Meet Rebecca Baum of Pikes Peak Artist Collective in Old Colorado City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Baum.

Rebecca, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Throughout my life I have had a strong awareness of and attraction to the beauty in all things; I am excited to bring my passion for beauty, design and people to Pikes Peak Artist Collective. As a life-long artist, I have been a painter, jewelry maker, and a ceramic artist. I appreciate the beauty in all forms of art but I find my primary medium for creative expression is working with clay. Through my appreciation of creative expression, I want to collaborate with other art educators to support the growth of artists in Colorado Springs.

My experience at the University of Oregon allowed me to explore art and creative expression and enriched my passion as an artist. My Environmental Studies degree at the University of Oregon furthered my appreciation of the natural world providing me with multicultural experiences in Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. From those experiences I came to appreciate the changing world we are apart of and the importance that fostering the expression of creativity is necessary for the sustainability of a healthy world.

After moving to Colorado Springs from Pennsylvania with my husband Casey, I met Marcie Anderson owner of Studio 101 that was originally started by Rhonda Conn-Parent. My progression into ownership in 2019 was natural and an inspiration to honor the history of the studio and keep what has been created as a viable part of the community. We look forward to continuing to provide a supportive and comfortable art education center for both children and adults.

My goal is to see resident artists creating in a nurturing space that enhances expression, surrounded by the artwork for sale in the gallery by children and adults, with various teachers providing different perspectives and skills, and a ceramic art guild for local knowledge-sharing workshops and holiday art shows. As a community, we can support one another, inspire our souls and thrive. Most of all, I am excited to continue to grow our studio, inspire our community and learn how we can collectively enable the expression of art in Colorado Springs.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Changing ownership, re-branding and moving locations are significant changes to a business that takes time to recover from. These changes happened from February 2019 to May 2019. We are currently trying to create awareness of our art offerings to children and adults. Reaching out to the community to create interest and awareness takes time. We are looking for ways to build a relationship with other organizations. Some examples of relationships we would like to foster include; the 50+ community, special needs, housing development community centers, nature centers, sponsorship for low-income students, home school population and art therapy.

Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
Pikes Peak Artist Collective (PPAC) is an art education studio. We specialize in a wide variety of mediums taught by a wide variety of teachers. PPAC started as Studio 101, 20 years ago by Rhonda Conn-Parent. Through her supportive and unique teaching methods, students called it an oasis. This still rings true today. We provide a beautiful, comfortable and supportive environment through our space, our teachers and teaching philosophies. PPAC believes that a happy and healthy society is one in which the community is supported, inspired and creative expression flows freely. We are proud to provide an art oasis to children and adults. We are located in the thriving art district of Old Colorado City, located near Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak and Manitou Springs.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I wish I had worked harder at fostering as many relationships as possible when I purchased the business in February 2019.

Pricing:

• Monthly memberships 100 – 200 per month (including materials and 4 lessons)
• Workshops 25+

Contact Info:

• Address: 2708 West Colorado Ave.
  Suite C
  Colorado Springs, CO 80904
• Website: https://www.pikespeakartist.com/
• Phone: 717.875.5200
• Email: rebecca@pikespeakartist.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppacstudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPACStudio/

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