The Cultural Hub of Southern Colorado

The Sangre De Cristo Arts & Conference Center is considered to be the cultural hub of Southern Colorado. This three structure complex incorporates six galleries loaded with art works created by well known national artists, as well as regional and local craftsmanship. The Center opened in 1972 was created to educate the Pueblo and Southern Colorado communities on the arts and promote creative skills utilizing superior facilities. Over the past 35 years the Arts Center has grown and flourished. The Center expanded in 1982 with three new galleries and a continued emphasis on providing educating the young. The two story, 12,000 square foot complex provides visitors with hands-on exhibits to entertain all ages.

The galleries regularly change the hands-on presentations. One of the popular exhibits, Sensations, allows guests to utilize over fifty different sensors on the floor and walls to activate a series of light and sound displays.

Creative visitors get an opportunity to use their imaginations at the Artrageous Studio. Here they can construct their masterpieces using available materials such as mylar, paper, ribbons and some of the more messy supplies like paints and clay. The El Pornar Magic Carpet Theater uses advanced projection apparatus to enhance program viewing for its guests.

Sangre de Cristo Arts Center devotes a lot of attention to the education of young children. The Buell Children's Museum offers fine arts, dance and a variety of other hands-on classes to children, as well as adults on a quarterly basis. The 500 seat theater accommodates performing arts programs from local and national performers. The Children's Museum encompasses 7,500 square feet of hands-on activities, the theater, gift shop, and a small cafy. The Buell Baby Barn enables younger children under age four to learn via a fun barnyard theme.

In order to meet the energetic objectives stated in the mission statement, the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center prides itself in the high quality of the teaching staff. Most of the classes are presented by professional artists. In order to further promote the education of the Pueblo area the classes are open to all skill levels and all ages. If someone has a desire to learn about any of the arts, they are encouraged to contact the Art Center.

The Sangre de Cristo Arts Center Gift Shop has a fine display of exclusive, handcrafted items that will please visitors of all ages. Geared more toward the younger art enthusiast, the Buell Children's Museum, offers some wonderful educational and fun gifts at very reasonable prices.

The School of Dance offers instruction in numerous dance styles at a variety of skill levels. Participants can learn ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop from professional instructors.

The High School Artists' Corner was implemented that features the art efforts of local Pueblo City Schools. This helps to further the effort of the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center to interest the youth of the Pueblo area in the fine arts. The submitted exhibits are on display for one month. The program enables the students to experience the feeling of exhibiting their work in a professional setting.

There is a small admission fee to both the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center and the Buell Children's Museum. Active members of the military and their immediate families are eligible for a discount off of the regular entry fee.