In a city known for its thoughtful growth and strong sense of community, the arts are finding an increasingly vibrant voice thanks in large part to the women behind the Centennial Arts and Cultural Foundation.
At the center of it all is Stephanie Piko, former mayor of Centennial, who helped transform a community’s desire into a tangible, thriving initiative. “Our mission is to celebrate, inspire and connect art and culture in Centennial,” Stephanie shares. “For years, I kept hearing from residents that there wasn’t a real place for art. That stuck with me.”
What began as a simple idea of wrapping traffic signal boxes with public art to commemorate the city’s 20th anniversary quickly evolved into something much larger. “It was a relatively easy and inexpensive way to bring color into the community,” she explains. “But more importantly, people responded to it. That’s when we knew we were onto something.”
From there, Stephanie, alongside fellow founding members Tammy Maurer and Kathy Turley, launched the nonprofit foundation in 2021. What started as a small, hands-on effort has since grown into a dynamic organization producing murals, public art installations, interactive community events and now the inaugural Centennial Fine Art Festival.
Still, the foundation’s impact isn’t measured solely in programs; it’s found in the quieter, deeply human moments. Stephanie recalls receiving a note from a local resident whose wife, living with Alzheimer’s, found joy in driving around the city to visit each painted traffic box. “He said it gave her a way to engage and get out of the house,” Stephanie says. “When you hear things like that, you realize it matters.”
That sense of purpose is matched by a team that embodies this issue’s theme: powerhouse women. “We just get it done,” Stephanie says with a laugh. “There’s no glamour in setting up tents, hauling supplies or power washing a bridge for a mural, but we do it.”
Each member brings a distinct strength, creating a balance that allows the foundation to operate at a remarkable level. From logistics and creative direction to community outreach and social media, the group functions as a cohesive unit grounded in trust. “When people know what they’re responsible for, you can count on them,” Stephanie explains. “That’s what makes it work.”
For Board President Julie Holt, that collective energy is what continues to propel the foundation forward. “As we celebrate our fifth anniversary, we also celebrate the many collaborative partnerships we’ve built with local organizations and businesses, both large and small,” she says. “Involving the community has made our projects and events more robust and truly brought a new level of excitement to Centennial.”
This spring marks a major milestone with the launch of the Centennial Fine Art Festival, taking place May 30–31, with a VIP preview on May 29. In partnership with Colorado Art Weekend, the event will bring local and regional artists together for a weekend celebrating creativity and connection.
“It’s something the community has been asking for,” Stephanie says. “We knew we couldn’t do it alone, so finding the right partner made all the difference.”
As the foundation continues to grow, so do its ambitions. Expanding public art, increasing community engagement and building a sustainable model for the future. At its core, the mission remains the same: creating spaces where art and people intersect in meaningful ways.
For women looking to make an impact in their own communities, Stephanie offers simple but powerful advice: “Lean in. Show up, ask questions and stay consistent. There is always an opportunity to get involved.”
And in Centennial, thanks to a group of women willing to roll up their sleeves, that opportunity is more inspiring than ever. www.centennial-art.org