Weehawken Montrose

Founded in 2004 by Susie Opdahl and a group of volunteers, Weehawken Creative Arts has grown from a small local initiative into a multi-location nonprofit serving Southwest Colorado. Our mission centers on high-quality arts education, personal growth programs, and cultural events that enrich lives across Ridgway, Ouray, and Montrose. We offer hundreds of classes annually for all ages and skill levels, ranging from toddlers taking their first dance steps to adults exploring painting, aerial arts, and creative writing. Beyond the classroom, we nurture the regional creative economy through 610 Arts Collective, a professional gallery space in downtown Ridgway that showcases work from more than 100 local artists each year. Our programming also includes major community celebrations like the Ridgway Rendezvous juried Arts Festival and Fête de la Musique, a free outdoor music event held every June. Accessibility remains core to our identity; we provide scholarships and work-trade opportunities to ensure arts are available regardless of background or income. This fall, we are expanding our footprint with a new home in Montrose at 28 West South 4th Street. This nearly 10,000-square-foot space will consolidate our Montrose programs under one roof, featuring five active classrooms for dance, aerial, and visual arts, along with a central gathering lobby and an outdoor courtyard for performances and events. We look forward to welcoming students, families, and teachers into this new hub for creativity.