History

The Mission of the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts is to nurture emerging artists, demonstrate cultural creativity, and promote the fine arts and humanities in the Tri- Lakes area and beyond.
Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts had its beginnings in the summer of 1998. Local artists gathered together and created an arts center for the Tri-Lakes area in one of its oldest buildings. With a generous gift from a donor and the stipulation that the Arts Center be self supporting, the Kaiser-Frazer building was transformed into the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts. The Arts Center planned to be a non-profit entity so they would be eligible for funding through grants and charitable donations. Their purpose was to bring local artists together in a spirit of creativity and to collaborate and also to have a center for the community. TLCA was issued a 501(c) 3 designation in January 1999.

Previously the building was the site of the Thomas A. Hanks Livery Stable and Transfer Service in 1898, Palmer Lakes first livery stable. Later owned by Charles Orr, it was an Angora rabbit wool processing plant in 1957. The Denver Rio Grande Railroad repaired train cars in the south end of the facility. For many years, the Trailways bus stopped here in Palmer Lake. Fred Walker purchased a portion of the facility in 1969. His hobby was purchasing and restoring Kaiser and Frazer cars. The Kaiser/Frazer sign was bought from a shop in Pueblo in the mid-70’s.
Over the years, the Art Center has hosted many art exhibits featuring local and international names, concerts, preforming arts, lectures, dances, and fundraisers. Some events over the past years have been Palmer Lake arts and Community Event (PLACE), Tri-Lakes Children’s Art Exhibition, Sock Hop, Oktoberfest, Icicles & Mistletoe Gala, Taos Film Festival and lectures featuring photographer John Fielder and mountain climber Simon Yates. The Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts has become a thriving venue for art exhibits, concerts, benefits, children’s events, lectures, theater, demonstrations, receptions, classes, workshops and events for the community.

The Mission of the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts is to nurture emerging artists, demonstrate cultural creativity, and promote the fine arts and humanities in the Tri- Lakes area and beyond.