Art is an expression of the artist. If you want to enjoy and appreciate art, knowing the people behind it is a great way to make a personal connection with the creativity behind it — especially when its creators are individuals living and working in the local community. That’s why the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region features an Artist-of-the-Day each year during Arts Month.
“There is no art without the artist behind it,” says Rebekah Hire-Santoro, Program Coordinator at the Cultural Office. “Each creation is unique to the artist. When you get to know the artist, it makes their art come alive because it demonstrates a piece of the artist’s heart and soul.”
Every day of Arts Month this October, you can get to know a featured local artist from El Paso or Teller County at ArtsOctober.com and see stories and videos about them at @PeakRadar on Facebook and Instagram. Then you can go see an exhibit or show by each artist and perhaps meet the painters, poets, chefs, singers, dancers, actors and others in person during Arts Month.
Each featured Artist-of-the-Day aligns with a weekly Arts Month theme: Week 1 is Visual & Culinary Arts; Week 2 is Theater & Film; Week 3 is Poetry, Prose & Comedy; and Week 4 is Music & Dance. But every year, Hire-Santoro says she is surprised by how multidisciplinary so many local artists are. It’s a sign of the creativity represented all over the Pikes Peak region. It’s also a reminder that artistic expression is as rich and complex as our humanity.
“When you really get to know an artist’s history and why they love to create their unique art, it makes you appreciate the years of practice, effort and passion that goes into each dance, poem, painting or other work,” Hire-Santoro says.
Here’s a sneak preview of several of this year’s Artist-of-the-Day honorees.
Chef Ian Dedrickson — Oct. 1
Have you eaten at Ephemera inside CO.A.T.I. in downtown Colorado Springs? If so, you have tasted the creativity of Chef Ian. This Springs native began his culinary career in Manitou Springs at age 15 and grew as he worked for several local chefs, including as Sous Chef for Chef Brother Luck.
In 2018, Ian started a series of art and concept-driven pop-up dinners under the name Ephemera, along with Chef-Partner Adam Ridens and Creative Director Jasmine Dillavou. The popular events grew, and in fall 2020, Chef Ian and company opened their downtown brick-and-mortar location inside CO.A.T.I., where they continue to provide culinary, wine and art experiences.
Pirronne Yousefzadeh — Oct. 14
Pirronne Yousefzadeh is the Producing Artistic Director of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center Theatre Company, where she leads the strategic direction and creative vision for the award-winning theater. As a director, writer and educator, Pirronne has a passion for new work that centers and uplifts the stories of global majority communities.
She has developed and directed work across the country at theaters including the New York Theatre Workshop, Soho Rep, Atlantic Theater Company, The Kennedy Center, La Jolla Playhouse and many more. Pirronne also co-founded Maia Directors, a consulting group for artists and organizations who wish to engage with stories from the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa.
Aoi Koenig — Oct. 28
Aoi Koenig (née Funakoshi) originally hails from Chiba, Japan, where she started her classical ballet study at age 7. Recognizing her talents, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music awarded Aoi a scholarship, and she graduated Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance in 2000.
As an active international performing artist, Aoi danced with classical ballet and contemporary dance companies around the world, appearing in prestigious theaters and international festivals, including Joyce Theater, New York City Center, Festival Internacional Cervantino, Palacio de Bellas Artes and DanceXchange Birmingham, to name a few.
Since 2011, Aoi has called Colorado Springs home. She enjoys a full life with her husband and growing family, while serving passionately as dance instructor at Ormao Dance Company and Pikes Peak State College and performing locally whenever possible.
Learn more about these upcoming Artists of the Day and meet others throughout October at ArtsOctober.com. You can also find many events, activities, receptions, performances and other ways to enjoy at least one new cultural activity during Arts Month. Thanks to the Artist-of-the-Day program, your Arts Month celebrations will be even more personal.
Get to know about the artists and experience of the Poetry719 We Do Stuff Festival. Discover many more ways to enjoy Arts Month in 25 Creative Things to Do During Arts Month. You can even win great prizes — find out how in Arts Month Even More Fun With Giveaways.
