Cottonwood Center for the Arts and The Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region (COPPR) will open “Stronger Together,” a juried exhibition featuring 34 locally created artworks honoring arts organizations across the Pikes Peak region, from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, at Cottonwood Center for the Arts, 427 E. Colorado Ave. Presented in celebration of the Cultural Office’s 20th anniversary, the exhibition will remain on view through Sept. 23 before moving to the Cultural Office from October through December in conjunction with Arts Month 2026. The show opens at the Cultural Office on Sunday, Oct. 4 from 1-4 p.m. with an Artist Mixer and Open House.
“This project brings together artists and arts organizations that are all having an impact today on our region’s creative life and have across many years,” said Angela Seals, executive director of the Cultural Office. “In its design of commissioning, purchasing and distributing new work, it supports our arts community, too.”
Cottonwood issued a public call for art this summer inviting artists to create work inspired by 34 organizations that have played significant roles in the region’s arts and cultural landscape. Artists were invited to create works inspired by the participating organizations and their contributions to the region’s cultural identity. Entries in all media and styles were considered through a juried selection process. The selected artworks are being purchased through underwriting from Herman Tiemens, providing direct financial support to participating artists. Twenty-one artists will have artwork featured in the show. At the conclusion of the exhibitions, each work will be given to the organization it represents. Purple Mountain Group at Morgan Stanley is the exhibition sponsor at Cottonwood.
The project celebrates organizations working across music, theater, visual art, dance, film, poetry, cultural heritage, youth arts and multidisciplinary programming. Organizations depicted range from longstanding institutions to newer cultural startups, reflecting both the history and breadth of the region’s creative sector.
The Sept. 4 opening is part of Cottonwood’s First Friday programming and will include two floors of open studios and galleries. Admission is free, with donations appreciated. The exhibition may also be viewed during Cottonwood’s regular business hours through Sept. 23. The exhibition will open at the Cultural Office, 287 Fountain Blvd., with a free Arts Month Artist Mixer & Open House from 1–4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4. The event will feature food, art activities and the second opening of “Stronger Together,” featuring 21 artists portraying 34 arts organizations in honor of COPPR’s 20th anniversary. The Oct. 4 event is sponsored by Cascade Investment Group.
