Cottonwood Artists’ School, a nonprofit educational organization, offers weekly classes in oil painting, drawing, watercolor, collage, and sculpture for adults and teens with an emphasis on traditional methods. These courses give students a firm foundation in all of the elements of visual art. Weekly classes run for eight weeks and are offered throughout the year. These classes are for the serious emerging artist as well as for the beginner who has a passion for art. All Cottonwood classes are taught by professional artists. In addition to weekly classes, life drawing sessions with a live model are offered three times a week at a minimal cost to members. These run continuously throughout the year. For more advanced students, Cottonwood offers a variety of three and five-day workshops taught by nationally-recognized artists from across the region such as Skip Whitcomb, Kim English, Ned Jacob, and many more. Plein air workshops are especially popular because of Colorado Springs' diverse landscape which includes the Rocky Mountains, Garden of the Gods park, streams, rivers, and beautiful wetlands.

The Cottonwood Artists’ School Gallery features the work of local and regional artists, including our students and instructors. Each month a new exhibit is featured with an opening reception on the first Friday of the month. Our gallery openings are part of the Downtown Art Walks in conjunction with other galleries in the Depot Arts District (around Colorado Avenue bridge.) These festive occasions include music, light refreshments, and outstanding art. Over 35 studios in the Cottonwood building are open to the public during these events.

The Beginnings
Cottonwood Art Academy was founded in 1997 by a local artist with a vision to provide quality art instruction by professional artists to serious art students in the Colorado Springs area. In June 2002, Kay Jeansonne purchased the school from the previous owner who was leaving the country and closing the school. At that time, the school was located in a 1,500 square feet warehouse space and offered a limited number of classes and workshops. In January 2004, Cottonwood Art Academy moved to the old Gas Department Headquarters building at the entrance to Confluence Park (now America the Beautiful Park). Along with a new home (over 30,000 square feet) came a new name – Cottonwood Artists’ School – a name that more adequately describes the school. In addition to expanded class offerings, Cottonwood began offering affordable studio space to local artists. Within a short amount of time, the building was filled with over 40 artists working in a variety of media and styles. Cottonwood Artists’ School, Gallery, & Studios, is located within walking distance of downtown restaurants and other cultural venues. Artists’ studios are open on the first Friday of each month and by appointment. The studio artists have a website StudiosAtCottonwood.com where you can find a directory of the artists and photos of their work.

What We Offer
• Weekly classes in oil painting, drawing, watercolor, sculpture, and collage
• Life drawing sessions with a live model
• Workshops by nationally-recognized artists including Kim English, Skip Whitcomb, Ned Jacob and many more
• Over 30,000 square feet of artists’ studio spaces
• Over 40 artists working in the building using a variety of media/techniques
• Spacious classrooms in a professional setting
• Gallery with monthly receptions on the first Friday of each month, featuring the work of local and regional artists
• Continuous updates on our website of classes, workshops, and special events.

Special Recognition
On April 18, 2006, Cottonwood Artists' School’s directors, Kay Jeansonne and Peggy Vicaro (pictured second and third from left), had the distinguished honor of being recognized by Colorado Governor Bill Owen and Lt. Governor Jane Norton, for receiving the 2005 Governor’s Award for Downtown Excellence. The project, “Get It Fresh: Art, Food, and Fun” was a collaboration of Cottonwood Artists' School, Urban Redevelopment, the Colorado Farm and Art Market, and Parks and Recreation. The award “Best Partnership” was one of six categories given by the Governor to seven communities for their outstanding downtown and neighborhood projects. The Governor’s Awards for Downtown Excellence, now in its third year, are sponsored by the Colorado Municipal League, Colorado Community Revitalization Association, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade, Qwest, and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs.