ADVISOR TURNED ARTIST TURNED BUSINESS OWNER

Kestrel Fields Studio & Artist Residency is the dream (come true) of Fort Collins artist, Heather Matthews.

Officially declaring herself "an artist" took some courage, but she decided to own it in 2008 after participating in a transformative mixed-media art workshop. In 2013, she signed up for art school while she worked full-time at Colorado State University. Soon enough, art became her life and she reduced to part-time work so she could invest more in her art practice. 

Heather loved her work at the university in advising and leadership for a small science-oriented program called Wolves 2 Rams. She addressed systemic barriers in order to provide better access to higher education, was a cheerleader to students, helped people navigate the complex process of getting a bachelor's degree in science, and built on her diversity knowledge and leadership skills. Nevertheless, as time went on her desires eventually shifted to engage more with art and with people in the Fort Collins arts community.

In 2018, Heather created her own art retreat. She booked a modern cabin in the mountains about an hour's drive from home. She took a couple days off work and moved her and her art supplies in. She turned off the internet, then proceeded to eat, sleep, and breathe art for five days. That experience formed the seed that has become Kestrel Fields Studio & Art Residency.