TELLURIDE – Each Thursday evening this summer before Art Walk, select galleries around Telluride have been opening their doors just a little bit earlier to welcome children. KidsWalk was started “to encourage kids to enjoy the arts as much as their parents do,” says Kate Jones of Telluride Arts, which founded the program. “And we wanted to give them a designated time to do that.”

A treasure map and activity guide provides a self-guided tour for kids (accompanied by their parents) around town, leading them to places like Stronghouse Studios or the Wilkinson Library where they’re encouraged to explore and create. The Library, for example, has been teaching kids about the seven elements of the arts – the theme of this summer’s treasure hunts -- with food. “They’ll give kids a plate and whole finger foods, and ask them to make something that represents the idea of a shape or a color,” Jones says.

This week, Stronghouse Studios will offer kids a chance to explore another type of food; its resident artist, Judy Haas, has prepared a project to help children create a trout with pastels. KidsWalk Treasure maps are available at participating venues around town; the hunt begins at 4 p.m.