Of Norwood
“Furthering opportunities for the arts, education, and cultural experiences within our communities."

New name as of March 2018, same Mission & Purpose
​
WIDE SKY ARTS
COLLECTIVE of Norwood
October 31, 2019
​
After 10 years as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, the membership and Board of Directors for Wide Sky Arts Collective have decided that the organization and the community will be better served, and resources better utilized, if we joined forces with the Norwood Park and Recreation District, now owners of the Livery Playhouse. Instead of operating as a separate entity, we will become an active Committee reporting to the NPRD Board.
​
The transition will take a number of months. The assets acquired over the life of A.C.E./WSAC will be managed by NPRD - stage, sets, lights, sound system, wardrobe and props inventory. Programs and productions will be managed by WSAC Committee Members, and made possible by volunteers and community people. As always, your support of arts and events will still be needed and appreciated.
March 2018
The name of the organization has been officially changed to WIDE SKY ARTS COLLECTIVE OF NORWOOD.
​
PRESS RELEASE
The nonprofit supporting arts of all forms in and around Norwood is changing its name. Arts, Community, and Education (A.C.E.) of Norwood was formally established in 2009 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit. That was before there was an Ace Hardware store on Grand Avenue. Now it’s time to eliminate any confusion, and take on a new life as the Wide Sky Arts Collective.
Over the years, the membership-driven organization has brought music, art, theater, and creative thinking into public spaces. Whether participating as artists or audiences, most people in Norwood have enjoyed some bit of culture brought by A.C.E. members and supporters. The highlight from last summer was an evening of local culinary creations and night of dancing to the Western Flyers, a Texas swing band that graced the Livery stage in August.
The founders were inspired by the multi-venue live music event called NorWoodstock, and the original plays written and directed by local Kristina Stellhorn. What followed was a stream of Art Openings at the Livery, activities for families and kids like Kids’ Space and movie night, after-school classes by local artists, Renaissance Fairs, and weekend ukulele lessons. These gave way to kids’ Shakespeare and community Musical productions, live plays, and member-hosted creative-thinking & ideas gatherings.
A.C.E. of Norwood went through a major change in 2015, turning over the rental and management of the Livery and adjacent Oliver House to the Norwood Park and Recreation Department. This was a win-win change, as the coffers that had been depleted in caring for the building were able to recover, while NPRD has given the property needed maintenance attention. Through it all, A.C.E. had the local support to survive - people showed that arts are valued in their community.
Norwood newcomers especially, though, were baffled by the hardware chain’s apparent involvement in the arts community, while Timberline Hardware was accused of putting on Open Mic Nights. So it became clear that a new moniker was needed. A series of sessions with local art-supporters brought us to Wide Sky Arts Collective, a name celebrating the vast horizons of Wrights Mesa, and honoring all kinds of art - music, dance, painting, sculpture, drama, and more.
Wide Sky Arts Collective has kicked off 2018 with the NRA - Norwood Renegade Artists - supporting public art project ideas, including plans for an artful Information Kiosk for non-profits and service organizations. Equine Encounter, a 2-day experiential workshop for pre-teens and teens, is slated for May 5 & 6, and again June 9 & 10. Karen O’dell’s kids’ dance classes will return in July, and August 25 is Art in the Garden - adding an art auction this year. Live music and theater are still in the works.
There will be an official Re-launch Party and Poetry Reading on Friday, April 6th, doors opening at 7:00PM. This will be held at the Livery, 1555 Summit Street, Norwood, CO, next door to the Fire Station. There will be snacks and cash bar, art on the walls, poetry on the stage, and then a DJ for dancing. Membership renewals and sign-ups will be available at the event, with dues of $25/year for individuals, $50/year for families, and $15/year for 65+.
For more information, find Wide Sky Arts Collective (formerly ACEofNorwood) on Facebook, or you can email WideSkyArts@gmail.com.
Old News​
- Dec. 2016 We received grant funding from Just For Kids and USBank to help us continue to offer programs and events in Norwood and Wrights Mesa. Membership remains an important part of the organization, though. We look forward to a fun 2017 Calendar, with Shakespeare, Community Art Collaboration, local live music, perhaps more adult-cast plays, and a big SHOW - A Revue in November.
Summer 2016
Beginner Dance Classes and beginner tumbling classes were offered by Karen O'dell.
Annual Talent Show and contest took place Aug. 12.
ACE supported the Norwood Community Garden's Annual ART IN THE GARDEN Sept. 10.
ACE sponsored Magic On The Mesa, an Art and Craft Fair, July 16.
Continuing support of Marsha West's Belly Dance classes.
COMING in October: It's Grant Writing Season. We invite members to assist with this process.
February 2016
Hi community! Please stayed tunned for our upcoming kids play production of Romeo and Juliet for the month of April. Practice starts April 4th, Mondays and Tuesdays until the show Friday and Saturday the 29th and 30th.
We finished the new year with a bang, the Sound of Music was a big success! Thanks to all the volunteers and actors who played a vital role!
Marsha West is still offering belly dance at the Livery on Wednesdays at 7-8:30pm. ACE is offering 1/2 price scholarships for teens, incuding the 5th class for free. Sign up for 4 classes, teens pay $20 for all 5! Fee for adults is $10 per class.
Our membership drive and annual meeting will be coming up in May so stay posted. Our memberships keep the program afloat so please consider re-newing or joining ACE of Norwood. Memberships are $25 per year for an individual and $50 for the family.
Conact us at: aceofnorwood@gmail.com
Hello Norwood and beyond,
ACE has had a great summer so far. Sara lead a fun kids and adult circus class in July, followed by a fundraiser party with live music and dancing, and Marsha West has been offering a belly dance class in town. In August we had our annual Talent Show and the ART in the Garden event! Thanks to all who volunteered, came and enjoyed. We are looking forward to the new fall production coming up.......THE SOUND OF MUSIC with Sara Doehrman as the theater director. There is more info on all of these events in the header pages above. This will be the last event scheduled before winter and we hope you will join us by preforming in the play or coming to the show! if you want to get involved or have questions please contact us at aceofnorwood@gmail.com
​
JUNE 2015 ACE OF Norwoods Annual Member Meeting
Arts, Community, Education (ACE) of Norwood would like to send a big Thank You to all the members who joined us for the ACE of Norwood Annual Meeting on the 31st of May 2015. An election for the Board of Directors was held at the meetting and we would like to announce that the seats are held by Leila Seraphin (Treasurer) , Liza Tanguay (Secretary) , Ellen Metric, and Katherine Burroughs (President). These ladies stepped up to help form the interim board which has been working together since February of this year. Leaving the Board of Directors is Betsy Kelley and President Sara Doerhman. Sara will be continuing on in the organization as the Theater Director. If you have an interest in being a Board Member, there are still 3 seats available. Please contact us at aceofnorwood@gmail.com.
We want to send out a special thank you to those members that signed up to be part of the Board Support Group. Since we are a member driven organization, we are always accepting donations (donations are tax deductible, link on home page here), and we ask you to become a member if you are not one already. A benefit of being a member is that you get a discount on classes and you are supporting an art and education program in your community.
ACE of Norwood is looking forward to starting classes in July. Classes will be for both children and adults. A full calendar will be available here by the end of June. We ask participants to regrister ahead of time if possible. If you are interested in taking any classes or teaching a class please e-mail us at aceofnorwood@gmail.com. Thanks again for being a part of ACE!
​SARA DOERHMANS LETTER OF RESIGNATION FROM BOARD OF DIRECTOR AT THE ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING MAY 31ST 2015
Dear Norwood Community,
We are gathered today for our annual ACE member meeting. We hope to continue to offer transparency, enriching programs and a fruitful and rewarding organization you can get involved with and directly impact. Since ACE is a member-driven organization, it's up to you, the members, to help this organization stay viable.
Our budget for 2014 reflects the need for more direct volunteer support and active board members. Although the theater program continued to thrive, other aspects of the organization were, though circumstance, not tended to as well as they needed to be. I alone dedicated over 900 hours as theater director and was compensated approximately $2.50 per hour under this job title. As board president I volunteered over 250 hours last year to all other aspects of the ACE organization and still felt unable to tackle all the needs a functioning community program requires. During this board election and the arrival of new and motivated board members I'd like to announce my resignation as the board president. i am stepping down so i can focus solely on the theater program as the theater director. This means, now more than ever that ACE needs volunteers, leadership and board members willing to put in the time and effort to pursue, redefine and succeed in all of ACEs present and future aspirations.
The 2014 budget also reflects the massive financial and physical burden the management of the Blue House and Livery posed for ACE. As we transition out of the location we look at it as an opportunity to expand and redefine what ACE can offer the Norwood community. I see ACE as a coordinating and organizing entity that supports artists, educators and students alike. The potential is vast, the motivation and talent are here, and we need your support and continued involvement to move forward. I thank all who have volunteered their time, come to events and participated in the theater program. You have kept ACE alive.
Today, please take the time to look through potential classes for the summer schedule and let us know if anything sparks your attention or interest. Feel free to make comments, offer a class to teach or share ideas with the board. Remember ACE is your organization. Thank you so much for your membership support, coming today, and being a part of the Arts, Community and Education of Norwood.
Sincerely,
Sara Doehrman