In the late 1960s, a handful of artists in Littleton made a decision that would lay a foundation for the Littleton arts community for decades to come.
They had been meeting in homes and other buildings for years to make art together, but when they learned the Santa Fe Depot, a train depot, was at risk of being destroyed after the train ceased its route through Littleton, the artists saw potential in it. They created a plan to save the building and secured local funding to restore it.
Today, the Depot Art Gallery sits by the courthouse near downtown Littleton, moved just a couple of blocks north of the train depot’s original location. Now a Colorado Historic Landmark, the depot is full of paintings, sculptures, photographs and more.
In its current show, the gallery celebrates 62 years of artists meeting together to create and the building’s role as a hub for Littleton artists.
The gallery is owned by the City of Littleton and managed by the Littleton Fine Arts Guild, a group that’s grown from its original 10 artists to over 60 members today. Artists are juried into the guild and volunteer their time to run the gallery, which offers a free space for Littleton community members to enjoy art.
At a recent reception, artists gathered to appreciate each other’s work and honor the building’s history and the guild’s legacy.
“(The original guild) was just people that wanted to paint — and the same spirit is alive today, of pursuing (art) and making it better,” said Peggy Dietz, who has been a part of the guild for over 20 years.
Beyond painters, the guild includes people who sculpt, make jewelry, photograph, draw and more. For many of them, being part of the group has helped them develop as an artist.
“I think being a part of something like this is so nice, to be able to share your art with other artists,” said Pat Foster, who joined the guild last year. “I think there’s a lot of good artists in here, so I think you learn from other artists.”
Others highlighted the importance of the friendships they’ve made through the guild.
“As you get older, it’s harder to make friends, so that’s really good,” said Ivy Delon, who has been in the guild for about seven years. “And they’re other artist friends — so, you know, you have your family, you have your yoga friends, and then you have your artist friends.”
During the event, guild members presented Sonya Ellingboe a commemorative award for her contributions to the arts community, long-time guild membership and gallery support.
A former writer for the Littleton Independent, Ellingboe’s life has been distinguished by her involvement and leadership in many of the city’s important civic and arts institutions.
“All your writing about the guild and about the depot really kept us afloat,” Dietz said to Ellingboe at the event, thanking her for how she made artists feel when she wrote about their work.
When Ellingboe joined the guild, she had one child and another on the way.
“I was kind of confined at home with little ankle-biters,” she said. “This was just my savior — to be able to come talk to adults about painting for a day, every so often, and do some painting myself.”
When the guild started rehabilitating the building, Ellingboe said she remembers spending part of the day painting, and then the group would “come over and scrub for a while.” She said she also remembers waiting in line for the gallery’s first-ever exhibit.
“It’s been kind of a standard in my life … since the mid-50s, and it’s been a big part of my life, so I’m glad to see you all supporting it,” she said. “Those of you who are members — it’s great, stay with it.”
At 93, Ellingboe said she still enjoys watercolor painting. She encouraged the current members to continue embracing art in their lives. Beyond just making it, she encouraged them to support other artists.
“My message to you all is to go out and buy art,” Ellingboe said. “Don’t stay home watching TV.”
The gallery’s 62nd Anniversary Show, which includes 45 pieces of art from guild members, will be on display until May 18. The gallery is open from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays.