MONTE  VISTA — Since 2024, local artists and other creative have enjoyed the art space, The Church Project, located in the former First Baptist Church on South Broadway Street. 

The project's mission is to provide the space and freedom for all people to unlock their creative potential. 

"At The Church Project, Community Art Center, we believe the power of the arts unlocks creativity and brings people together to develop and nurture creative problem-solving skills that can be applied to everyday life and work environments. We do this through various artistic mediums such as journalism, music, dance, theatre, and visual arts," according to the website of the center. 

The facility is the brainchild of multidisciplinary artist Madeleine Ahlborn. Trained at the Museum of Fine Arts and Tufts University, the New Hampshire native made her way west and settled in the Valley. 

An outdoor enthusiast who has fit right into Colorado, she began hiking on the Appalachian Trail "the day after graduation; it was a lifelong dream," hiking from Georga to Vermont. "As a kid, I thought one day I'm going to hike the whole thing." 

Ahlborn spent four months on the hike, which included the states of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont.   

Locally, she and a few friends made a “first ascent of the west face of Crestone Peak, a 2,000-foot big wall climb back in 2023.” 

A hiker she met on the Appalachian Trail introduced her to the Valley and she moved to the Narrow Gauge Railroad Inn located in Antonito. She later enrolled in the graduate art program at Adams State University. 

"I'm not from the Valley, but I have felt welcomed into the community and have worked many different jobs here. Now, I work for SLV GO! as their grant writer," she said. 

Ahlborn wanted to create a space for artists and creativity and noted the duality of many artists in the Valley who have a day job and a creative job, “You would never think that some rancher that runs cattle in the mountains is also an incredible sculptor of metal and welding. We [artists] all have these other positions in which we work. Even though we don't own the artist title, it doesn't mean we don't live a creative life. 

"I never went to a grant writing class, I just learned how to tell the most authentic story and play the game of what the application looks like. It is just the skill set of adjusting your perspective. Ultimately, that is what I do as an artist. If I can provide an opportunity for a shift in perspective, then I've done my job. Allow them to walk through the door. That is my goal to hold that space." 

On acquiring the church, Ahlborn said, "It was a lot that happened really fast, and I think I am still processing the speed of how it all happened.” 

After ending a professional relationship with another art collective, her landlord told her he owned another building, "it is a church, " he said and offered her a tour. Needing a place to house materials and work, they agreed on "a handshake deal" for $300 a month in rent. In July of 2023, she moved in and began to envision what the entire building could be. 

"What if this whole building turned into a community space, and what if we brought it back to a new notion of fellowship, not in a particular religious sense but bringing it back to the community and giving this space back to the community," she said. 

Two months later, the owner of the building offered to sell it to her for a "screaming deal, $100,000 for this 8,000 square feet historic building. For me, as a starving artist, the most expensive thing I ever owned is my 2002 Toyota Forerunner with 340,000 miles on it." 

After working with friends and supporters, she secured a bank loan and bought the building in January 2024. Later that month, The Church Project opened its doors. The cornerstone on the church dates to 1910, and in researching documents, she found references for the church dating to 1888. 

"We are building a community of creatives," Ahlborn said. The venue is for the community, not just artists. Today, the community center is a bustling hub of creativity, home to a diverse range of events, including open studio time, meditation, music, and workshops. Most Sundays, there is Dance Church and a stretch and meditation on Thursday. The variety of events ensures there's something for everyone, and always something new to discover. 

Recently, History Colorado held a public meeting at the church. Several dozen participants gathered under the direction of local historian and artist Katie Dokson. After brainstorming sessions, the participants made nominations for places to list as state historic sites potentially. 

Olivia Carsner leads a guided stretch and meditation session every Thursday from 5:15 to 6 p.m. 

"The energy and support from the community are the lifeblood of this space, keeping it vibrant and alive,” said Ahlborn. 

For the full schedule of happenings at The Church Project and to learn more about how to get involved, visit www.thechurchproject.co. The Church Project looks forward to welcoming you to this vibrant community. 

The Church Project is at 256 S. Broadway in Monte Vista.