ART IN THE PARK - CHAUTAUQUA PARK FUNDRAISER

Art in the Park is Chautauqua Park’s annual fundraiser, where colorful bear sculptures are auctioned off to raise money for the upkeep of the buildings and grounds of this National Historic Landmark. Over the past four years, the event has become a fan favorite, raising tens of thousands of dollars for local artists, nonprofits, and the Colorado Chautauqua organization.

Each fiberglass bear starts as a blank canvas, and selected artists transform them into one-of-a-kind works of art. For the 2025 fundraiser, three of our students—McCall ’25, Mila ’28, and Sierra ’28—created their own whimsical bear, “Bear Tears Through a Picnic,” adding to a stunning outdoor exhibit in one of the country’s most beautiful venues. Proceeds from the auction benefit the Chautauqua Fund, local artists, and The New Local, a nonprofit championing women artists.