Inspiring creativity, connection, and lifelong learning in the heart of the San Juan Mountains.
Weehawken Creative Arts is dedicated to strengthen our communities by creating high-quality opportunities for people of all ages to learn, create, connect, and belong through the arts.
Founded in 2004 by Susie Opdahl and a dedicated group of volunteers, Weehawken Creative Arts is a nonprofit arts organization rooted in Southwest Colorado. We believe the arts have the power to strengthen communities, spark creativity, and bring people together.
Today, we serve thousands of participants each year through a dynamic range of classes, performances, exhibitions, festivals, and special events in Ridgway, Ouray, Montrose, and neighboring communities. We are committed to creating welcoming, accessible spaces where people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can discover their creativity, build meaningful connections, and experience the joy of learning together.
Our Mission
Weehawken Creative Arts exists to strengthen our communities by creating high-quality opportunities for people of all ages to learn, create, connect, and belong through the arts.
Our Vision
We envision vibrant communities where creativity is accessible to everyone, the arts enrich everyday life, and every participant has a place to belong.
OUR CORE VALUES
Creativity — We believe creativity enriches lives and strengthens communities.
Community — We cultivate meaningful relationships in our creative spaces.
Belonging — Everyone deserves to feel welcomed, valued, respected, and included.
Excellence — We strive for excellence in our programs, service, and relationships.
Integrity — We act honestly, responsibly, and with accountability.
Accessibility — We believe the arts should be welcoming and attainable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Joy — We celebrate curiosity, creativity, achievement, and the joy of learning together.
What We Do
We offer hundreds of classes, workshops, performances, and cultural events each year across a wide range of artistic disciplines. Our programs welcome all ages and experience levels—from toddlers taking their first dance class to adults discovering new passions in painting, aerial arts, creative writing, music, theater, and more.
Beyond arts education, Weehawken helps strengthen the region’s creative economy. Through the 610 Arts Collective, our professional gallery space co-managed with the Sherbino, we showcase the work of more than 100 regional artists annually. The gallery provides opportunities for emerging and established artists alike, supporting creative careers while enriching the cultural life of our communities.
In addition to year-round education and gallery programs, we also produce beloved major annual community events that celebrate culture, creativity, and connection, including the Ridgway Rendezvous juried Arts Festival and Fête de la Musique, a free outdoor music festival that fills downtown Ridgway with performances by local and regional musicians each June.
Accessibility remains central to everything we do. Through scholarships, work-trade opportunities, and community partnerships, we strive to ensure the arts are welcoming and attainable for everyone, regardless of age, background, or financial circumstances.
Whether you’re taking your very first class, discovering a new creative passion, exhibiting your work, or simply joining us for a community event, Weehawken is a place where creativity thrives, connections grow, and everyone belongs.
Classroom Locations
RIDGWAY
Old Schoolhouse
1075 Sherman Street, Suite 201
Ridgway, CO
WCA Cora Annex
145 N. Cora Street,
Ridgway, CO
MONTROSE
opening in October, 2026:
Weehawken Montrose
28 West South 4th Street,
Montrose CO 81401
(Staff onsite during scheduled programs. No standard office hours. Please note: this is not our mailing address)
Montrose Flex Rec – through Sept 2026
1309 Mayfly Drive, Montrose, CO
Note: not staffed outside of programs, not a mailing address.
Cross Fit Agoge (aerial partner)
475 Water Ave, Montrose, CO 81401
Note: not staffed outside of programs, not a mailing address.
OURAY
Wright Opera House Community Room
472 Main Street, Ouray, CO 81427 (backside of building)
Ouray, CO
Note: not staffed outside of programs, not a mailing address.
Aerial Ouray / Hypoxia
1900 Main Street (backside of the Ouray Dog Company building)
Note: not staffed outside of programs, not a mailing address.
MAIL:
PO Box 734, Ridgway, CO 81432
Mission
The Mission of Weehawken Creative Arts is to strengthen our communities by creating high-quality opportunities for people of all ages to learn, create, connect, and belong through the arts.
Our Vision is to foster vibrant communities where creativity is accessible to everyone, the arts enrich everyday life, and every participant has a place to belong.
Board of Directors
Dana Griffith President
Marti O’Leary Vice President
Sandy Kern Treasurer
Rhea Bothe Secretary
Mary Aliota Member at Large
Emalie Boyce Member at Large
Sandy Canright Member at Large
Jane Gardner Member at Large
Kevin Koprek Member at Large
Mary Nordlander Member at Large
Lissette Riviere Member at Large
Interested in serving on our board or other active participation with Weehawken?
970-318-0308 (ask for Ashley)
questions@weehawkenarts.org
Our Team
A group of dedicated individuals united by a passion for the arts and a commitment to nurturing creativity in our community. Our directors and staff bring vision, expertise, and dedication to every aspect of our work—from teaching classes and managing programs to overseeing finances, coordinating fundraising, and producing special events—ensuring that Weehawken remains a vibrant and inclusive creative home for all ages.
Ashley King-Grambley
executive director (Weehawken & Sherbino)
Ashley has over 24 years of experience in nonprofit arts management and has served as Executive Director of Weehawken Creative Arts since 2008. She also leads The 610 Arts Collective and the Alpenglow Arts Alliance, and has served as Executive Director of Ridgway Chautauqua/Sherbino Theatre since 2014, fostering collaboration and growth across regional arts organizations. Ashley’s leadership, expertise, vision, and dedication to Weehawken’s mission continue to strengthen the arts community throughout Ouray County and beyond.
Natasha Pyeatte
Weehawken Dance artistic director
Natasha has been passionate about dance since the age of four and has been teaching and choreographing since 2001. An ABT® Certified Teacher and certified Pilates instructor, she specializes in ballet, jazz, tap, pointe, theatre dance, and aerial silks. Since 2007, Natasha has served as Artistic Director of Weehawken Dance, creating multiple performances each year and teaching dance classes across Silverton, Ouray, Ridgway, and Montrose. Her energy, expertise, and vision inspire students, fellow teachers, and the community alike.
Claudia Brauer
Weehawken Arts Programs Coordinator
Claudia Brauer brings 15+ years of experience teaching and developing arts programs in schools and nonprofit organizations in Germany and the United States. After moving to Ridgway, she joined Weehawken Creative Arts in 2019, where she teaches youth art classes and curates a diverse range of adult art classes and workshops. She also helps curate open calls at the 610 Arts Collective Gallery. Claudia enjoys helping enrich Ridgway’s vibrant arts community and creating meaningful opportunities to connect through art.
Lexi Brailsford
Weehawken registrar & Box office Manager
Lexi has been part of the Weehawken community since 2016, starting as a parent volunteer backstage and assisting with props, costumes, and programs. As Registrar, she keeps enrollments and dance schedules organized, ensuring classes run smoothly for students, families, and instructors alike.
Anna Quickle
BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER (Weehawken & Sherbino)
Anna Quickle joined Ridgway from Ohio in 2022 and became part of the Weehawken Creative Arts and Sherbino Theatre team in 2024, now helping with business management and gallery coordination. With a background in musical arts and backstage production, she brings creativity and heart to everything she does.
Sue Husch
Community EVENTS & PARTNERShips Coordinator (Weehawken & Sherbino)
Sue plays a key role in shaping the non-music programming at the Sherbino and supports a variety of events for the Sherbino, Weehawken, and 610 Arts. Sue is technically employed by Weehawken Creative Arts and the Sherbino contracts with Weehawken to get community programs work from Sue. Sue has owned and operated an event planning business since 1998 and has worn many hats over the years—including serving as long-time administrator for the Peaks, Plateaus and Canyons Association, and team member at Second Chance Thrift Shop (since 2015).
Mary Menz
Special projects coordinator (Weehawken & Sherbino)
Mary Menz is Special Projects Coordinator for the Sherbino Theatre and Weehawken Creative Arts, bringing creativity and precision to everything from grant writing to event production. A former corporate writer and editor, she later became a Master Naturalist and Colorado Native Plant Master, authoring several guides to Western Colorado wildflowers, and leading popular Wildflower Walk & Talk events for Weehawken.
Jessica Fox
Montrose studio assistant
Jessica Fox is a Studio Assistant at Weehawken Dance, where she enjoys welcoming families at the desk and helping out behind the scenes with shoe fittings, steaming costumes, and working with the seamstresses.
With a background in Communications, Theater Speech, and Psychology, Jessica loves connecting with the studio community—and you will likely notice her Southern accent the moment you walk through the door!
As a mom of two Weehawken dancers, she has a deep appreciation for the studio. Having done a little dance, cheer and some theater growing up, Jessica especially loves how Weehawken brings kids together to collaborate on big, beautiful theatrical productions.
When she’s not working at the front desk or steaming costumes, she loves creating sidewalk chalk art, singing in the shower (karaoke on rare occasions), watching movies, and spending time with her family and their dog, Bruno.
Needs-Based Youth Scholarships
Needs–based scholarships are available for all youth classes and workshops. Applications must be submitted at least two weeks before the class start date to be considered.
Dance needs-based and work-trade scholarships are awarded each semester for youth dance classes. Learn more about eligibility and apply here.