About Us
You'll Love It Here
The Estelle Center for Creative Arts is located in La Veta, Colorado. La Veta offers rich history and inspiring scenery in a small town with delightful amenities and an eclectic community of artists.
The town of La Veta is a Certified Creative District of Colorado. The mission of the La Veta Creative District is to inspire and cultivate our diverse rural community through the development of the arts and creative industries.
Our Founder
Jennifer Peterson
Like many of us, Jennifer grew up in an environment where her value was linked to her productivity. Stepping into the art studio of her grandmother, Estelle, she discovered art as play. This childhood oasis full of color and light, smelling of clay, turpentine, and paint opened new doors to her.
With guidance from the gentle hand of Estelle, Jennifer experimented with different art mediums and found a stronger sense of self and freedom. She also redefined productivity for herself, one with a more compassionate framework. Through this kinder lens, she discovered that time spent playing in art is productive to one’s soul and adds strength to one’s entire character.
With the founding of the Estelle Center for Creative Arts, Jennifer is continuing her grandmother's legacy of giving artists a place where they can discover their strength, freedom, and self-compassion.
Our Executive Director
Sunshine Caulfield
Sunshine Caulfield is the Executive Director of the Estelle Center for Creative Arts. She is a visionary who enjoys interacting with artists and creatives. Sunshine is passionate about creating community through promoting creative self expression.
Sunshine handles all promotions, recruitment, events, retreats, communication and advertising for the Estelle Center. She also manages the daily operations of the Estelle Center venue.
She loves her community and is an advocate for the unique small town charm that is La Veta. Sunshine is a trustee for the La Veta Public Library and the La Veta Cuchara Foundation.
Some of her previous projects have been in the art of growing food. Sunshine was the Marketing Director for the Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens in Goleta, CA. She successfully doubled the membership of the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) from 150 to 300 members. Sunshine then went on to manage all operations of her own family farm, Crazy Dog Farm, in Cawston, British Columbia. They had a wildly popular farmers market stand and wholesale business with pastured organic eggs, biodynamic stone fruit, strawberries, a wide variety of ground crops, and wheat-free value-added goods.
Sunshine is an animal and nature lover and when she is not busy with the Estelle Center she can be found exploring the wilderness and taking photos with her furry friends. She has been a petsitter/caretaker for many years. Sunshine is thrilled to be a part of the exciting creative opportunities that the Estelle Center for the Creative Arts is bringing into reality.
Mission
Our mission is to offer a beautiful, collaborative, welcoming space where creative journeys are cherished and people experience self-discovery, self-compassion, and joy.
Vision
We live in a peaceful, joyful world where productivity is measured in collaboration and creativity.
Values
● Collaboration● Community● Service● Inclusive● Resourceful● Innovation● Integrity● Respect
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