Colorado Springs artists hope for financial boost on Artists Sunday

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Artists Sunday is celebrated on Sunday, November 29th, and over two dozen Colorado Springs artists are hoping it'll be their own version of a Black Friday.

Planted squarely in the midst of the largest holiday shopping weekend of the year, Artists Sunday aims to make the Sunday after Thanksgiving the arts’ most profitable day for artists annually, boosting sales for creators of art, crafts, and handmade items while encouraging consumers to purchase art as holiday gifts.

“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.”

The day is dedicated to encouraging consumers to shop with artists and give something special, unique, and hand-crafted this holiday season. More than 30 local Colorado Springs artists, with many more across the state of Colorado, have joined the alliance. The artists are hoping to the day will be a boost financially.

The economic hit on the arts and culture sector in the United States has topped $13.1 billion, according to an ongoing survey by Americans for the Arts. A staggering 96% of organizations have canceled events totaling 96 million in lost in-person attendance, which has been challenging for artists to earn an income without in-person, customer-facing events.

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.

For a full list of Colorado Springs artists, click here.