Wednesdays at Western provide opportunities for Gunnison visitors and residents to spend a Wednesday enjoying and learning about the area. The single-day courses are as diverse, engaging and entertaining as the instructors who are leading the courses. Western Extended Studies would love for you to experience a great Wednesday at Western. Sign up today!
Western State College of Colorado is a four-year liberal arts and sciences college located in Gunnison, Colorado. Western’s mission is to provide exemplary undergraduate education. Located in an alpine valley 7,735 feet above sea level, “Gunnison Country” has been called Colorado’s most beautiful area.
INTRODUCTION TO FLY FISHING WITH THE GUNNISON RIVER FLY SHOP
Day/Date: Wednesday, June 23
Time: 9:00am-3:00pm
Meeting Location: College Center parking lot on Escalante Drive
Registration Deadline: Monday, June 21
Transportation, fishing equipment, and a sack lunch are included.
A valid fishing license is required. Cost is $9.00. A one-day fishing license can be purchased at the Gunnison River Fly Shop. Participants must be at least 10-years old.
Cost: $ 10
Join passionate fly fishermen, Bruce Hoagland, Aren Lindquist, and Brian Wheeler for a single-day workshop to learn the basics of fly fishing. The first stop of the day is at the Gunnison River Fly Shop where participants get outfitted with the appropriate equipment and can purchase a fishing license before traveling to Roaring Judy Hatchery ponds. Instructors discuss many aspects of fly fishing with an emphasis on casting mechanics. Hands-on practice is a part of the day. The program also includes a fly presentation and discussions about what kind of gear to choose, the kind of fish to chase and the insects to imitate.
Bring a daypack containing 1-2 liters of water, snacks, a light rain jacket, appropriate footwear and layers of comfortable clothing for possible inclement weather and insects. Wear clothes that can get wet and dirty. Sun protection is a must (sunscreen, polarized sunglasses and a sun hat) and insect repellent is highly recommended. Feel free to bring your personal fly fishing equipment.
Bruce Hoagland has been fly fishing for more than 40 yrs. He is now retired but has held such positions in Trout Unlimitedas National Board Member, Executive Director, and the former Colorado Trout Unlimited Chapter President. Aren Lindquist, a Colorado native, has spent the last 10 years honing his fly fishing skills on the South Platte as well as the rivers of the Gunnison Valley. Brian Wheelerholds a B.A. in Anthropology from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and has guided rafting and fishing on the Ocoee and Hiawassee Rivers in East Tennessee as well as in the Gunnison Valley. He is a graduate of the fly fishing guide school taught through Hubbard's Yellowstone Lodge in Emigrant, MT.
BLACK CANYON GEOLOGY TOUR WITH BRUCE BARTLESON
Day/Date: Wednesday, June 30
Time: 8:00am-5:00pm
Meeting Location: College Center parking lot on Escalante Drive
Registration Deadline: Monday, June 28
Transportation and a sack lunch are included.
Cost: $20
Take a one-day field trip with Bruce Bartleson to discover one of the most unique aspects of Gunnison Country geology: the North Rim of the Black Canyon National Park. Learn about the volcanic history of the region, including the Dillon Pinnacles, other geological features of Western Colorado, and the origin of the Black Canyon and its history.
Bring additional snacks and drinks. Wear appropriate footwear for light hiking and clothing for inclement weather.
Dr. Bruce Bartleson is a Professor Emeritus at Western State College where he taught geology for 33 years. He has led field trips and done geologic consulting throughout the West. In recent years, he has become well known as a local weather historian.
HISTORY TOUR OF THE TAYLOR PARK AREA WITH DUANE VANDENBUSCHE
Day/Date: Wednesday, July 7
Time: 8:00am-5:00pm
Meeting Location: Kelley Hall 121
Registration Deadline: Monday, July 5
Transportation, breakfast, and a sack lunch are provided.
Cost: $25
Take a memorable historical journey through Taylor Park, over Cumberland Pass, and down into Pitkin with renowned local historian Duane Vandenbusche. Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the Almont Lodge while hearing the highlights of Almont’s beginnings. Visit Taylor Park Dam before stopping in the beautiful and historically restored mining town of Tin Cup. Sight-seeing upon Cumberland Pass and a lecture at the Quartz-Alpine Tunnel are not to be missed. The final destination of the tour is a visit to the Pitkin Historical Society Museum.
Bring additional snacks and drinks. Wear appropriate footwear for light hiking and clothing for inclement weather. Participants walk and travel at elevations of more than 12,000 feet.
Duane Vandenbusche has been a Professor of History at Western State College since 1962. He has authored seven books and two videos on the Gunnison Country and Western Colorado history. He also served as cross country and track and field coach for 36 years. His passions include skiing, mountain biking, climbing and baseball.
BASIC SWING DANCE WITH RITA BOHN AND BOB WOJTKO
Day/Date: Wednesday, July 7
Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm
Meeting Location: West Gym on Western State College of Colorado campus
Registration Deadline: Monday, July 5
Cost: $5
Be ready for your summer dancing engagements after an evening workshop with long-time dance team, Bob Wojtko and Rita Bohn. Learn a sequence of standard Single Swing dance steps for Swing, Rock n’ Roll and Country-Swing music. Discover what music is ideal for the Single Swing dance. Learn the standard Swing steps: Basic, Ladies Outside, Underarm Turn, Ladies Inside Under Arm Turn, Backpass, and Handslide in both closed and open dance positions. In the program’s final 15 minutes, apply the Single Swing dance steps to Triple-Swing music.
Wear shoes that you would wear to your upcoming dancing event.
Rita Bohn,after a career as a homemaker and mother, Rita received an undergraduate degree in psychology and acquired a master’s degree in public health. Rita is passionate about quilting, dancing and watching Bob cook. Bob Wojtkospent his professional career working for prominent computer and media-software companies before working as the supervisor of the Government Bond Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of N.Y. Bob's passions include videography, dancing, cooking and fishing.
OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY WITH MIKE BROOKS
Day/Date: Wednesday, July 14
Time: 8:00pm-11:00pm
Meeting Location: Kelley 121 and carpool to the Gunnison Valley Observatory
Registration Deadline: Monday, July 12
Cost: $5
Begin the evening with an astronomy presentation by Mike Brooks. Then through hands-on methods of instruction, engage in observational astronomy by exploring and using the various equipment of the amateur astronomer. View the heavens with a range of telescopes, including the Gunnison Valley Observatory’s 30” research-capable telescope and have the opportunity to learn how to operate the 30” telescope.
Mike Brooks is a Professor of Communication and Theatre at Western State College and President of the Gunnison Valley Observatory.
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP AND DAY HIKE WITH ALLAN IVY
Day/Date: Wednesday, July 21
Time: 6:30am-2:00pm
Meeting Location: College Center parking lot on Escalante Drive
Registration Deadline: Monday, July 19
Transportation and a sack lunch are included.
Cost: $10
Come along with Allan Ivy on a moderate three-to six-mile round-trip day hike and photography workshop in the mountains surrounding Gunnison. Learn about the unique challenges the backcountry offers regarding composition, lighting, camera care and safe wilderness travel. During this fun and informative day, participants enhance their photography skills. All levels are welcome. Bring your own digital or film camera.
Bring a daypack containing 1-2 liters of water, appropriate footwear for hiking, wind and rain jackets, a warm hat, layers of clothing, additional snacks, camera and sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses and sun hat).
Allan Ivy has pursued photography as a hobby and career for more than 30 years. After years of traveling and photographic journeying, Allan and his wife now spend their summers residing in Gunnison as owner of Mesa RV Resort. In 2006, Allan compiled his images of the American West in “The Grand Circle.”
WILDFLOWER HIKE WITH KAREN IMMERSO
Day/Date: Wednesday, July 28
Time: 8:00 am -5:00 pm
Meeting Location: College Center parking lot on Escalante Drive
Registration Deadline: Monday, July 26
Cost: $10
Transportation and a sack lunch are provided.
Spend a wonderful, flower-filled day above Crested Butte with Karen Immerso. Wildflower discovery takes place while participating in a moderate three-to-six mile hike through low alpine tundra. Seeing wildflowers and learning about high-altitude flora is accompanied with the opportunity to take time for photography, writing and/or drawing.
Bring a journal/sketch pad, pencil, or camera and a daypack containing 1-2 liters of water and snacks. Wear appropriate hiking footwear and layers of clothing (rain jackets and warm hats) for possible inclement weather. Bring walking sticks or trekking poles if you have them and sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun hat).
Karen Immerso, veteran field instructor for Outward Bound in Colorado and former Director of Western’s Wilderness Pursuits program, has many years of hiking, climbing and instructing mountain skills.
WATERCOLOR SKETCHING WORKSHOP WITH MELISSA NEUNER
Day/Date: Wednesday, August 4
Time: 8:00am-3:00pm
Meeting Location: Hurst Hall 133
Registration Deadline: Monday, August 2
Art materials and lunch are included.
Cost: $10
Join instructor Melissa Neuner for a full-day workshop that includes pen and ink sketching finished with watercolor washes. Learn basic sketching techniques, focusing on using lines to create space and value. Finish with instruction on how to utilize the translucent quality of watercolor paints, how to mix and find colors in a palette, and how to vary color for a three-dimensional look. All levels are welcome. Leave with a beautiful piece of multimedia artwork!
Melissa Neuner is the owner of The Studio Art School in Crested Butte. Melissa is passionate about providing extracurricular arts programming for community members and visitors of all ages. Before opening The Studio Art School, she taught art courses for years in Crested Butte.
BEGINNING BIRD WATCHING WITH JIM BARRY
Day/Date: Wednesday, August 11
Time: 6:00am-2:00pm
Meeting Location: Hurst 133
Registration Deadline: Monday, August 9
Transportation and a sack lunch are included.
Cost: $10
Start the day with bird enthusiast Jim Barry and a quick review of the participants’ bird watching experience and equipment before traveling to Neversink Nature Trail for morning hours of viewing nesting birds. Next, adventure off to Cooper’s Ranch for more bird viewing and lunch. The final stop is Blue Mesa Lake for observing water birds and learning how to use a spotting scope. Learn to look for a variety of birds and practice viewing techniques such as noticing habitants, seeing visual clues and listening to the surrounding sounds. Don’t miss this chance to see a number of birds that nest in the Gunnison area.
Bring a small notebook, pencil, binoculars, a field guidebook (if you have one) and a daypack containing 1-2 liters of water and snacks. Wear footwear and layers of clothing (windbreaker and warm hats) for possible inclement weather, and bring sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun hat).
James Barry is a Professor Emeritus at Western State College of Colorado. He has a doctorate in sociology and his avocation is bird watching. He has birded throughout North America and during trips Mexico, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Peru.
LEARN HOW TO DRAW ANYTHING AND ENJOY IT! WITH BOB MAURER
Day/Date: Wednesday, August 18
Time: 9:00am-5:00pm
Meeting Location: Hurst 133
Registration Deadline: Monday, August 16
Art materials and a sack lunch are provided.
Cost: $10
Ready to finally have all of your “How do I?” drawing questions answered, regardless of your artistic skill level? Life-long artist Bob Maurer offers in-depth methods so that anyone can learn how to draw trees, flowers, buildings, people, animals, and scenery. After working with Bob, come to understand positive/negative seeing, perspective, light and shade on form, and design and proportions of the head and figure. Become knowledgeable about what drawing tools you need to continue your craft and how to buy them. All abilities are welcome and encouraged.
Bob Maurer, former art director of ABC-TV, Denver, has taught drawing and painting for the past 38 years as a sole source of income. He has owned three successful art schools and taught workshops at Western State College, Mesa College and Angelo State University. He has also taught at the Gunnison Arts Center and is a National Arts for the Parks winner. Bob now teaches privately.
