Paint Box Guild
The longstanding Paint Box Guild of Littleton will hold an exhibit called “Inspirations” at Town Hall Arts Center’s Stanton Gallery, 2450 W. Main Street, Littleton. The group of 40 active members plus more “associated members” meets each Wednesday to paint and study at the Littleton First Presbyterian Church. (In May, painter Robert Gray of Highlands Ranch is scheduled for a workshop.) Diane Fechenbach of Light Shadow Studio, an award-winning artist from Highlands Ranch, was juror for this exhibit, which runs through May 14. A public reception will be from 4 to 6 p.m. April 28, when the community is invited to meet the artists. Gallery hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and during performances. 303-794-2787.
Scamper and slither
Naturalist/writer Mary Taylor Bradford of Castle Rock has published a new book called “The Guide to Colorado Mammals” and will appear at the Tattered Cover LoDo at 2 p.m. on May 5 to meet readers and sign copies. On June 25, she will appear at Castle Rock’s Phillip S. Miller Library at 7 p.m. with the topic “Scamper, Slither, Gallop and Hop: The Wildlife of Colorado.” She is working on a centennial book for Rocky Mountain National Park and will teach two writing classes there this summer: July 15, “Paint your Prose: Create a Sense of Place Using Nature Writing Techniques”; Sept. 15-16, “Write Here in Rocky!” rmna.org.
Catherine Coulter
Best-selling writer Catherine Coulter will be featured at two events presented by Arapahoe Library District: A Clear Writing Workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. May 3 at Koelbel Library, 5955 S. Holly St., Centennial and a Meet the Author event from 7 to 9 p.m. May 9 at Denver Marriott Tech Center, 4900 S. Syracuse St., where she will discuss and sign her books, provided by Barnes and Noble. (Doors open at 6 p.m. and seating is first come, first served.) Her 16th book, “Backfire,” will be published in July. Free and open to the public, but reservations are required: 303-LIBRARY or arapahoelibraries.org.
Ray Tomasso
Artist Ray Tomasso of Englewood will have an exhibition of his works, called “Luminous Flux,” from April 26 to May 19 at Ice Cube Gallery, 3320 Walnut St., Denver. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Thursdays
Susan Montague
Artists on Santa Fe, 747 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, will feature “Faces” by local watercolorist Susan Montague May 2 to 28, including during First Friday Gallery Walk, from 6 to 9 p.m.. A reception for the artist will be on Friday, May 18. Gallery hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. 303-573-5903.
Takacs Quartet
Cellist Judith Glyde will perform with the Boulder-based award-winning chamber music ensemble Takacs Quartet at 7:30 p.m. May 1 at Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood. Tickets: 426, 303-987-7845, lakewood.org/culturalcenter. Free parking.
Dia Del Nino
Clyfford Still Museum will join the celebration of children from noon to 4 p.m. April 29 on the plaza between the Denver Art Museum, Denver Central Library and the Byers Evans House. The newly opened History Colorado Museum will also be involved in this free event for families.
Free book
The selected title for One Book for Colorado, “Maybe A Bear Ate It,” was announced April 18 and every 4-year-old in Colorado can get a free copy, while supplies last, from April 18 through 29. This is a statewide initiative to encourage family reading at home, supported by many organizations across the state and Lt. Governor Joe Garcia. Each library in the Arapahoe Library District will be distributing the book, as will all libraries through the state. 303-LIBRARY, arapahoelibraries.org. A call to other south area libraries finds that they will also be involved: Bemis in Littleton the entire time; Englewood April 28; Douglas County various times at various libraries. See website under “events” at douglascountylibraries.org.
Ragtime
The Cali-Co Ragtime Quartet will perform at 7 p.m. April 28 for the Ragtime Society of Colorado at Onofrio Piano Company, 1332 S. Broadway, Denver. Members, from Colorado and California, are Mart Eggers, piano; Virginia Tichnor, drums; Maurie Walke, banjo and Bill Clark (Of Queen City Jazz Band) on tuba. Tickets: $20, $15 members. 303-979-4353, president Colleen Vander Hoek of Littleton, or at the door.
So soft
The Great Western Alpaca Show, which includes South Area growers, will be held at the National Western Complex in Denver May 4-6. The Fiber Fiesta includes products made by local alpaca owners and free demonstrations. Visitors can also visit with alpacas and owners. Admission is free. alpacabreeders.org.
