Steamboat Springs Celebrates Olympic Legacy, Nature, and Community at February First Friday Artwalk

The event features art exhibitions highlighting birds, landscapes, winter sports, and the Yampa Valley's connection to the Olympics.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 4:47pm

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Steamboat Springs' February First Friday Artwalk will offer visitors an opportunity to connect with creativity, nature, and the community's Olympic heritage. The event features a variety of art exhibitions, including linocut prints of birds by Jill Bergman, finger-painted landscapes by Kathy Beekman, and mixed-media works by Paula Jo Jaconetta that explore the rhythms of small-town mountain life. Olympic gold medalist Deb Armstrong will also showcase her printmaking work, and other exhibits will celebrate winter sports and the Yampa Valley's deep ties to the Olympics.

Why it matters

The First Friday Artwalk highlights Steamboat Springs' vibrant arts community and the town's enduring connection to winter sports and the outdoors. The event provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to come together, appreciate local art, and celebrate the community's Olympic heritage and natural surroundings.

The details

The Alley Gallery will feature 'Birds: Linocuts' by Jill Bergman, showcasing her work depicting a range of bird species. The Schoonover Gallery will present 'The History of the Gondola,' a collection of finger-painted pastels by Kathy Beekman that capture the nostalgia and cultural significance of ski lifts. Steamboat Creates' Riverwalk Collective will spotlight local photographer and mixed-media artist Paula Jo Jaconetta, whose work explores the rhythms of small-town mountain life. Olympic gold medalist Deb Armstrong will also exhibit her printmaking work at the Depot Art Center, and other venues will feature exhibits celebrating winter sports and the Yampa Valley's Olympic legacy.

  • The First Friday Artwalk will take place on February 6, 2026.
  • Jill Bergman will host a bird-printing event on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2026, from noon to 3 p.m.

The players

Jill Bergman

An artist whose linocut prints of birds will be featured at the Alley Gallery.

Kathy Beekman

A master finger painter whose work capturing the spirit and energy of Western and Midwestern landscapes will be showcased at the Schoonover Gallery.

Paula Jo Jaconetta

A local photographer and mixed-media artist whose work exploring the rhythms of small-town mountain life will be featured at the Steamboat Creates' Riverwalk Collective.

Deb Armstrong

An Olympic gold medalist in women's giant slalom at the 1984 Winter Olympics, who has since turned her focus towards printmaking and will exhibit her work at the Depot Art Center.

Brian Bonebrake

An artist whose work celebrating winter sports and the Yampa Valley's winter identity will be featured at the Jace Romick and R-Diamond Gallery.

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What they’re saying

“The vastness of the natural landscape here inspires my work. My paintings reflect how I think and feel about my environment.”

— Kathy Beekman

“Living here slows me down and sharpens my noticing. The landscape and the people continually remind me to pay attention to cycles, to stories, to the beauty in both wildness and stillness.”

— Paula Jo Jaconetta

“I craved a new form of challenge, bringing the mountains to me. I was challenged to visualize, draw, interpret and construct in entirely new ways.”

— Deb Armstrong

What’s next

The Depot Art Center will host a live stream of the 2026 Winter Olympic opening ceremony during the First Friday Artwalk, allowing attendees to celebrate the Yampa Valley's deep Olympic tradition.

The takeaway

Steamboat Springs' First Friday Artwalk showcases the town's vibrant arts community, deep connection to nature, and enduring Olympic heritage, providing residents and visitors alike with an opportunity to come together, appreciate local art, and celebrate the unique character of this mountain town.