In 1972, a vast stretch of orange nylon billowed across the Colorado sky. Suspended high in Rifle Gap between two rugged cliffs, Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Valley Curtain lasted just 28 hours before strong winds forced it down. Yet, in that brief moment, it left an impression that would endure for decades — not only on the art world but on the landscape itself and on how we view creative beginnings.
For those who saw it, the Valley Curtain was more than just an art piece — it was a moment of revelation. The vibrant, flame-colored fabric seemed to dance with the wind, catching the morning light and turning a familiar valley into a living work of art. It posed a bold question: Can a first impression alter how we perceive everything that comes after?
That question feels right at home here, as Arts Perspective begins again.
Like Christo’s curtain unfurling in the Colorado sun, this rebirth is about daring to see things differently. It’s about stretching wide across the landscape of creativity in the Southwest and allowing the light to hit in new ways. We return this fall with renewed energy, a deeper sense of place, and a continued belief that art — whether monumental or intimate — has the power to change how we see our world and each other.
The Valley Curtain was one of our most iconic early covers — a reminder of how bold the arts can be, and how fleeting beauty often carries the deepest meaning. Christo and Jeanne-Claude understood that impermanence doesn’t lessen art; it enhances it. The same is true for the creative spirit that flows through our region: artists, musicians, writers, and dreamers whose work captures moments that can never be exactly repeated — only remembered, felt, and shared.
As Arts Perspective reopens its curtain, we begin again — not from scratch, but from experience. We start with gratitude for the artists who have painted, danced, composed, and built our cultural landscape. And we step forward with curiosity for what’s next: the new voices, fresh ideas, and first impressions yet to come.
Because beginnings aren’t just about starting — they’re about seeing. And sometimes, all it takes is a curtain lifted against the Colorado sky to remind us of what’s possible.
