Meet Lars Sage | Art Gallery Manager

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

Hi Lars, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
When I was trying to determine what to do for a career after graduating from college, I took a risk applying for a position for a Job Corps program that I knew nothing about, got hired and had an incredible experience, which propelled me for further experiences. Subsequent job positions were also an opportunity to take a risk, not only in applying for them but also in pursuing those opportunities once hired. Working with people has been the primary activity in those positions, which includes dealing with migrant and seasonal farmworkers, running a group home for problem behavior kids, a county social worker, to being a state consultant for child abuse and neglect, Then I took a risk to quit my job and go full-time to earn my MFA in Theatre. After graduating, moving to NYC to work for a theatre company as well as doing my own projects was once again taking a risk into the “unknown”. Coming out as a gay man during my graduate school years was also a major risk because of being married and having a daughter, yet it freed me to become a full person. Basically, taking risks, not only revealed my ability to learn to take on, adapt and grow in the various positions I’ve taken but also learning about the abilities, talents and skills, I had to make these experiences successful. “Taking the Great Leap of Faith” has been my life philosophy. Even up to this latter part of my life, when moving to Estes Park, nine years ago, I reached out to volunteer to become more involved in this community and found myself involved in the arts organizations since then, which led me to the present position managing the Art Center, While, I may not be an artist, I have been able to relate to artists and promote them. Even though you may not feel “fully qualified” to pursue possibilities, taking a risk to try most often leads to unexpected experiences and accomplishments.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My willingness to take risks and try out new ideas and opportunities and develop them. In the various positions I’ve held, I have been able to create, develop and establish new programs, which both make me proud and excited. I got to where I am because I have been open to new opportunities that presented themselves along the way. Taking on new experiences wasn’t always easy, especially when starting in a new position, having to learn “the ropes” so to speak. Patience and perseverance, willingness to learn, to create and promote ideas and taking opportunities to collaborate with others to achieve those ideas helped me to deal with the challenges that came along. Lessons learned, I would say is to believe in yourself, to be open to working with others in a collaborative effort and be not afraid to be creative. If the world were to wishing to know anything about me it is that I am existentialist who believes life is a journey filled with opportunities and possibilities and where that journey takes you depends on the choices made in determining which of those opportunities and possibilities to pursue. After that, who knows where you’ll end up.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To pick one someone is difficult since the truth is that there are always people who both influence and give you chances to prove yourself. Perhaps, being now in the position I am in, I would credit and give a shoutout to Lynda Vogel, who was the Director of the Cultural Arts Council of Estes Park. She not only encouraged me to volunteer but later on hired me for a part-time position, which firmly established me in the arts in this community. While other people deserve credit for the position I now hold, I believe that Lynda Vogel’s willingness to offer me that position, truly helped me find my “purpose” since moving to Estes Park, which eventually led me to where I am today.

Website: www.artcenterofestes.com

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Twitter: artcenterestes

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Image Credits
(left to right) Opening at the Cultural Arts Council Estes Arts District Board Estes Arts District at Lumpy Ridge Brewery Wedding with my partner Wedding Vows Art Center of Estes Park Board