Meet Cindy Starr

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Starr. Cindy Starr was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Betsy Botsford.

Cindy, thank you so much for joining us today. We’d love for you to bring our readers up to speed – can you introduce yourself and share your story?
My husband, David Starr is a singer songwriter and Nashville recording artist who operates Starr’s Guitars in downtown Cedaredge, Colorado. David is often on the road performing around the nation and overseas, and I am regularly accompanying him. After attending several successful concerts in distant community venues, I kept raising the question to David, “Why can’t we have a place like this in Cedaredge?”. I started interviewing venue Executive Directors and hosts to see how they started and ran their operations. I excitedly made notes, so I was prepared to pose this same question to other community members in Cedaredge. Soon thereafter, a group of art enthusiasts began meeting with the goal of establishing a local performance and art’s venue.

By September 2017, this group of citizens had organized themselves into a board of directors and an advisory council. A non-profit 501c3 was established and the site in a 1904 historic building, at 195 W Main Street was selected. Renovations and fund-raising commenced. A multitude of community members donated money and soon major donors stepped forward with sizeable contributions.

The Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center held its grand opening on June 15, 2018, less than a year after the community had launched its adventure into supporting the arts. The small group of people who came together in the basement of the local Methodist Church in August of 2017 to discuss the possibility of an arts and event center in Cedaredge: Joe
Agne, David and Cindy Starr, Terry and Perry Hotz, Judy Fairchild, Deborah Shaffer, Dea Jacobson, Trey and Mitchell Grontenthal, Jane Dupree, Mara Erwin and Nancy Snowdon spearheaded the community involvement, the fundraising, and the grant writing, and finally witnessed the reality of their collaborative dream.

On November 1, 2022, we had raised enough in donations and grants to purchase our “Forever Home” outright! This freed up several thousand dollars a month so we could appropriate the funds to programing. We host concerts, theatre, a yearly film festival, presentations, art classes, summer and after-school activities for students, movement classes, a ReFind Art Festival, Tour de Cedars Home tours and so much more!

This year will mark GMAEC’s 5th Anniversary. It is become the hub of our community as well as for the Western Slope of Colorado. We continue to strive to bring new and quality programing to our venue, and we couldn’t do it without the support of our donors, members, volunteers and patrons. The outpouring of community support continues to be incredible. In 2022, over 11,ooo people, in a town with the population of 2200, walked through our doors for events. A lot of talented people have stepped up to make this dream a reality. It has been a work of love by many and has filled a need that has long been recognized by our citizens, our community and our many visitors.

We invite you to visit Cedaredge to see the beauty of our area and the Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center!

Please tell us more about your brand, Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center
The Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center is a nonprofit, housed in an historic 1904 building that has served over the years as a general store, a bank, a movie theater, an auto repair garage, an insulation company, a health food store, and a hair salon and spa. We are proud to be a vibrant and thriving arts, cultural and educational center for our community and surrounding area. We recognize the diverse nature of our area and seek to be inclusive, compassionate and welcoming to all. GMAEC hosts concerts, theatre, a yearly film festival, presentations, art classes, summer and after-school activities for students, movement classes, ReFind Art Festival, Tour de Cedars Home tours and so much more! Our state-of-the-art Bank of Colorado Theatre has a capacity of 175, which boasts a superior sound system, professional stage lighting, a retractable movie screen, stage curtains, and a bar. Aside from stage events, the Theatre is available for weddings, classes, company parties, and more.​We have a beautiful Starr Family Gallery is a curated gallery featuring the works of local and national artists. From paintings to sculptures, the Gallery beautifully displays these works of art under professional lighting. The Gallery is also host to weddings, meetings, and lessons. On display in our Alpine Bank Classroom is the creative art of Cedaredge area students. The classroom is a perfect setting for small groups to gather for discussion, meetings, and learning. The Green Room welcomes our performers with space and comfort to relax before and after a show. Past performers are proudly displayed on the wall of the Green Room. The Green Room works well as a dressing room for weddings and performances. It also serves as offices for our Executive Director and staff.​The Vault is GMAEC’s gift shop, located in what was once a bank vault, The Vault offers gifts and memorabilia for everyone! Books by local authors, jewelry, ornaments, and other items created by local artists, t-shirts, and tote bags! The Courtyard is a beautiful outdoor area with foliage, sculptures, and a raised terrace area. It’s perfect for outdoor weddings, family reunions, and birthday parties. The New Outdoor Stage gave life to our Summer Concert Series, attracting huge crowds and musicians from across the country. With a full-service bar, food vendors, and a covered stage, musicians & patrons alike are drawn to this amazing music event. Come check it out. Our Summer Concert Series is free and open to the public!

So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by Betsy Botsford and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with Betsy.
We are very proud and it’s a privilege to have Betsy Botsford’s beautiful photography exhibit in our Starr Family Gallery! At the Artist Reception we held for her, she set an all-time attendance record. Her keen eye on landscape is like no other in her genre! Betsy has an incredibly unique talent for capturing the perfect setting… a true gift!

Website: gmaec.org

Instagram: @grandmesaartscenter

Facebook: facebook.com/grandmesaartscenter

Other: email- info@gmaec.org