about us

cpr-cjones_museum-of-friends-maria-brend

brendt & maria

overview

The Museum Of Friends (MoF) is a contemporary art museum that opened in October, 2006 in the Southern Colorado rural community of Walsenburg. Brendt Berger's and Maria Cocchiarelli’s shared vision for the new museum was to create a place where everyone feels welcomed and the art created by all people valued. The initial collection of 600 works given by their friends became the core of the collection. Over the last 15 years it has grown to over 1600 works that includes paintings, sculptures, fine art prints, drawings, photographs and digital media. MoF occupies 10,000 square feet of museum display space, with classroom areas, a gift shop and a lower level. MoF is known for it’s inclusive and egalitarian open door policy with intention to uplift the community through discussions of creativity, inclusion and developing opportunities. Many public and educational programs and exhibitions explore how cross cultural understanding and tolerance can make for a just and peaceful society.

MoF’s grand opening in October, 2007 encouraged the community to explore the building with tours on the 2nd floor that included: the permanent collection, the administrative offices, an art resource library, a visiting artist apartment and two galleries devoted to the Pacific. These explore pre-Columbian Mexican, Australian, Japanese, Southeast Asian and focus on Aboriginal Polynesian artifacts. The works on display are greatly treasured by Brendt Berger as they have been passed down to him from his Native Hawaiian ancestors.

In 2010, MoF began to occupy the entire building including the first and lower level establishing the changing exhibition and educational programs, and gift shop Made in Walsenburg.

about the collection

Fellow artists gave the works on view as gifts over many years. MoF opened the exhibition space in 2006 with the intention of giving back to the community of Walsenburg and Huerfano County what was freely given in friendship – art by artists from around the world. The permanent collection is housed on the second floor and includes over 1600 artworks: paintings, fine art prints, sculptures, photographs, drawings and digital media. The artists represent diverse backgrounds, interests and styles. Primarily the works are contemporary with a few from earlier eras. The art work in this collection are representative of contemporary issues that explore the artist’s role in society; the his/herstory of art in Southern Colorado and the Counter Culture; many created by marginalized artists whose work speaks of resiliency and connection to others (separate from the commercial gallery system.)

Brendt and Maria welcome you
to the museum!

MoF contains some collections such as: Myron Woods' Photographs from the Ford Foundation Project Life in Southern Colorado’s Drop City, Trinidad (1960’s;) Zoe Childerley’s Where’s Walsenburg?photographs of Huerfano County and community intervention; Richard Mock’s editorial illustrations (linocuts – many hand water colored) for the New York Times and three series of lithographs from Petroglyphs of Northern Mexico series. Paul Valadez's The Great American Mexican American Songbook; Maria Cocchiarelli’s Looking Down series and an archive of public art from 1990 until the present; Brendt Berger’s Pattern Paintings and Prints from 1970’s to the present; an archive of children's sketches from MoF workshops and public art projects; Civitas and Community Matters Charette Architectural Drawings of Reimagining Downtown Walsenburg with Urban Planner and Richard Farley, AIA. A section of the permanent collection is devoted to two galleries of Native Hawaiian art given to Brendt Berger by his Native Hawaiian ancestors. A Kahuna bowl from practicing ancestor in 1700’s, a Kapa Moi ancestral bed and hand stitched quilts from early 1800’s, kalabashs, serving platters, ivory ankle bracelet all pre contact and much more. For a complete list of artists in the permanent collection, click here.

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, MoF is open by appointment during regular hours Tuesday through Saturday. Guest tours are limited to ten or less. Masks and social distancing will be enforced. To visit please schedule on line by gong to “Tours” and to “In-Person Tours.” We look forward to meeting you and sharing the collections.

If you prefer you can have a virtual experience by going to: “On-Line Tour Experience the Art Now” an audio/visual excursion that tells stories of the friendships with the artists in the permanent collection. The introduction is by Valarie Abney who directed the on-line project with the help of the Fox Theatre as we responded to COVID-19. This will give you a taste of the whole permanent collection about 200 works out of 1600 works of art.

Meet Our Team

building history

Roof & Dick Building
For several decades the 1910 Roof & Dick Building has anchored the heart of downtown Walsenburg, including with national chain stores like J.C. Penney (1932-1976) and Ben Franklin (1977-1985).

Over time the building has been altered from its 1910 appearance to accommodate the needs of its commercial tenants. Today the building is the home of the Museum of Friends.

2017 Gala Fundraiser Save the Roof & Dick Building Program Guide

2019 Gala Fundraiser Save the Roof & Dick Building Program Guide