Westminster’s Node Arts Collective fosters accessible creative expression through an art café concept
March 27, 2026
Photo provided by Node Arts Collective
In 2025, Node Arts Collective opened in Westminster with the goal of filling two community gaps: financially accessible third spaces and open art studios.
Kira Blaus-Plissner, founder of Node Arts Collective, described the volunteer-led nonprofit as a “coffee shop for creativity” where anyone can come in to work on projects.
The idea for Node came from personal experience during a period of regular work travel. Blaus-Plissner’s studio was located in the Santa Fe Arts District, and outside of that, few third spaces seemed to be available for creative work and building a sense of community.
Through a team of five to six passion-driven people, Node Arts Collective offers people access to space and supplies on a donate-what-they-can basis.
Blaus-Plissner noted that not having a membership-based setup was a deliberate, significant choice.
“I think it's harder and harder to find places where you're allowed to exist without some kind of financial criteria, and that concerns me as a person. So, that is a really big part of our mission,” they said.
Crafting community
For Blaus-Plissner, Node also needed to be a low-pressure, smaller community place with neurodivergent visitors in mind.
Those interested can purchase community-led art classes; these take place on weekends, and their cost includes all the supplies attendees will need.
Their classes can be more technical, like linocut-focused sessions and bookbinding tutorials.
They also offer more exploratory options, like drawing monsters to process emotions and painting watercolor pieces that embrace mistakes.
Photo provided by Node Arts Collective
The nonprofit also hosts local events that community groups run in full. Blaus-Plissner noted that Node is “really trying to say yes more often than no,” bringing a lot of diversity to their calendar.
The founder shared three community-led events taking place at Node next month.
Node will host a free Listening Party Audiobook and Craft Club on April 4 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
On April 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., there will be a Finding Friends and Platonic Speed Dating Event.
Additionally, a Lost Wax Carving workshop with Denver Bronze Works is happening on April 25 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
More information on these upcoming events and workshops is available on the nonprofit’s website.
Showcasing support
Artists who want to focus more on displaying can apply for one of Node’s seasonal showcases.
Blaus-Plissner said showcases are in three longer cycles, so they have more time to connect with the artists; these happen in spring, summer and winter for three months, with a month in between each.
Photo provided by Node Arts Collective
Right now, they are in the middle of their spring showcase, but artists can watch for Node to publish an entry form, attached to a monthly call for the next one.
The founder said there is no application fee, but applicants may not receive an immediate reply with the new monthly call format.
The artists will likely have to share some of their work and a glimpse at their social media presence in their submission.
Funding creative freedom
Those who want to support Node Arts Collective further can do so through donations.
Blaus-Plissner shared that Node keeps paints, canvases, crochet supplies, foam board, leftover workshop stock and more available for visitors. Community members are welcome to donate art supplies by appointment, which they can set up via an email describing the items they have.
Photo provided by Node Arts Collective
Node Arts Collective is also fundraising, seeking 1,000 donors who are financially able to give $100. As of March 27, 990 donations are needed.
These will benefit several of the nonprofit’s operational costs, including offering event and class scholarships and covering the cost of bringing in artists for workshops.
Donations of any size can be made here.
Connect with the collective
More information and places to pitch workshops and events can be found on Node Art Collective’s website.
To stay up to date on Node activities, those interested can sign up for their newsletter; they also post announcements on Instagram, Facebook and Threads.
