We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Roz Bagtaz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Roz , thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

When I opened the gallery, I wanted it to be a benefit to the small mountain community of Nederland, Co. This community is full of amazing artists and I realized that the community needed a beautiful space not only to display and sell artwork, but a space for people to gather for art classes, talks, demonstrations etc. As a newer member of the community, I felt this was a way for me to not only benefit and give back to the community, but to meet people and become a part of the community.

Roz , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

When I moved to Nederland after the death of my husband, I was at a bit of a loss as to what I should do. I had moved to Colorado for it’s sunshine and mountains, and to heal after a very difficult and devastating few years. I have done many different jobs over the years, ranging from children’s ministry to managing a bed and breakfast. I never thought I would own my own business, but when the idea came to me, and I found a space to rent, I ran with it. I enjoy design and decorating, and along with my contactor, I spent 2 months renovating the space which had been empty for three years and was in bad condition. I really wanted the space to be open and welcoming and to display all the varied artwork in a beautiful way. I’m so proud of what the gallery has become, and of the quality of work from local Colorado artists that we represent. When I opened, I hoped to be able to have 12-15 artists and now we have over 40! The art we show includes original paintings and prints, textile arts, jewelry, pottery, blown glass, stained glass, leather work, metal work, wood work, and photography. We also carry books from local authors, and art cards., We have a large printer and scanner for art reproduction, but we also do regular printing and copying for the community, as at the time we opened there was nowhere else in Nederland for people to go for these services.

Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?

Starting a new business is definitely not easy. I knew I needed to give it at least four years and we are just over two years in right now. I recently employed a full time manager (who happens to also be one of my artists) and went back to work full time not only to help support the gallery, but because I love working with children. There are sacrifices you make to keep a business going, especially when it’s a labor of love, like the gallery is for me. The sacrifice I made was moving away from my beloved mountains in Colorado to Omaha, Nebraska for a new job. I travel back to the gallery every other month, and still oversee things and take care of the financial side of the business. I’m very lucky to have my manager, Danielle Crouse, who is an amazingly talented artist, a wonderful manager, and a dear friend, I know I will return to Colorado one day, and I hope the gallery will continue to grow and thrive. I still very much feel like a part of the Nederland community as I still own a home there and, of course, the gallery.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Nederland is a community that attracts tourists due to its beautiful location, and outdoor activities including hiking, biking, and skiing. During the summer and fall we are busy with visitors to the community. New clients come from these visitors, but we also have local customers than learn about us through word of mouth, advertising, and social media. The winter is a tougher time for all businesses in this small mountain town, and we have to be creative by holding art shows and other events to attract customers.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kaleidoscope-finearts.com
• Instagram: kaleidoscope-fine-arts
• Facebook: facebook.com/kaleidoscopefinearts