At the Museum of Friends, children have long been central to the story—painting murals, exploring exhibitions, and discovering their community through art. Their creativity has shaped downtown Walsenburg and filled the museum’s galleries with new ways of seeing.

Independent Voices celebrates artists whose work speaks boldly from the margins—creators who defy convention and embody the spirit of self-determination that defines the Museum of Friends. Through painting, assemblage, photography, and writing, these artists remind us that independence is a form of connection, linking creative freedom with community vitality.

The Museum of Friends is proud to present Tom Vail & Jann Vail: Shared Journey, a retrospective exhibition celebrating the couple’s five-decade creative partnership. Opening October 18, 2025, the show honors their life, love, and artistic legacy, with works that reflect a shared passion for art, music, and community.

The Museum of Friends has launched the Rural Arts Advocacy Initiative with support from a Colorado Change Leader Network Activation Grant. This statewide effort brings together cultural leaders, policy experts, and community voices to strengthen public investment in the arts, foster economic diversification, and position creative industries as a vital force in rural Colorado’s future.

The Museum of Friends in Walsenburg will host a stakeholder convening on July 17 with History Colorado and the America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission to help Southern Colorado communities align with statewide plans for Colorado’s 150th and America’s 250th anniversaries. Local leaders, artists, educators, and civic partners are invited to collaborate on creative projects that honor regional history and build future opportunities.

Calling all creatives — share your work, your process, and your passion at the 2nd Annual Huerfano Maker Convention! This free, all-ages event returns July 19, 2025, and we’re inviting local artists, makers, writers, and innovators to participate. Vendor spaces are just $10, and opportunities are open for demos, workshops, and community activities. Whether you create with your hands, your voice, or your imagination — there’s a place for you here. Sign up now: https://bit.ly/4

Museum of Friends wins 2025 Business for the Arts Award, celebrating creativity, education, and community in Southern Colorado!