Illuminate: Lighting the Way for the Arts
Presented by the Fine Arts Center Foundation
Saturday, September 13, 2025, 5:30–8 p.m.
Step into the light and join us for ILLUMINATE, an extraordinary cocktail evening dedicated to celebrating the arts and the enduring light they bring to our community. Hosted by the Fine Arts Center Foundation Board of Directors, this vibrant gathering shines a spotlight on the Fine Arts Center’s rich legacy — and the bright, inspiring future we are building together.
Sip craft cocktails, savor delicious hors d’oeuvres, and enjoy the sounds of live music filling the spaces of our iconic venue.
ILLUMINATE coincides with the opening of Gathering Place, the first comprehensive reinstallation of the museum’s first-floor galleries in nearly a decade. This powerful new exhibition invites our community to explore the diverse histories, cultures, and artistic voices of the Southwest, and beyond, through works from the FAC’s permanent collection.
Did You Know?
Throughout the night, you’ll experience a lively blend of creativity, connection, and discovery.
Midway through the evening, we’ll gather for brief remarks as we honor the Fine Arts Center’s impact and invite guests to continue exploring all the FAC has to offer — from our galleries and performance spaces to the creative studios where imagination thrives.
We can’t wait to share this extraordinary night of creativity, connection, and inspiration with you.
Ticket Information
Guest Tickets: $85
Radiance Tickets*: $100
VIP Tickets**: $120 – SOLD OUT!
* Radiance tickets are for young professionals interested in engaging more deeply with the arts. This ticket level comes with the commissioned art piece and one drink ticket per person.
**VIP tickets include two drink tickets, an art print commissioned exclusively for the event, and a bottle of wine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We’ve got answers! Wondering what’s included with your ticket, what to wear, or where to park? Visit our FAQ webpage for all the details.
Throughout the evening, you'll experience:
Performing Arts
Encounter pop-up performances that celebrate the energy, creativity, and storytelling spirit of the FAC, including music from Solo Amigos, a latin/jazz/classical quartet based in Southern Colorado.
Visual Arts
Explore a silent auction featuring works by renowned artists such as Floyd Tunson, Casey Kawaguchi, Phil Vallejo, Pat Musick, Linda Sagastume, and Jeremiah Houck, and enjoy an exclusive inside look at our powerful new museum exhibition Gathering Place, including a special performance of Scriptorium con safos: Gathering Place by co-curator Josh T Franco.
Creative Arts
Watch live sketch artists and en plein air painters capture the night, experience live printing demonstrations, and engage with a variety of art mediums and techniques showcased by talented Bemis School of Art instructors and Colorado College students—plus, take home a portrait or still life as your own keepsake.
ILLUMINATE is a celebration and so much more — it’s a philanthropic event with purpose. All proceeds raised from the evening directly benefit the Fine Arts Center’s dynamic programming across our museum, theatre company, and Bemis School of Art. Your support has a profound and lasting impact, helping us ignite new ideas, empower artists and audiences, and bring transformative arts experiences to our community for generations to come.
If you are interested in sponsoring ILLUMINATE, please view all event partnership opportunities.
Thank You to our Major Sponsors
