With the Arkansas River rushing along its northwestern boundary and the Collegiate Peaks rising just beyond, the foothill town of Salida, Colorado, has always embraced the natural bounty of its location.
Indeed, despite its misleading name (salida means “exit” in Spanish), the easygoing enclave has long served as an entryway for outdoor adventure. But as one of Colorado’s first Certified Creative Districts, Salida has a rich interior life as well; the town’s culture supports a colorful tapestry of culinary craftsmen, beverage innovators, visual artists, and other talented makers, positioning itself as a can’t-miss stop along the Colorado Creative Corridor.
For a town of its size (just over 7,000 year-round residents), Salida has a surprisingly robust art scene. Its downtown area is brimming with galleries and artists’ studios. At The Michael Clark Gallery and Studio, you can browse original plein-air-style works depicting grand Centennial State terrain. Or consider a scenic oil painting by Joshua Been. Described as “impressionistic realism,” Been’s loose-yet-structured handiwork is the perfect way to bring a bit of Salida’s unique vibe home with you. Brodeur Studio Gallery delivers you into the whimsical world of Paulette Brodeur, whose eclectic background has spawned a wide range of colorful landscape, abstract and expressionist works.
Four Winds Gallery’s abstract oil and mixed media paintings evoke a bright spectrum of landscapes, constellations, and emotions — as well as handmade local jewelry and pottery. For handmade functional ceramics, stop by The Maverick Potter, where much of the work in the gallery is made on-site. The fun and funky collection of local treasures at Eye Candy features everything from turquoise-inlaid bristlecone pine vases to found-object sculptures. Meanwhile, the Riveting Experience Jewelry gives its guests the opportunity to stretch their creative muscles with hands-on jewelry making using materials like shiny metals, beads, and semi-precious gems.
Given that it’s equal parts artsy and adventurous, it’s no surprise that Salida is home to people who prefer to make their own outdoor gear by hand. Tuff River Stuff makes handcrafted, highly specialized gear serving Salida’s whitewater rafting community, including dry bags, boat cargo systems and large-group camp cookware. Three passionate global paddlers — two of which are raising their families on Salida’s waterways — founded Badfish to craft stand-up paddleboards, river surfboards and accessories. Need something cozy and functional? Look no further than downtown Salida’s own Drift and Amble for its screen-printed-by-hand apparel — like super-soft T-shirts and hoodies.
Salida’s creative culture isn't contained by gallery walls. Art is virtually everywhere, from "ghost" signs gracing buildings from the early 1900s to the many public art installations that pepper Riverside Park. Perfect for a picnic and stroll, the park is home to a musical sculpture crafted by local blacksmiths, and a charming pedestrian bridge that begs for photo ops. Don’t miss the monthly rotation of art in the Paquette Gallery and the Strawn/Grether sculpture garden at the SteamPlant Event Center, an abandoned power plant that’s been repurposed as a community hub to host everything from concerts to film screenings to receptions.
All of Colorado loves a festival, and Salida is no different (at least in this respect). Held every summer (June), the annual Salida Art Walk features works by local and regional artists as well as live music and theater, demonstrations and exclusive gallery previews. The Salida Fiber Festival (September) celebrates fiber and textile art in all forms — artisan weavers, hand-painted silks and more — plus a variety of ancillary products like goat’s milk soap. And throughout the year, there are art markets and pop-up shops where you can pick out that special piece of art in a variety of mediums and made by local artists.
Want creativity you can actually taste? Salida is a locavore’s paradise, with delicious small-batch snacks, sweets and sips around every corner. Craft some sustenance here at places like Wood’s High Mountain Distillery, where brothers P.T. and Lee Wood distill small-batch whiskey, gin and liqueur in an antique German pot named Ashley. Tour the facility, then sample the wares! Vino Salida Wine Cellars is also worth a trip; it offers winemaking tours in addition to a tasting room and music series. Soulcraft Brewing, Salida’s hometown brewery, has more than 16 house-made beers on tap, with must-try brews like Chile Negro, Rad Berry Sour and Simm’A Down Mocha Oatmeal Stout. Downtown Salida’s newest brewery, Tres Litros Beer Company, serves up its smooth-drinking suds in hues of chocolate, gold and caramel. And at The Biker & The Baker, you’ll pair Colorado beers and ciders with handcrafted treats like Whiskey and Honey Bacon Chocolate Cake and “charsusheri” — charcuterie meats rolled up like sushi.
