Local Artist Aida McDowell Wins Cortez Historic Preservation Coloring Book Contest

The Cortez Coloring Book contest, a collaborative project with the City of Cortez, the LOR Foundation, Cortez Retail Enhancement Association, and the City of Cortez Public Arts Advisory Committee and Historic Preservation Board, has declared its winners. The contest invited local artists to create coloring book pages that celebrate Cortez's history. It attracted over 70 entries from 29 local artists and students, including eight cover page designs.

A panel of judges from various organizations selected 32 submissions for the printed coloring book. A digital version will feature at least one submission from each participant, regardless of their inclusion in the physical book.

Artists such as Abby J. Fox, Aida McDowell, Alia Trice, among others, had their work included in the physical book. Aida McDowell’s design was chosen for the cover page. Other artists, including Deb Silverman, Joel Gamache, Kate Rowan, and others, received an honorable mention and will have a half-page artwork in the book.

Additional artists, including Annalise Cunningham, Carson Achter, Cecilia Cunningham, and others, will have their work featured in the digital version. T.J. Zark, of HelloZark, is handling the graphic design for the final publication. The completed coloring book will be available for purchase at the Montezuma Heritage Museum and Cortez Cultural Center in mid-May 2024. A free, downloadable version will be accessible on the City of Cortez website in early May.

The City of Cortez thanked all the artists who participated in the competition. Helen West, Community & Economic Development Specialist, said, “This project has been enjoyable. We aimed to celebrate Cortez's history and our local artists through this coloring book.” All entries will be displayed at the Cortez Cultural Center from May 2 – 4, 2024. The public is invited to a reception for the artists on Friday, May 3rd from 4:30 – 6 p.m., with a formal recognition of the artists at 5:30 p.m.

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