Meet Beth Anderson | Artist & Founder of The 9318 Collective

We had the good fortune of connecting with Beth Anderson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Beth, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The idea of opening a co-op started brewing in my brain about 12 years and 1,800 miles ago. Working as an artist on the tri-state festival circuit at the time, I was surrounded by like-minded creative soul sisters. While also raising two beautiful boys who swam in the river all summer and chased snow in the winter in the Laurel Highlands of Southwest Pennsylvania.

This lady tribe of mine dreamt of opening an art and wellness center. We searched for property, organized weekly gatherings, worked our way through Julia Cameron’s gem of a book, The Artist’s Way. We collaborated, laughed, cried, and grew together. All up until life threw my sweet little family a curveball.

This took us on the adventure of a lifetime and landed us at the end of the rainbow in the San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado where I eventually fulfilled my dream and opened The 9318 Collective.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The 9318 Collective features the work of over 20 local artists. Located in the remote town of Silverton, Colorado (elevation 9318′), it has turned out to be a likeness to the old movie, Field of Dreams… remember “If you build it, they will come”? Turns out that folks in the region were looking for just what I was building — talk about grateful!

With plans for a big Grand Opening celebration in the Spring of 2020, I spent the winter prepping the space, talking with the locals, inviting the community into the space to introduce myself and the concept. Things were great!

And then the world got to March. 2020. And things were not so great. The entire concept depended on gathering, collaboration, togetherness… all of the things we were told to no longer do.

I switched gears and opened a shop. Still featuring local art but missing all of the pieces that were most important to me. And I just kept saying to myself, and pretty much anyone who would listen to me at that point, “We just need to make it to next year”.

Well, we made it, and 2021 served up it’s share of challenges as well, but we edged closer to the vision I held so dearly in my head and heart. By the end of the 2021 season, I found myself pretty exhausted and less than jazzed about my “job”. So I took a leap of faith, and adopted the cooperative business model that was the goal from the get go.

And guess what? It worked. We are stronger than ever right now in 2022. This crew of artists has stepped up to every challenge and persevered.

I can’t wait to see what happens next.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would spend the days hiking in the San Juans, and/or jeeping over Stoney Pass.

To get a little mining education, we would visit the Historical Society’s Museum adjacent to the San Juan County Courthouse, as well as The Old Hundred Goldmine Tour. Visiting the red light district on Blair Street never disappoints.

Lunch at Avalanche Brewing and drinks and live music at the Columbine Roadhouse to round out the evening. Since I live closer to Purgatory Ski Resort, our local home away from home is The Olde Schoolhouse.

The Silverton Creative District hosts a Summer Sounds concert series the third Friday of the month, June-September. This is a fun opportunity to hang with the locals and listen to some fantastic live music.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The 9318 Collective would not exist without the exceptionally talented group of local artists who took a chance with me and believe in the concept. It’s true that these people fill the space with their artwork, however, more importantly, they fill it with energy, ideas, collaboration and just plain old goodness.

Supporting one another on the artist’s journey is at the core of what we do, leaving competition at the door to create a safe environment to bounce ideas off of one another, ask for critiques, problem solve and celebrate one another’s successes.

I always say that our space isn’t for everyone, and if you get it, you get it, if you don’t, you don’t. These people get it.

Also, my husband, Brian, who made me sign the lease back in 2019 when pursuing this dream was the furthest thing from my mind.

Website: www.the9318collective.com

Instagram: @the9318collective.com

Facebook: @the9318collective.com

Image Credits
Photo of Beth: DeAnne Gallegos Photos of musicians, family at the workshop, oil lamps: Wesley Berg All others: Beth Anderson