Vision

As a grassroots organization, the Gunnison Creative District envisions a vibrant local economy and diverse community that fosters creativity, innovation, and collaboration. The Gunnison Creative District enhances Gunnison as a dynamic and prosperous place to live, visit, and create.

Mission

The Gunnison Creative district strengthens and enlivens Gunnison by building community connections, encouraging economic activity, and highlighting our community’s identity, through the flourishing presence of creative industries and activities.

Staff & Board

Arly Landry- District Director

Arly got involved with the Creative District as a Creative Business owner, Goodday Bikeworks. She first served on the board starting in 2022 and then became the District Director in 2023.

Kit Wijkowski- Board President/ Treasurer

Kit is the Ceramic Studio Manger at the Gunnison Arts Center & joined the board in 2024.

Ricardo Esqueda- Secretary

Ricardo is the City of Gunnison’s Community & Policy Liaison and translator. He joined the board in 2022.

Heather Hughes- Artist-in-Residence, Instructor of Theatre at Western Colorado University She runs the Talent Show Committee and Joined 2024

Alysa VanHuevel – Director of the Gunnison Arts Center Joined 2026

Anton Sinkewich – City of Gunnison Community Development Director Joined 2022

Maryo Ewell – Former Associate Director of the Colorado Council on the Arts Joined 2026

Desirae Penton – Owner of Dragon Asana Yoga studio joined 2025

Gunnison became an official Creative District in 2021, a designation that comes from Colorado Creative Industries. The GCD manages the creative district designation as a 501(c)3 non-profit to support local creatives through public murals and sculpture, First Friday Artwalk, a valley-wide creative directory and public art maintenance.