction/Really Cool Stuff! - Over 100 items donated by Cultural Arts Council supporters!
The silent bid auction items are donated by the Estes Park community to raise funds for the Cultural Arts Council's free arts programming which amounts to about 16 events each year. The arts council operates as a privately funded non-profit organization. Premiere items include lodging in Estes Park, fine art offerings and exquisite collectibles. Other donated items include dining, services and merchandise by Estes Park’s finest businesses.
3:30 PM Silent Bid Auction Ends

21. The Secret Studio - Carissa Grewe/ARTS CORPS KIDS
This special booth has a sign, "no parents allowed". Inside, children will create a surprise art project which they can give away or send. The 2008 project will involve finding the magic colors through a drawing process.

22. Great Train Giveaway- Estes Valley Model Railroaders Club - Paul Saunders/ARTS CORPS KIDS
Every half hour the train will run it’s course. Layout and trains will be given away by random drawing on 2/17/08 at the Train Show. There are two giveaway prizes. A Harry Potter Hogwarts Express train set and the "grand prize", a Harry Potter train set with an accompanying 4x6 layout (the one running at Imagine This) The train sets were donated by Lionel with an approximate value of $300. The train layout was built by members of the Estes Park Model Railroaders Club.

23. Arts Council Information & Membership
The Cultural Arts Council of Estes Park is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts agency with a mission to ensure that the arts are an essential part of the cultural environment of the Greater Estes Valley. Information on 2008 activities, programs, exhibitions, volunteer opportunities and arts support will be available throughout the day.

24. Band Boosters Food Concession
Proceeds benefit music programs in the schools

IT! Performances on the Commons Stage
11:00 AM Riverside Ramblers, Dixieland Jazz
11:55 AM Poster Competition Awards
12:00 PM EPAMTA Students
1:00 PM Elk Hollow, Folk Music
2:00 PM Dance at Imagine This!
3:00 PM TBA

For more information about Imagine This!

Click Here for prospectus.

Call 970-586-9203
or E-mail:cacep@earthlink.net

The Cultural Arts Council of Estes Park is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and foster the arts in the greater Estes Valley.