New exhibit celebrates 125 years of Chautauqua

MUSEUM OF BOULDER

1898 landmark welcomes climbers, hikers, diners, music lovers, artists

The Chautauqua Auditorium hosts a variety of acts throughout the year. The on-site music venue, among other aspects of the Colorado landmark, is spotlighted in the exhibit “Chautauqua: 125 Years at the Heart of Boulder” that opened this month at Museum of Boulder. PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTINA RUSCH — THE DAILY CAMERA

Visitors to Colorado Chautauqua gather at the Rest Cottage, circa 1900. The landmark opened in 1898. PHOTO COURTESY OF COLORADO CHAUTAUQUA — DAILY CAMERA

Maria Watson and her son, Augustine, 2, check out the bears on March 18 at the second annual Winter Art In The Park. CLIFF GRASSMICK — DAILY CAMERA FILE

Samantha Fish performs at Chautauqua Auditorium in May. PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTINA RUSCH — DAILY CAMERA

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By Kalene McCourt

Daily Camera

Since the late 19th century, The Colorado Chautauqua has provided a haven for locals and visitors seeking entertainment, education, lodging, dining and plenty of breathtaking views.

The Front Range landmark’s rich history will be showcased in Museum of Boulder’s diverse exhibit “Chautauqua: 125 Years at the Heart of Boulder.”

From weddings to high-energy concerts at the campus’ acoustically pleasing barn-like auditorium, the picturesque property — nestled at the foot of the Flatirons — has served as the backdrop for memorable events of all kinds.

“We are hoping visitors gain new understanding of the evolution of the Colorado Chautauqua, especially the remarkable continuity from 125 years ago to today, as well as illustrating how much we value our role at the heart of the Boulder community,” said Liza Purvis, Colorado Chautauqua’s director of marketing, who spearheaded the project. “Since 1898, people have come to Chautauqua for relaxation and inspiration in Boulder’s most magical setting.”

Purvis has worked hard to design a living, breathing time capsule of sorts spotlighting the roots of Colorado Chautauqua as well as the modern amenities and offerings it delivers today.

“The most rewarding part of curating this exhibit was helping that amazing story come to life through archival images, curated music tracks, video and artwork,” Purvis said.

Live music is an integral part of the Front Range’s appeal. In addition to the stages of the Fox Theatre and the Boulder Theater hosting iconic artists, Chautauqua has welcomed an impressive roster of performers of all genres through the years.

“The list of artists who have chosen to perform Chautauqua is long and impressive, including such greats as B.B. King, Joan Baez and Lyle Lovett,” Purvis said. “Once artists experience the great acoustics of the auditorium and the astounding natural setting, they want to come back.”

At the Museum of Boulder exhibit, music fans can relive some recent captivating performances or perhaps get a taste of shows they missed.

“This has given Boulder repeat visits from international names like Keb’ Mo’, The Gipsy Kings and the Indigo Girls,” Purvis said. “At the exhibit, visitors can view video of a recent auditorium concert and download a playlist featuring Chautauqua’s greatest hits.”

“I can’t wait to see the execution of (Liza Purvis’) vision for the auditorium and concert portion of the exhibit,” said Danny Cohen, Colorado Chautauqua’s public events manager. “Chautauqua has an incredibly rich and storied past when it comes to shows, and I love history. So it should be really interesting to see those aspects displayed for public enjoyment and education.”

From being the locale of the Boulder International Film Festival in June 2021 to capturing the magic and cheer of the holiday season during annual WinterFests, Chautauqua consistently provides experiences for those of all ages and interests.

“We can’t wait for the community to discover it all, and we hope the exhibit will encourage people to visit Chautauqua and take advantage of all the special events and festivities we have in store for them in 2023,” said Shelly Benford, CEO of Colorado Chautauqua.

Benford has been working at Chautauqua for nearly seven years, a time she credits with allowing her to see the pivotal role this vibrant landmark has played in the lives of many.

“I have lived in Boulder for about 25 years, but it wasn’t until I began working at Chautauqua that I understood how truly important this place is to our community,” Benford said.

She is hopeful that the new exhibit will motivate others to give back to Chautauqua in a variety of ways. “One of our main goals is to make a compelling case for community support by positioning Chautauqua as an essential community resource,” Benford said. “Not many people know that we are a nonprofit with full responsibility for funding the preservation and protection of Boulder’s only National Historic Landmark.”

From buying memberships and gift certificates to ordering commemorative bricks installed along Colorado Chautauqua’s Centennial Garden, the options to support the local treasure are vast.

“The more community support we receive, the more we can offer affordable community events and the more we are able to implement the many sustainability and resilience initiatives we have planned, including those needed for infrastructure improvements and wildfire prevention,” Benford said.

The staff has worked hard to dot the campus with original art, such as the 15 artist-painted life-size bears that will be up through April 16 as part of the Art in the Park Program.

Colorado Chautauqua also has been a steady muse for artists looking to capture its natural beauty on canvas.

“We included a small selection of original works by women artists of different eras, curated by our archivist Kate Gerard, and her commentary forms part of the exhibit,” Purvis said.

Nowadays, artists participating in Boulder’s Open Studios for the organization’s annual Plein Air Festival still set up easels and create original work.

The exhibit also will spotlight the significant work of African-American entrepreneur O.T. Jackson, the first manager of Chautauqua Dining Hall and founder of Weld County’s agricultural community Dearfield.

Although Chautauqua is celebrating this milestone year with a truly varied display, organizers also are planning a community event in Chautauqua’s 125th birthday month of July.

Lori Preston, Museum of Boulder’s executive director, has fond memories of exploring the trails with her son and belaying a friend who bravely climbed one of the Flatrions.

Chautauqua also has been a place where community members can gather post-tragedy, including the mass shooting in March 2021 at the Table Mesa King Soopers.

“One of the most moving experiences for me was participating in the engagement of the attendees from South Boulder as we reflected and absorbed the tragedy of the mass shooting by viewing portraits by Ross Taylor and talking with mental health leaders, victim advocates, families and friends of those who were impacted,” Preston said.

“Chautauqua: 125 Years at the Heart of Boulder” will be up through April 2.