Fraser PAC on the move

by Eric Vandernail
Fraser PAC Member

The Fraser PAC (Public Arts Committee) was established by the Town of Fraser in 2016 as an advisory committee to the Town on matters related to the arts.

It is the mission of the Fraser Public Arts Committee to expand public arts in the community and foster environment, creativity, vitality, and economic development.

During the past few years, Fraser PAC has developed several programs that align with our mission.

Fraser Mural Program
Ten murals have been completed in the town of Fraser. These murals are a mix of PAC member projects, internationally known artists and local residents adding “some life” to their home. Additional projects are in the early planning stages for next summer.

Fraser Sculpture Program
2018 was the inaugural year for the Fraser PAC sculpture program. Fraser has already amassed a sizable collection of outdoor public art. The sculpture programs intent is to complement and add to that collection.

The sculpture program solicits the artist to place their sculptures in Fraser for one year. The sculptures are available for purchase, and the hope is that a donor will purchase the sculptures and donate them to the Town as a permanent art installation. Three new sculptures from well-known Colorado artists have been added, and our hope is to double that number in 2019.

Chair Lift Program
Winter Park Resort generously donated 40 chair lifts from the recently decommissioned Zephyr lift to the towns of Fraser and Winter Park. The purpose of this program is to transform the lifts into beautiful/usable works of public art. With over 30 submissions from Colorado artists, the Fraser PAC and a Town of Winter Park representative reviewed submissions and chose the artist based on their submittals for the lifts.

In addition, each of the selected artists will be given a stipend of $250 for their work and materials. The goal of the project is to bring our community together by placing a uniform art structure throughout the community. This will show Grand County’s appreciation of art, and give a nod to the Winter Park Resort as a member of our community.

The lifts will be placed in highly visible areas such as bus stops, parks and local businesses throughout Fraser and Winter Park.


Fraser Creative Arts Center
For the past couple months, Fraser stakeholders (comprised of two PAC members, two Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) members, Town of Fraser staff members and the Mayor of Fraser) have been working closely with DAO Architecture to develop conceptual plans for the Fraser Creative Arts Center.

The goal will be to create a new focal point for the town of Fraser. The position and posture of this building will reflect and honor the backdrop of the grand landscape it resides within, with ways to offer connections in all directions with the adjacent properties in a thoughtful manner.

This place will encourage everyone to partake in the energetic and collaborative processes of Fraser’s thriving community of artists and craftspeople. It will stand in our community as a call to create. There will be a common bond shared among people that arrive to practice their craft, to learn and to present their best work. It will be warm and inviting, and will always be ‘humming’ with activity and brimming with creative energy.

The Fraser Creative Art Center will be comprised of an art gallery, private art gallery, studio workspaces, maker’s spaces, common workspaces, apartments and an “artist in residence” live/work space.

A conceptual design will be submitted to the community. Over the next few months, the Fraser PAC will begin raising funds to make the Fraser Creative Arts Center a living reality.

It is exciting to see the creative energy throughout the entire County!

Where human expression is supported and embraced, prosperity follows.