Check Out Candace Hutchison’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Candace Hutchison

Hi Candace, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
It was Nancy Sander’s vision, integrating artists with community through an ambitious plan to first develop an art gallery then transition into a nonprofit, building a creative arts destination.

Leaving a horse ranch and one of Crescent City’s art galleries, Nancy moved from California to be closer to her grand kids and see what she could stir up in Laporte, CO. She opened Sanderosa Art Gallery soon after the pandemic restrictions loosened, giving not only established artists a distinct place but a haven for those who needed an esteem boost. She is like a life coach for artists, providing support and motivation when they find themselves battling their critical inner voice that tries to derail their creative efforts.

This philosophy is the underlying current flowing through the nonprofit, Northern Colorado Artist Community. Established two and a half years ago, NOCO Artist Community was formed because it affords an organization certain privileges which in turn provides a platform to offer a variety of art-focused ventures that a for-profit art gallery cannot.

Our mission is to broaden the concept of art. We believe everyone has an artist within, be it with a paint brush, spatula, garden hoe, computer, nail gun and so on. It is the essence where creativity blooms and individual uniqueness thrives. To nurture those seedlings invests in the whole person and acknowledges their inherent riches.

We have launched an array of free monthly programs to spark wonder and community: First Friday Art Walks, Tuesday Talks, In Pursuit Wednesdays and Tasty Thursdays. We are tapping into the community to find folks with intriguing and unusual stories, professions and passions and providing them with a “stage” on which to share their brilliance.

Last year we were awarded a grant from Fort Collins Rotary Club for a STEAM-related kids’ week-long summer camp. From destruction to beauty, Ink on the Wild Side created ink and art from Rist Canyon wildfire wood. The kids explored causes and preventions along with the positives and negatives of wildfire. The investigation continues this year with Ink on the Wilder Side where the kids will make ink from fruits, vegetables and spices.

We are fortunate to have two large spaces off the beaten path, marked by, none other than, a white Statue of Liberty in the parking lot. Sanderosa is home to over 100 local artists and NOCO Artist Community is a large industrial space with 30-foot ceilings and a smaller reception area. It has room to exhibit large format art and enough meeting space for networking, classes, popup art shows, etc. (These areas are available for public use; guidelines are on our website.)

We have also increased our ability to produce Giclee fine art prints. Armed with two 3D scanners, scanned images of artist’s works capture the depth of the strokes and accurate pigment colors which make the prints a true reproduction of the original.

Looking into our crystal ball, we see continual expansion. We plan to build several artist studio spaces and one of our shoots for the stars’ idea is an art/book mobile to motor through the surrounding rural area neighborhoods. We are always on the hunt for grants and donations to fuel our vision … a place where expression is encouraged, culture is praised, and diversity is embraced.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been an endless learning curve for our novice board. Each of the six female volunteers, who make up NOCO Artist Community working board, have never had any nonprofit experience. When we were applying for nonprofit status, we were challenged with learning the extensive rules & regulations in establishing and maintaining a nonprofit both organizationally and financially. It took over 6 months of regular weekly meetings to research and review the laws to ensure our structure and plan were abiding by Government policy. Now that we are a 501c3 nonprofit, we need to stay attentive to any changes in order to maintain our nonprofit status.

Last year we tackled the rigorous evaluation from the BBB. We passed the 20 standards for Charity accountability which examined such areas as effectiveness, transparency, fundraising practices and finances. We are quite proud of our achievement, being awarded BBB Charity Accreditation since we are such a young nonprofit.
Like many nonprofits, we are walking a tightrope, carefully balancing and taking each considered step with care and love and remembering to breathe. The biggest issue we face is sustainability, both financial and volunteer engagement. Developing and securing various income streams while being dedicated to offering free or low-cost programs is mighty tough. And this is interlaced with the need to tap into the hearts of folks to volunteer to shape and build a strong foundation for enduring growth.

Our mantra is pennies to thousands and minutes to days, your time and money are gratefully accepted.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Running a nonprofit organization is a kaleidoscope of opportunity. Sometimes we splash wildly in the deep end while other times our naivety is a welcomed asset. We are wide open to experimentation and possibilities, without being stunted by corporate conventionalities. We feel privileged taking on this challenging endeavor of keeping art vital.

As AI continues to march into all aspects of our lives, we deem it essential to state claims to the power of handmade. It’s an energetic bond that links us to the extensive fabric of universal creativity. Art’s reach extends beyond its originator, evolving into a collective, authentic Human Experience.

Surprise, we’re in Laporte!

Nancy Sander: Founder
Candace Hutchison: Executive Director
Linda Fitzgerald: Director of Finance
Karen John: Director of Education/Grants
Debbie Wojick: Director of Volunteers/Gallery Manager
Michele Ward: Director of Record Management
phone: 970-818-8928 Sanderosa Art Gallery – 3101 Kintzley Ct. Unit R / NOCO Artist Community – 3121 Kintzley Ct. Unit A, Laporte, CO 80535

What do you like and dislike about the city?
We love the free spirit of our place in Northern Colorado…small town, big vistas and big adventures.

Pricing:

• Gallery art work from $1.00 to several thousands
• NOCOAC basic membership $45/year
• NOCOAC business membership $100/year

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sanderosaartgallery.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanderosaartgallery
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanderosaart

Image Credits
Candace Hutchison