Colorado Springs, CO March 2026

Experience all there is to love at Garden of the Gods Resort & Club, inspiring locals for the last 75 years. Explore membership and experience world-class amenities and events, all with a backdrop of the mountains and a lively social atmosphere.

WE ARE COLORADO

With over 120 years of trusted banking experience, Central Bank is here to help make your financial goals a reality. We’re expanding our footprint in Colorado and can’t wait to meet you.

Stop by and see how you can Dream Bigger. Bank Better.

GREENWOOD VILLAGE | WESTMINSTER | COLORADO SPRINGS | DURANGO | LITTLETON

OPENING SOON: Downtown Littleton Branch

Our 5th Colorado location is opening soon in the heart of Downtown Littleton! Stop by once we open to explore all Central Bank has to offer.

SPRING IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER

Take a break from the ordinary with a spectacular escape at The Broadmoor. Whether it’s a family getaway or a romantic weekend, rest, relaxation and rewards await you with rates starting at $380* per night. Pamper your body and revitalize your mind in our luxury spa and fitness center. Savor delightful meals in our award-winning restaurants. Or take on an adventure with some of our Broadmoor experiences such as falconry, zip lining, mountain biking and more. Visit Broadmoor.com to book your escape today.

Based on space availability for select dates March through May, 2026. Not applicable to groups. Rates inclusive of Daily Resort Charge, Public Improvement Fee and excludes all taxes. Valid for new bookings only.

A COLORADO SPRINGS TRADITION

American Furniture Galleries has been furnishing fine Colorado Homes for over 104 years.

We’re committed to offering the most enduring furniture fashions, honest quality and craftsmanship, as well as the best customer service from exquisite manufacturers like Bassett, Century, Natuzzi, Stressless, Hancock and Moore, Bernhardt, Stickley and more.

www.americanfurniture.com • 719-632-6621 • 3212 E Platte Avenue 10% OFF SALE Take an additional 10% all

Home

"Home is Where the Heart Is"

Sure, it's cliché. But there is a solid reason why this simple saying has adorned walls and crossstitched pillows for generations–it conveys the idea that "home" is more than a structure. That it's about love, belonging and emotional connection.

When you close your eyes and think of home, what do you envision? Eating dinner with family in your childhood home? Playing hide-and-seek with cousins at your grandparents' home? The place where you raised your kids? Certainly, some of you picture the home you live in now, surrounded by the ones you love.

Wherever that place you picture is, what made/makes it special?

The photos hanging on the walls? The bear hugs? The savory scents wafting from the kitchen? The game nights around a well-loved table? Maybe it's the sunshine-flooded reading nook, the backyard that lent itself perfectly to friendly games of flag football or the collection of mismatched birdfeeders dangling from various trees.

The point is... the things that make a house or place feel like home often would seem inconsequential to others. They are the quirky mementoes and the simple, everyday moments that we all count on to keep us grounded.

In this issue, we celebrate the idea of home.

Read about the renovation of a local couple's second home–all the little touches that transformed it into a one-of-a-kind, custom haven.

Learn about the great pottery studios around the city where you can create your own works of art and about a camera shop that has been around for nearly 60 years and is just waiting to help you rediscover a way to preserve special moments.

Get the details about a real estate agent who believes buying a home is all about lifestyle and about a windows and doors business helping create the best homes for a century.

Check out a "nature hotel" focused on bringing the outdoors in. And finally... read all about a local gent who is building extraordinary houses for birds out of recycled materials.

Happy March and thanks for reading!

March 2026

PUBLISHER

Scott Barr | scott.barr@citylifestyle.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Stephanie Barr | stephanie.barr@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Ashley Hamershock ashley.hamershock@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Jacey Blue Renner | coloradosprings@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ashley Hamershock, Rochelle Reeder, Cara Bukacek, Jacey Blue Renner, Jessi Scoletti, Christa Hays, Brandy Lovelace

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Catie Radney, Rich Schell Interiors, Christopher Bradley, Kira Whitney Photography, SpaceCrafting Photography, Brett Neilson Photography, Mike's Camera's, Pella Windows and Doors Colorado Springs, Studio Nadeau, 22nd Street Clay, Ember & Bloom Studio, Buds Birdhouses, @MikewillTravel, @benandcherrey, @nickstirbis, @mikkellecarlson, @alloveradventures, @fr33water, @jessluann, @parkerthornton, @forgedfromthewild, @brianhollorsimagery, @justinroams, Inside Outside Nature Hotel, Crane Festival Monte Vista Chamber Commerce, CS Pioneer Museum, Wine Festival of Colorado Springs

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle

Proverbs 3:5-6

business monthly

34th Annual Wine Festival of Colorado Springs

It was born 34 years ago, making it the longest-running wine festival in Southern Colorado. This year, the festival runs March 4-7 at various locations throughout the Pikes Peak region. The focus: Wines of South America. Proceeds benefit the Colorado Springs Conservatory. Eight events, including everything from a wine and cheese pairing seminar to a gala dinner and live auction–there is something for every wine lover. winefestivalofcoloradosprings.com

Scan to read more

Monte Vista Crane Festival

Head to Monte Vista March 6-8 to witness thousands of Sandhill cranes, ducks, and geese against the backdrop of the towering peaks of the San Luis Valley. Enjoy exceptional wildlife viewing, a full slate of talks, tours, and workshops, plus the annual Craft and Nature Fair organized by the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce. Experience the charm of this welcoming rural community while enjoying the incredible natural spectacle of the Sandhill crane migration!  mvcranefest.org

PopUp Choir: "America the Beautiful"

Community members are invited to perform in a PopUp Choir commemorating the America 250/Colorado 150 anniversaries. In 1893, Katharine Lee Bates was in Colorado Springs, teaching at Colorado College. She made the trip to the top of Pikes Peak, where she created the first draft of her poem "America the Beautiful." Celebrate Bates' words through this musical experience, hosted by the Colorado Springs Youth Choir March 21 from 5-6:30 pm. Free, registration required. cspm.org/events/popup-choir-america-the-beautiful

A NATURE HOTEL

Outside Inn: A Place To Slow Down, Breathe Deeper and Rest

ARTICLE BY ROCHELLE REEDER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY OUTSIDE INN NATURE HOTEL

Benjamin Cherrey has always been chasing the horizon. At 18, he set an ambitious goal: visit 50 countries and all 50 U.S. states before turning 25. What he didn’t plan on discovering along the way was a gap, one that would eventually become his life’s work. As he road-tripped across continents

and backroads, Cherrey noticed a pattern. Staying in nature usually meant two extremes: an expensive lodge or pitching a tent. Roadside motels didn’t offer much connection to the landscape, and camping didn’t always offer rest.

“I kept thinking there had to be something in between,” he says.

TINY BEGINNINGS

That idea took physical shape in the alley behind his apartment, where Cherrey built a tiny house—quietly, ambitiously, and with no idea what was coming next. The project became the most waitlisted Airbnb in the area. He managed it while finishing graduate school, proving thoughtful design and nature didn’t need to be reserved for luxury travelers.

After working in California for a couple years, Cherrey pushed for a transfer to Denver, drawn by Colorado’s access to wild places. In June 2021, he and his wife Sarah found what they’d been searching for: a private valley outside Salida, bordered on three sides by national forest. It had dark skies, no neighbors, and yet was still close enough to town to feel connected.

“We don’t use drywall. It’s wood, glass, and some metal. The inside should feel like the outside.”

NATURE HOTEL

That land became Outside Inn—a “nature hotel” designed to help people truly rest.

Today, the operation remains intentionally small and local: a team of five builders and six cabin caretakers. Cherrey designs everything in-house under Outside Design, collaborating with architects and farming out plumbing and electrical, while keeping materials and construction deeply intentional.

“We don’t use drywall,” Cherrey explains. “It’s wood, glass, and some metal. The inside should feel like the outside.”

Three cabins a year brought the site to its current total of 12 and a Scandinavian-inspired spa on site with restrooms, showers, saunas and cold plunges.

Influences from his early travels are everywhere.

Japanese and Nordic architecture inform the clean lines, natural materials and reverence for light. One cabin is designed as a glass greenhouse wrapped in a wood exoskeleton inspired by Japanese interior structural design. Another, the Aspen Alcove, nods to Norwegian treehouses with a softly illuminated ceiling that mimics a forest canopy. The Transparent Treehouse blends the two philosophies, minimalist interiors that blur the line between inside and out.

A RETURN TO THE LAND

That philosophy extends beyond aesthetics. Ten years ago, Cherrey says, there wasn’t much science backing up what he intuitively felt about time in nature.

For most of human history, being outdoors wasn’t a lifestyle choice, it was the default. Only in recent decades have people shifted most of their lives indoors, under artificial light and constant digital noise. Researchers now suggest this separation comes at a cost. The human nervous system is inherently calibrated for natural environments, and when we return to them, the body responds almost immediately.

This idea is often described through biophilia, the innate human need to connect with nature. Studies show even brief time outdoors can lower cortisol levels, reduce resting heart rate, and move the nervous system out of “fight or flight” and into a restorative state. Mentally, nature offers a rare pause from constant stimulation, allowing the brain to recover, improve clarity and reset. The result is a feeling many people recognize instinctively: calmer, more present, and deeply refreshed.

RECALIBRATING

Outside Inn is designed around those benefits, from cell phone lock boxes that encourage digital rest, to shared saunas, cold plunges and hot tubs included with every stay.

Sleep, Cherrey believes, is foundational. So is recovery. Guests spend their days hiking, soaking and exploring Salida, a vibrant mountain town with a lively downtown that’s detailed in an in-depth guidebook provided to every visitor.

Outside Inn isn’t about escape as much as recalibration. It’s about building places where people can slow down, breathe deeper and remember what it feels like to be well.

Website: outsideinn.co

Facebook: @profile.php?id=100076197169372

Instagram: @OutsideInnNatureHotel

COLORING OUTSIDE THE LINES

RICH

SCHELL INTERIORS: CREATING A VACATION HOME WHERE ART AND JOY TAKE CENTER STAGE

When Robert Richey called Rich Schell to discuss a potential renovation of a property he was looking to buy in the heart of Scottsdale, he spoke the words every interior designer dreams of:

“You can do whatever you want to do.”

Schell traveled to Scottsdale last March to meet with Richey and his wife, Lysa, and they toured the property together. While Schell is based in the Pikes Peak region, he regularly travels to work with clients on second homes and destination properties, offering the same full-service design approach wherever a project may be located. The Richeys’ 2,200-square-foot patio home is located in an extremely desirable neighborhood that few families ever leave.

“I’d rather look at walls than blueprints,” says Schell, who founded Rich Schell Interiors in 1987.

Together, they toured the property, with Richey sharing little more than a budget, a desire for a “joyful” space and a penchant for the color blue.

AN ART-DRIVEN RETREAT

The March walkthrough was the first and last time the Richeys would see their new home, dubbed the Honeycomb Hideout, until Schell and his partner, Greg Wragge, unveiled their completed renovation.

Although previous owners had remodeled just two years earlier, the space was largely a sea of white, with vibrant wallpaper and little warmth. The Richeys desired something far more personal, and they knew Schell would fill their home with beautiful touches and visual surprises.

Schell spent months seeking out art—sourcing pieces from his own store, EVAN GUY, consignment shops in Scottsdale, the Richeys’ own collection, a private art estate sale, and even a few finds from a vacation to Cabo. He knew art would be central to transforming this home into a richly layered, art-driven retreat for the Richeys.

The grounding piece of art for the entire home was a custom piece Schell designed, combining a seven-foot Plexiglas

case, dozens of Native American Skookum dolls, a colorful Serapi blanket and turquoise embellishments.

“I love anything under Plexiglas,” says Schell with a laugh. “It’s fun to display collections. Souvenir dolls like these, from the early 1900s to the 1930s, are like something out of a museum. We wanted to treat them that way, as something really special.”

COLLABORATION AND CRAFTSMANSHIP

On the renovation side, Schell spent months working closely with 4D Construction in Scottsdale, led by Rocky and Katie Dinis, whose craftsmanship and collaboration made every detail possible. All three bathrooms were taken down to the studs and rebuilt with stunning tile, custom cabinetry sourced in Scottsdale, and barrier-free showers for agingin-place accessibility. The kitchen was opened by removing a wall, allowing for circular flow and connection to the rest of the home.

Two sliding doors were replaced with Marvin Windowsbrand sliding glass doors, and one door was removed entirely to install a large bay window in what was once a bedroom turned family room.

Color choices were essential to Schell. He chose to paint the family room Sherwin-Williams Saguaro, a warm cactus green, perfectly mirroring the Southwest setting. In the kitchen, he chose Sherwin-Williams Dark Night to add visual interest to the space and repeated the blue used on the cabinets on the family room wall.

BRINGING THE VISION TO LIFE

In December, Schell, Wragge, and their two dogs, Finn and Bandit, loaded moving trucks with carefully chosen art and furniture and drove to Scottsdale. They spent 10

days orchestrating every detail, from furniture placement to updated landscaping.

As an interior designer and an artist, Schell envisions the moments that will resonate with his clients. The Richey home was no exception.

There is the honeycomb tile in the bathroom and a Plexiglas box filled with Honeycomb cereal, a nod to the “Honeycomb Hideout” name. The Pierre Frey floral chair that Schell refers to as “a piece of art” and the green velvet custom sofa, sitting beneath the Skookum doll installation.

“It’s really a gift to be allowed to color outside the lines,” says Schell.

The Honeycomb Hideout is living proof.

What was once a blank, neutral space is now a richly layered retreat filled with warmth, heart and soul. A home where joy isn’t just present—it’s carefully, beautifully curated, reflecting the same art-driven, full-service approach Schell brings to second homes and destination projects wherever his clients call home.

Address + Phone: 1713 South 8th Street  |  Phone: 719-475-1200  Website: richschellinteriors.com Instagram: @RichSchell

616 SOUTH TEJON

THE ART OF DINING MULTIPLIED BY THREE

IT’S ABOUT LIFESTYLE

Robin Kerr: A Hands-On, Highly Personal Approach to Real Estate

ARTICLE BY ROCHELLE REEDER PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIRA WHITNEY PHOTOGRAPHY, SPACE CRAFTING PHOTOGRAPHY, BRETT NEILSON

When her life seemed to crumble around her, Robin Kerr saw no option except to use those materials to build her next chapter. It was her perspective that kept her moving in a time when motivation became an intentional choice.

She had limited time to create a career for herself. The four-year degree she forewent while raising her family wasn’t going to fit into that timeline. After 20 years as a homemaker, Kerr leaned into her strengths. Real estate and investing felt like a natural extension of the life she had already been living. She understood homes not as products, but as systems; places that either support daily life or quietly complicate it.

LIVED EXPERIENCES

She knew the details first-time buyers often overlook. Kitchen layouts matter. Laundry rooms on the same level as bedrooms save time and energy. Storage, its location and availability, can determine whether a home feels peaceful or perpetually cluttered. Bedroom placement, school districts, metro districts and water restrictions all shape how a home functions long-term. These weren’t abstract concepts to Kerr; they were lived experience.

A Colorado Springs native, Kerr had experience on the investor side of real estate, focused on renovating, improving homes thoughtfully and with longevity in mind. She became licensed seven years ago and pivoted fully into advisory work in 2018, just as the market began to shift. It was a moment that required discernment, not urgency.

INTENTION + STRATEGY

“Real estate is always opportunity,” Kerr says. “The ‘right time’ is when you need to make a move. Everything else is strategy.” From helping first-time buyers navigate creative paths into homeownership to advising seasoned owners on strategic upsizing, Kerr focuses on using equity as a tool for stability and long-term wealth. Colorado Springs remains a strong market, even as others fluctuate. While headlines often focus on interest rates and pricing, Kerr points to nuance, specific neighborhoods holding value, buyers becoming more intentional and sellers needing to be more strategic. The days of snap decisions are largely gone. Today’s buyers are educated, patient and focused on long-term outcomes. Sellers, in turn, must prioritize quality, pricing strategy and presentation.

HANDS-ON, PERSONAL APPROACH

For Kerr, real estate has never been just about the house. It’s about lifestyle. Colorado Springs offers access to trails, mountains, skiing, as well as iconic views of Pikes Peak. Some clients are drawn to central neighborhoods; others are seeking space for homesteading or hobby farming in areas like Falcon and Peyton. Her process begins with a buyer consultation that centers on identity, how clients live, what they value and what they want their days to feel like.

“The ‘right time’ is when you need to make a move. Everything else is strategy.”

Real estate, she believes, is deeply emotional. Transactions often coincide with major life changes like marriage, divorce, children, downsizing or loss. In those moments, data matters, but empathy matters more—if you don’t love being at home, you’re in the wrong one.

As a solo agent with Compass, Kerr offers a hands-on, highly personal approach supported by a powerful technological platform. Compass allows her to operate as a local business with national reach, off-market opportunities, seamless transactions and informed decision-making without sacrificing relationships.

INVESTED IN THE COMMUNITY

Rooted in the Colorado Springs community, Kerr is service-minded and

deeply invested in the city’s success. As part of the Peak Producers in Colorado Springs, she helped raise and donate $167,000 to local organizations last year alone, including Springs Rescue Mission, DreamCenters Mary’s Home, and Reclaiming Hope.

Her story is proof that pivots don’t require starting over, just starting honestly. With experience, perspective and intention, Robin Kerr continues to help others build homes that support the lives they’re becoming.

Phone: 719-440-2525

Website: coloradospringscollective.com

Facebook:

@RobinChambonTheCuttingEdgeRealtors

Instagram: @RobinSells_ColoradoSprings

A micro docuseries featuring our customer’s stories from the far m.

Watch the trailer using the QR code and follow along in the series.

CAPTURING TIME; CONNECTING PEOPLE

ARTICLE BY CHRISTA HAYS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE'S CAMERA

Photography has a unique power. It freezes a fleeting moment, preserves an emotion, and tells a story that can span a lifetime. As Mike Dobson from Mike’s Camera puts it, photography is “the closest thing to time travel that we have—a way to capture moments from womb to tomb.”

"Photography is truly the world's greatest hobby."

For nearly six decades, Mike’s Camera has helped people do just that.

STEADY GROWTH

Mike’s Camera first opened its doors in 1967 at its original location in Boulder, Colorado. Owned by the Christianian family, the store took over the space of another camera shop and quickly established itself as a trusted local resource. What began as a single store has grown steadily, expanding in 2012 and now serving communities across Colorado and Northern California.

The company’s growth mirrors the journey of Mike Dobson himself. He started with Mike’s Camera in 1998 as a lab technician and worked his way through the organization as the business expanded and evolved. Today, his story reflects the company’s culture: learn the craft, grow with intention, and share your knowledge with others.

REDISCOVERING PRINT PHOTOGRAPHY

Mike’s Camera offers products for every kind of photographer—compact digital cameras, advanced digital systems, film cameras and everything in between.

While mobile phones may be the “gateway drug” to photography, Mike is quick to point out their limitations. A phone can capture a moment, but dedicated cameras offer greater creative control, depth and output. More importantly, Mike’s Camera encourages photographers to go beyond scrolling through images on a screen and to rediscover the emotional connection of print—something tangible you can hold, share and pass down.

EDUCATION + EXPERTISE

Education is at the heart of Mike’s Camera’s mission. Photography is not just a solitary pursuit; it’s a social outlet. Through classes, hands-on workshops, critiques, photo contests, sponsorships and

partnerships with local photo clubs, Mike’s Camera brings together the young (and older), amateur and professional photographers alike. These opportunities help people grow their skills, gain confidence and engage with a like-minded creative community.

At its core, Mike’s Camera sees itself as a “toy shop.” Cameras are a want, not a need—and that’s part of the joy.

“Photography is truly the world’s greatest hobby,” Dobson says, adding that it’s made better by expert guidance.

At Mike’s Camera, customers don’t just buy a camera; they find the right camera for their needs and a team ready to walk them through how to use it and maximize its potential. The result is a personal, welcoming experience rooted in expertise and care.

With a clear vision focused on quality products, professional service, personal growth and community involvement, Mike’s Camera continues to grow the message of photography—one captured moment at a time.

Address + Phone: 5420 N. Academy Blvd  | 719-597-1575

Website: mikescamera.com

Facebook: @MikesCamera

Instagram: @MyMikesCamera

100 CELEBRATING YEARS

Having grown from a small roll screen company to a national industry leader, Pella Corporation has much to celebrate as the company embarks on its 100th anniversary.

THE HISTORY

Founded in 1925, Peter and Lucille Kuyper invested $5,000 to purchase the Rolscreen Company, a small business near Des Moines, Iowa, that manufactured a unique, roll-up window screen.

“Peter and Lucille’s primary motivation was to create jobs in their hometown of Pella, Iowa,” says Dave Fleming, general manager of trade sales at Mountain View Pella.

They did more than that. Through the Great Depression and post-war economic boom, innovation remained at the forefront of the company.

THE BOOM

The 1950s introduced wood folding doors. The 1960s brought the first double-hung window. The 1970s introduced the low-maintenance aluminum-clad wood window. Pella pivoted in its innovation techniques and “expanded its distribution network to adapt to the ever-changing market,” Fleming says.

In 1985, the first Pella Window Store opened to cater to upscale retail buyers. In 1992, it officially changed its name to Pella Corporation to reflect its broad product line and connection to the community. As the 2000s entered, Pella Corporation grew rapidly, was recognized as one of Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work for” and continued the rank for six consecutive years.

THE HERE AND NOW

Pella Corporation specializes in high-quality windows, patio doors, multislides, bifolds and entry doors in wood, fiberglass, and vinyl for residential and commercial products. Their services include professional installation, design consultation and replacement solutions. What started as a desire to improve a community in Iowa has now expanded across the country, improving the homes and lives of its customers.

“Pella has focused on technology advancements and holds over 150 product and design patents,” Fleming says.

With about 250 showrooms and nearly two dozen manufacturing facilities across the United States, Colorado holds two customer experience centers in Colorado Springs and Grand Junction and three boutique

showrooms in Trinidad, Buena Vista and Pueblo. To experience the award-winning customer center here in the Springs, Pella is conveniently located near Woodman and I-25 next to Furniture Row.

LOCAL LOYALTY TO THE NATIONAL NAME

“What began as a tale of entrepreneurship and dedication, Arrow Glass Co. was founded by George White in the early 1960s, which paved the way for what Mountain View Pella represents today in the state of Colorado,” Fleming explains.

George White, a man with an unwavering commitment to excellence and community, established Arrow Glass with a simple yet powerful mission: to provide exceptional glass products and services that elevate the homes and businesses of Grand Junction.

As Arrow Glass expanded its reach to encompass residential, commercial, automotive and architectural projects, it became clear that a commitment to customer satisfaction was the driving force behind its growth. The family, led by Randy White and son-in-law Chris Pettofrezzo, continue George White’s legacy with the partnership of Pella Corporation. Just as George White pioneered innovation and integrity, Pella has upheld those very principles in its decades of experience. This consolidation brings together not just two names but two legacies, creating a synergy that’s poised to redefine excellence in the industry.

THE LONG GAME

How does a business distinguish itself from the rest and create a legacy for over a century?

“Pella focuses on high performance, proprietary materials like Impervia fiberglass, the number one wood clad line in America and superior energy efficiency coupled with honesty, integrity, making things right and a people-focused culture,” Fleming says.

Known for its “Pella passion,” Pella offers rigorous testing that exceeds industry standards, a strong limited lifetime warranty and is recognized for its unique, patented features such as blindsbetween-the glass and the Easy-Slide door. With innovation and employee growth at the top of their game, Pella has catapulted into a household name and a leading company in the U.S.

Address + Phone: 6380 Corporate Centre Cir., Suite 175  |  719-634-6151

Website: pella.com/locations/colorado-springs

Facebook: @PellaWindowsAndDoors

Instagram: @PellaWindows

Visit These Pottery and Clay Studios in Colorado Springs

Ground Yourself in Art

As winter begins to shed its frigid temps (hopefully!), March marks a perfect seasonal shift to get out of hibernation-mode and explore more of what colors the local Colorado Springs community. Our art scene is both creative and robust, with makers traveling across the globe to experience what Colorado has to inspire. For locals, travel can be minimal and neighborhood centric. These four pottery and clay studios offer classes, special events and studio space to find your calm and hone your craft.

ARTICLE BY JACEY BLUE RENNER

PHOTOGRAPHY

BY

STUDIO NADEAU, 22ND STREET CLAY & EMBER & BLOOM STUDIO

Studio Nadeau

Founded by renowned and celebrated artist, Ellen Nadeau, and nestled in the Broadmoor neighborhood, Studio Nadeau brings the love of art and teaching to locals. From wheel throwing to handbuilding to creating advanced wall pieces, the studio space is tailored to all levels of potters. Special events, including visiting guest artists, and private lessons give artists the learning space to grow. For artists looking for private studio space, independent artists may join the studio and have access and time to create. Visit Studio Nadeau’s website to explore her class lists.

Pro Tip: Consider grabbing your love and booking a private lesson for two. Just two hours, the two of you, and what might be your new favorite keepsake (and hobby).

2997 Broadmoor Valley Road  |  nadeau.com

Filling the niche for all things pottery and clay on the west side of our glorious city, lies 22nd Street Clay. Inside you’ll meet potter Tina Smith, who discovered her own love of clay within the studio, where she has been teaching artists and sharing her passion for the last five years. You’ll find group lessons, semi-private and private lessons, and classes almost every day of the week, with rotating workshops. From pottery mugs to stoneware, horsehair to decorative pottery, 22nd Street Clay offers multitudes of techniques for each potter. Which will you try first?

Pro Tip: Visit the Tina Smith Pottery shop online for gorgeous and one-of-a-kind pieces, perfect for gifts or your own private art collection.

2201 Bott Ave.  |  22ndstreetclay.net

Ember & Bloom Studios

Newly opened downtown, Ember & Bloom is curating a community-rooted studio and resource space where everyone belongs and feels respected. Whether you’re a professional or a newcomer to the craft, Ember & Bloom has an intentional place for you and your vision. Their thoughtful and collaborative classes like their Carved Luminaries Workshop, Pottery for Light and Intention, or Pottery for Letting Go, offer potters’ hands grounding ideals in the claywork. For the dedicated artisans, Ember & Bloom also offers firing and in-studio memberships, giving potters a space to carve out their own process, on their own timeline.

Pro Tip: Check out their parent-child nights for creating as a duo and creating core memories with your littlest makers. Play is the focus, not perfection.

2132 E. Bijou St.  |  emberandbloomstudios.com

Paint & Fire Pottery

With more than 12 years in the community, the pair of sisters who founded Paint & Fire Pottery are sharing their love of ceramics with Colorado Springs. Encouraging a fun and family-friendly experience, Paint & Fire offers guests the space to choose an individual ceramic piece, paint it in-house, and have it glazed and fired before driving it home to show your loved ones why painting ceramics is a vibrant and cathartic practice. From seasonal decor to more classic items like vases and bowls, Paint & Fire Pottery has ceramics for every budding artist.

Pro Tip: Feeling like you want to paint your ceramics at home? Choose an item for takeaway painting, and bring it back to the studio when it’s ready to glaze and fire.

4857B North Academy Blvd.  |  paintandfirepottery.com

BUD ’S BIRDHOUSES: WHERE ART AND NATURE ROOST TOGETHER

ARTICLE BY CARA BUKACEK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BUD'S BIRDHOUSES

WHIMSICAL HOMES

FOR FEATHERED FRIENDS

Bud Smoot isn’t the type of guy who is content to sit around in his retirement. After running a successful advertising agency for over 20 years and then pivoting to carpentry as a tradeshow exhibit builder, he decided his golden years would be spent in his workshop, creating works of art.

Woodworking is in Smoot’s blood.

“Both of my grandfathers were carpenters, and I began learning the trade when I was around 10 to 12 years old,” Smoot says. “Because of this, I have always been a pretty handy guy.”

INSPIRATION

When Smoot retired, he enjoyed spending his days tinkering in his shop making furniture and other items for his family and friends. Always looking for inspiration for another project, it was a humble birdhouse that turned out to be the catalyst for a future business.

“I saw this birdhouse and knew I could improve the design,” he says. “I researched the native birds in my area to make sure the measurements would be functional and I also made sure to add a cleanout door to make it easy to remove the old materials. I then decided to utilize upcycled items to turn each birdhouse into one-of-a-kind works of art.”  Initially, Smooth gave his birdhouse creations as gifts to friends and family. They were such a hit that he was encouraged to sell them to the public.

BUD’S BIRDHOUSES

Smoot began selling his birdhouses to the public about 15 years ago at local art shows. His creations were an instant hit, and it wasn’t long before he needed an official website and social media presence.

“I am not a tech guy and I was very fortunate to have family who was willing to help me in that department,” he says. “My son-in-law created my website and still maintains it to this day. My daughter handles the photography and my social media accounts and content. I am very fortunate.”

In 2020, during the covid pandemic, Smoot approached local Colorado boutiques to carry his birdhouses. Bud’s Birdhouses now can be found at various Colorado locations including, but not limited to: Hunt & Gather, Squash Blossom, Garden of the Gods Trading post, The Local (Parker), The Monument Mercantile (Monument), Finders Keepers (Palmer Lake), as well as in various mountain towns around the state.

As his business presence has grown, so has the demand. In fact, over the past three years, Smoot has built an average of about 600 birdhouses per year. You may wonder how many he typically makes per day to keep up with this demand?

“I now have around 32-33 different birdhouse designs. Some have a simpler design and some are very intricate,” he says. “I can make around six per day of the simple designs and the more intricate designs take much longer. In addition to building the birdhouses, I also spend a lot of time scouring second-hand stores looking for items that I can upcycle into my creations. I take pride in the fact that my birdhouses are made entirely from recycled items.”

Many of Smoot’s customers collect his birdhouses, which has motivated him to add a new design to his collection each year. His new designs are typically inspired by the interesting objects and trinkets he finds on his thrifting adventures.

Website: budsbirdhouses.weebly.com Instagram + Facebook @BudsBirdhouses

THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE SHOULD BE AT HOME...

HOUSEPLANTSThe Perfect Roommate

AN INDOOR GARDEN SANCTUARY

There are many science-based benefits to having houseplants in the home and office environment.

The ubiquitous houseplant has long been a cautious curiosity for many. Comments such as “I don’t have a green thumb,” or “I can’t keep anything alive,” have echoed through the rooms and hallways of almost every home in America. Well, it’s time to dispel all the mistruths about whether houseplants are beneficial and to lay the foundation for a little oasis of green happiness in the corner of every home!

By the way, you don’t really need a green thumb as there are plenty of hard-to-kill houseplants that can survive any level of neglect! And remember not only do houseplants look pretty, they also decrease stress and anxiety, increase happiness, and bring a sense of joy and relaxation to every room.

Houseplants make us feel better about ourselves in many ways because they allow us to care for them and we reap the rewards of that love. No one is alone when you have a houseplant, as they are our forever listeners. Yes, some people actually do talk with their houseplants all day long! There are

ARTICLE BY SEAN O’KEEFE

many science-based benefits to having houseplants in the home and office environment. Aside from reducing indoor air pollutants and increasing humidity in the home, house plants have been shown to reduce mental fatigue, accelerate the healing process, as well as improve productivity and focus.

Pothos, spider plants, lady palms, yucca, and succulents are so pretty and easy to grow. It is no wonder that we have seen a revival of indoor gardening trends.  Instagram is teeming with photos of incredible indoor “living green” vignettes that show us all how clever we can be when decorating with house plants! All you really need is to a pick a place in the home that has the best light and pick your plants.

Think outside of the box when it comes to decorating with houseplants. Look for underused spaces. Use mixed and matched pots of different sizes and shapes. Turn a shelf into a plant display. Go vertical with some hanging plants or an antique ladder. You can even group some of your favorite plants together into a single large decorative pot.

Signature large plant displays anchor the most well-designed rooms in America and it’s all there for us to look at, learn from, and bring into our own home. Whether combined into a single large decorative pot or clustered together in a corner, always remember the key to any house plant décor is to have a thriller, a tall plant usually with a strong color and form; filler plants that literally will fill the pot covering all the soil; and a spiller plant that trails over the edge of the pot. Try any combination of your favorite plants or a tried and true combination of a fiddle-leaf fig, a prayer plant, and a string of pearls.

No matter how you look at it, houseplants improve our lives in many ways. Indoor gardens provide us an alternative way to commune with nature and to reconnect with the living world. We all benefit from the additional life that houseplants bring into our homes. In this crazy world of ours, wouldn’t be it nice to return home to your own personal indoor greenspace?

Happy gardening!

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

MARCH 6TH

Spring Exhibitions Opening Celebration

Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College | 5:00 PM

Spend First Friday celebrating the opening of two new museum exhibitions at the Fine Arts Center: Ana María Hernando: Cantando Bajito (Singing Softly) and Where I Learned to Look: Art from the Yard. Explore all current museum exhibitions throughout the evening for free! Plus, enjoy live music from the Colorado College Bluegrass Ensemble. Food and drinks available for purchase. fac.coloradocollege. edu/event/spring-exhibitions-opening-on-first-friday/

MARCH 7TH

Guided Snowshoe Hikes on Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak | 10:00 AM

Join a Pikes Peak Ranger for an easy outdoor adventure. Beginner-Friendly Snowshoeing: This 90-minute guided program is designed for beginners and includes snowshoe basics and winter safety. Participants will meet at the Pikes Peak Gateway at 9:45 am to pick up snowshoes and poles before driving partway up the mountain. The pace is easy, though terrain may be steep. pikespeakcolorado.aluvii. com/store/shop/categoryproducts?id=1&offSet=420&categoryId=11

MARCH 9TH

Heart

Broadmoor World Arena | 7:30 PM

Heart is an American/Canadian rock band formed in 1973 in Vancouver. 1975 saw its first album  Dreamboat Annie break out to global success. Heart effortlessly blends the sounds of ‘70s hard rock and acoustic rock, punk and even at times symphonic, influencing a wide range of mainstream and underground artists in a career spanning nearly five decades. broadmoorworldarena.com/events/detail/heart

MARCH 10TH

History Lost & Found: The Search for Colorado’s Oldest Records

Western Museum of Mining and Industry | 4:00 PM

Hear from Larry Obermesik as he speaks on his discovery of long lost El Paso County Claim record books. These records, some dating back to the late 1850s, provide invaluable insights into the formation of Old Colorado City, the precursor to Colorado Springs, and the Pikes Peak region in general during the Gold Rush era. wmmi.org/news-events/monthly-lecture.html

MARCH 14TH

Women of the World Fashion Show

COS City Hub, 4304 Austin Bluffs Pkwy | 4:00 PM

The Women of the World Fashion Show is a multicultural arts and cultural fashion experience, held annually during Women’s History Month. Entering its fourth year, this vibrant celebration has welcomed more than 1,000 guests and continues to grow. A portion of proceeds support the Boss Babe Academy, a national leadership and development program for girls aged 11 to 18. bossbabenetworking.com/events

MARCH 14TH

Film Screening: From Sea to Shining Sea

Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum | 2:00 PM

America the Beautiful may be America’s most beloved song. But few know about the fascinating life of the writer behind it. This film explores the rich life of poet, professor and social reformer Katharine Lee Bates. As we approach America's 250th anniversary, Bates’ story reminds us of the beauty and ideals of our nation as well as its shortcomings.  secure.qgiv.com/for/coloradospringspioneersmuseum/ event/2026lectureseries

JULIE KAY DESIGN STUDIO + Storefront