Sarah Silverman, Gina Tognoni among teachers at Pueblo's 'Rocky Mountain Creative Experience'

Comedian Sarah Silverman and Emmy-award winning actress Gina Tognoni will lead workshops during the "Rocky Mountain Creative Experience," a series of summer events celebrating the arts in Pueblo, hosted by Colorado Arts and Artists Associates.

"The creative industry is a vital part of our community and really helps with the economic impact," said Kennedy Pugh, executive director of Colorado Arts and Artist Associates. "It's an industry that we need to really support."

The Rocky Mountain Creative Experience begins on June 10 with the two-day "Mindful Awareness Festival" at the Blo Back Gallery.

Free and open to the general public, the festival will show films from the Youth Documentary Academy, a Colorado Springs-based program teaching documentary filmmaking to students aged 14-18.

More: Pueblo County High School earns state awards for production of 'Zombie Prom'

Other films will also be screened and there will be live music, mental health resources and theater performances at the Impossible Playhouse, 1201 N. Main St., as part of the Mindful Awareness Festival.

"On Friday, there are two plays that will take place at the Impossible Playhouse," Pugh said. "'No One Hears Unless you Scream' will be at 3 p.m. at the Impossible Playhouse. 'Never Have We Ever' will be at 7 p.m."

Events will run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on both days.

'Creative Empowerment' with the pros

Silverman, Tognoni and other professional artists will give workshops over Zoom to students aged 15 to 22  from June 13 to 17 during "Creative Empowerment Week"

Classes and workshops will include acting, dance, improvisation, music, self defense, stage combat and stand-up comedy. Registration is open for Creative Empowerment Week until June 6, Pugh said.

"We have several kids in our community that are definitely in need of programming like this," he said. "We really need to branch out and make it accessible to everyone."

To register for Creative Empowerment Week, visit the Colorado Arts and Artists Associates website or contact Pugh directly at [email protected].

The summer's final event, Creative Showcase Week, will be held July 23 to 29 at the El Pueblo History Museum. The week will feature performances by Pueblo artists and Award-winning Spanish brass quintet RiuDolc.

Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached by email at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Silverman among teaching artists at "creative experience" in Pueblo