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The Broadmoor Art Academy: Our Forgotten Art History, Part I

By On February 7, 2011 · 20 Comments · In A Big Something, Art!, Interviews, Local Genius!, Local History, Local Museums, Photography, Western Skies


(Slide show contains images of the first Broadmoor Academy catalog from 1921 and images by artists who taught at the Broadmoor Art Academy. Catalog and images courtesy of Blake Wilson and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center).

When you think of great southwestern arts colonies, you probably think of Taos and Santa Fe, New Mexico. But in the early part of the 20th Century, Colorado Springs was also a renowned summertime arts colony where world-famous artists came to teach at The Broadmoor Art Academy. Noel Black spoke with art collector Blake Wilson of The Art Bank and Fine Arts Center Curator Blake Milteer about this largely-forgotten part of our local cultural history.

Download, or listen to the conversation here:

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You can learn more about past and present of the arts in the Pikes Peak region on this month’s episode of Western Skies HERE. Tomorrow we’ll bring you a feature about the opening of the Fine Arts Center in 1936 and the early days of The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center School.

 
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20 Responses to The Broadmoor Art Academy: Our Forgotten Art History, Part I

  1. Eva says:
    February 7, 2011 at 5:19 am

    Thank you, Noel, Blake and Blake – fascinating stuff.

    Reply
  2. adam degraff says:
    February 7, 2011 at 9:28 am

    good to see

    Reply
  3. Mary Ellen says:
    February 7, 2011 at 10:20 am

    A TREAT!

    Reply
  4. Laura Fawcett says:
    February 7, 2011 at 11:14 am

    Another great piece, Noel and staff.

    As an employee of Fountain Valley School, we are thrilled that this is the third piece in a week to have strong FVS ties. Boardman Robinson actually came to Colorado Springs to teach art at FVS. He came to FVS intending to only hold that one position but a year later took a second position at the Broadmoor Art Academy (this from “They Wrote Their Own History, Fountain Valley School’s First 70 Years” by David G. Lavender).

    Moreover, we are proud that Blake Wilson is a 1978 FVS graduate!

    Reply
  5. Deanna says:
    February 7, 2011 at 12:06 pm

    Really enjoyed this show – I had no idea these art luminaries were associated with the Academy.

    Reply
  6. Tad Bickley says:
    February 7, 2011 at 12:26 pm

    Very important and scholarly interview to reacquaint the community with our rich art heritage and shine a light on the Broadmoor Art Academy’s role in that heritage. Well done!

    Reply
  7. Miriam Shane says:
    February 8, 2011 at 8:45 am

    Brilliant! A beautiful presentation. The Cheyenne Mountain Heritage Center is honored to have Blake Milteer on her board and Blake Wilson as a past presenter in our small gallery with a Charles Bunnell exhibit last year. Our community continues to be blessed with talented artists and passionate historians, both in art and culture, who help us to maintain the richness of our shared heritage! Thank you Noel for carrying the torch.

    Reply
  8. Sarah says:
    February 10, 2011 at 8:55 am

    How fabulous! Thank you for posting this.

    Reply
  9. Ruth Lynne Snow says:
    November 10, 2011 at 8:35 am

    All this history is just great. Do you or anyone else know where I can learn more about art masterpieces from curators and collectors being stored at the Fine Arts Center during World War II, with it being shown just after the war was over at the FAC? Please call me at 598-3401.

    Reply
  10. suesun says:
    January 18, 2012 at 4:27 pm

    Well, perhaps we really will live to see another great Renaissance of Colorado Springs art. I like how this piece ended with looking into the future…. what would it be like if there really were a GREAT art school here?…… wow.

    I also appreciated learning about the transformation from purely classical style drawing and painting, into the more impressionistic style.

    thanks!!!!!

    Reply
  11. Samantha says:
    January 18, 2012 at 4:51 pm

    I love the Maxfield Parrish version of the Broadmoor. What a treat!

    Reply
  12. Julie Francis says:
    January 18, 2012 at 6:27 pm

    What a historic treasure the Broadmoor Art Academy was! I loved listening to the interview while looking at the slide show. The Cripple Creek Mine and the Eleven Mile Canyon were my favorites!
    I loved when Blake was talking about how the “light” influenced painters from the East Coast! Thank you! Julie Francis

    Reply
  13. Steven Bachechi says:
    January 18, 2012 at 7:49 pm

    Man, how lucky to spend a day at the FAC . Sure beats a classroom.

    Reply
  14. Charles Heard says:
    January 18, 2012 at 7:58 pm

    Thank you for bringing this wonderful collection to our attention.

    Reply
  15. Skyler Drossman says:
    January 18, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    Great radio show! I enjoyed the field trip to the fine art center yesterday.

    Reply
  16. marcello says:
    January 18, 2012 at 9:50 pm

    my favorite field trip by far

    Reply
  17. Mikayla says:
    January 19, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    Wow! I enjoyed the slideshow! My favorite was 14, “eleven Mile Canyon.” I love the detail. it looks realistic, yet animated. It’s really cool!

    Reply
  18. Sydney Bottcher says:
    January 19, 2012 at 12:54 pm

    It really was a wonderful field trip and we saw some awesome art!

    Reply
  19. Grant says:
    January 19, 2012 at 12:57 pm

    It’s really interesting to know that there was a famous art school in the community.

    Reply
  20. Mark Cornell says:
    December 27, 2012 at 7:23 pm

    My Grandfather Albert Cornell studied under Robert Reid during the early 1920s and I have a few personal items he gave to my grandfather at the time. Though i can’t confirm it, the presentation shows a picture of what might be him from one of the classes. Really fantastic presentation to see and thanks so much for sharing it.

    Reply

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