Ridgway is part of the Colorado Creative Corridor, a 331-mile route through a handful of state-certified Creative District destinations, connecting Ridgway to four towns for a collective cultural experience. Our unique event programming and activities are featured alongside mountain town eclecticism, majestic vistas, outdoor recreation, and authentic Colorado mountain culture.

Ridgway galleries feature an eye-popping array of ceramics, metalwork, blown glass, photography, mixed-media works, pottery, paintings, sculptures, art glass, and authentic Native American crafts, with works by national and regional artists as well. Even the Ridgway Library and Town Hall display fantastic art exhibitions.

Galleries, studios, and shops throughout town specialize in truly unique gifts. Everyone in the family can score just the right souvenir or present for friends and relatives — from African artwork to collectible rocks, chic clothing, custom jewelry, handmade furniture, home décor with a mountaintown twist, eco-friendly instrument cases, and more.

On the first Friday of each summer month, Ridgway businesses celebrate local creativity with special open houses featuring entertainment, refreshments, product discounts, and opportunities to meet artists. These festive evenings are a great time to shop and dine under the beautiful alpenglow and amazing sunsets.

Be Guided by Your Imagination

In Ridgway, our built and curated landscapes reflect the respect we have for our history and beautiful natural scenery.

Ridgway’s trails, parks, and sidewalks feature a menagerie of public art, including more than 20 enchanting sculptures. Our love for local wildlife is exhibited by the many bronze creatures such as three eagles of varying sizes. Public Art in Ridgway (PARC) is responsible for the largest number of sculptures, with most installations in Hartwell Park. For a map of public art locations: www.publicartridgwayco.org/Walking-Tour.php.

Late Ridgway sculptor Michael McCullough started making and installing signs with poetry and art in alleys around town several years ago, and the community has continued the creative effort. Alley Poetry and Alley Art are meant to stop you in midstride: read them aloud, to yourself… slowly, quickly, photograph and Instagram them, and just enjoy them. Discover more about them at www.facebook.com/ editorinsheaf.

Ridgway FUSE: Let’s Light it up!

Ridgway believes in the creative spirit of our people. And it is a good investment! At last count, about 12% of the town’s population were employed in the arts and creative industries – among the highest per capita in the state. As one of the first state-certified Creative Districts and designated Main Street Communities, Ridgway FUSE – a Colorado Creative Main Street program brings the spark of artistic innovation to a community that prides itself on standing alone from the herd. You can see it in our streetscape. Where other communities settle for manufactured fixtures out of a catalog, Ridgway established a program to create individual works of art for our benches, planters, and other elements. When it comes to creativity, we Re-FUSE to settle. People are the power behind FUSE – we pride ourselves on being a bit rebellious, welcoming the dreamers and risk-takers, willing to stake a claim on individuality and an inclusive community. Check out the FUSE website at www.ridgway-fuse.org for up-to-the-minute listings of local happenings, an interactive map, and an ever-growing directory of local entrepreneurs and creatives.