Of course, we know Telluride for its world-class skiing and winter sports community, but it also boasts a flourishing creative culture. Telluride Arts is a grassroots arts advocacy organisation, established in 1971 and focused on uncovering and supporting the thriving culture of the region. With this, the Telluride Art and Architecture weekend was born. Telluride Arts’ motivation behind the festival was to introduce emerging artists to potential patrons. Locals and far-flung guests are able to experience the greatest art and home design in Telluride and Mountain Village.

On one of the three days of stunning showcases, the festival’s visitors are able to follow an exciting trail of open houses. Wandering around town, guests will recognise a string of different venues. Indicators of these venues’ participation in the weekend celebration include musical couplets in their entrances, pleased patrons perusing sophisticated pop-up studios with a glass of wine in hand and distinctive displays of unique local artists and architects. Along the path, wayfarers will find boutiques, exhibitions, fashion shows and architectural studios where artists are on hand to interact with. From whimsical blouses and bespoke baby clothing, to quirky window designs and cathartic paintings, there is something for everyone to marvel at along this treasure hunt of ingenuity.

The Telluride Art and Architecture weekend continues into Saturday with a tour of the town’s top culinary talent. Popular local restaurants including French bistro La Marmotte and the New Sheridan hotel’s sophisticated steak house Chop House host artists and musicians of the festival and offer delicious samplers and apéritifs to their visitors. Patrons can expect to find tables cleared out of these eateries to make room for surreal sculptures, dreamy ceramics and awestriking paintings. Glasses filled and stomachs satisfied, the Telluride Art and Architecture weekend’s discerning guests continue to peruse the town’s artistry while discovering its finest cuisine.