Artists Sunday launches with 70 Colorado artists, a Black Friday for the arts

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Artists Sunday – the nationwide alliance of artists and economic development organizations — aims to make the the Sunday after Thanksgiving the arts’ most profitable day annually, boosting sales for creators of art, crafts and handmade items while encouraging consumers to purchase art as holiday gifts.   

Artists Sunday encompasses a full spectrum of the arts from painting, sculpture, and photography to clothing, jewelry, pottery, and a range of handcrafted items that can be both practical and beautiful.

The concept is taking root across Colorado where nearly 70 artists, artisans and craftspeople have already signed on. Additionally, arts and economic development organizations such as Colorado Creative Industries have joined the movement. 

“Colorado is proud to be a part of this nationwide effort to support the creative class,” said Margaret Hunt, director of Colorado Creative Industries. “Artists Sunday is a great way to support local artists, celebrate creativity and find unique, meaningful gifts for everyone who appreciates the arts.”

Greg Davis, an artist and National Geographic Image Collection photographer, believes Artists Sunday meets a pressing need for the many artists and artisans whose in-person sales have been severely limited by the Covid-19 pandemic. Beyond that, he sees Artists Sunday as having the potential to become a staple in the biggest holiday shopping weekend of the year.

“I think this movement can take us to a place where Artists Sunday becomes a cultural stamp in America just like Black Friday and Cyber Monday,” said Davis, who is based in Austin. Texas.  “Artists Sunday is tucked in between the big box Black Friday and Cyber Monday to create a meaningful opportunity on the meaningful day. As a shopper, you can buy something handmade that has purpose – the kind of gift that can fill a home much better than something mass produced in a far-away factory.”