On a chilly fall morning, Greeley’s downtown is set to transform into a vibrant canvas for many young artists as they gather for the annual Day of Art. Streets known for their bustling nightlife will burst with creativity, bringing together all kinds of artists and patrons.
But this event is more than just a showcase — it’s a testament to Greeley’s thriving arts program at UNC, and behind the scenes is a team of passionate artists who believe in the power of local creativity to shape the future of their city.
The “Day of Art” is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 25. Various events will be taking place throughout the day in the heart of downtown Greeley, including at the LINC Library, Luna’s Tacos and Tequila, The Midnight Oil Bookstore and The Rio.
The first annual “Day of Art” was held back in 2022. The original idea was to give performers from UNC’s School of Performing and Visual Arts a chance to perform for an audience that otherwise would never have seen their work. UNC Theatre Education Professor Gillian McNally has organized the event since 2023, and has expanded the event’s reach to ensure that all types of artists get a chance to share their work with the Greeley community.
“A lot of it is just connecting with my colleagues,” McNally said. “And asking: ‘What’s available? what do you have that we can share with our community?’”
Kicking off the event, UNC undergraduate theatre education students will read the children’s book “The Little Rabbit Listened” to children at the LINC Library. Following the reading, students will lead a drama-based workshop to tap into children’s imaginations and act out the story.
From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., UNC visual arts students will proudly share a variety of their work at The Midnight Oil. In addition to this, two special exhibits will also be on display: “Caminos Por Andar: Latinx Futurism and Expanded Realities” at the Campus Commons Gallery and “How to Earn Your Big Girl Panties” at the Mariani Gallery in UNC’s Crabbe Hall.
At 12 p.m., UNC fourth-year musical theatre students will perform a 45-minute showcase of their talents at Luna’s. At 1 p.m., UNC’s chamber ensemble will provide their audience with 30 minutes of wonderful music at The Rio.
For performing arts students, the Day of Art offers the rare opportunity to perform outside of campus. Olivia Wilson, a fourth-year musical theatre major at UNC, explained that she enjoys sharing something that she is so passionate about with others.
“I love sharing my art with other people,” said Wilson. “I think it’s something that is so important and has impacted my life in such a positive way.”
The final event of the day begins at 5:30 p.m., as the UNC marching band will serenade the downtown crowd with their performance. Afterwards, audience members can return to The Rio for a drink or a snack, as it will be extending its happy hour.
McNally emphasized the importance of this event for many members of the community: For UNC students, it is a chance to have their work seen by a larger audience outside of UNC. For Greeley residents, it is a chance to be exposed to arts and culture curated by and for their own town.
“We have such a large community component to every single performance and sharing that we have here in Greeley,” McNally said. “So it’s really just this beautiful partnership to celebrate both our community of Greeley, and also to celebrate the amazing artwork of our young people here at UNC.”
For those who cannot attend the Day of Art, many of the groups featured have regular performances scheduled throughout the school year. For more information, visit the UNC Arts events calendar online.
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