Hi there!

I’m Mckenzie Lipe, and I am the founder of Alpenglow Art Center.

After studying at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and experiencing the energy of a vibrant creative community, I was inspired to bring that same sense of connection, exploration, and artistic opportunity to the mountains. As a professional artist, educator, and recipient of SAIC’s Distinguished Artist Scholarship, I’ve spent years creating, teaching, and building relationships with artists across the country — all of which led to the vision for Alpenglow: a welcoming space where people of all ages and experience levels can create, learn, and connect through art.

I founded Alpenglow because I believe creativity is essential to a healthy community. In mountain towns, where long winters and seasonal isolation can contribute to loneliness and disconnection, art offers something deeply needed: an outlet for expression, healing, and human connection. My goal is to create more than just an art center — I want Alpenglow to be a place where people find inspiration, discover new skills, build confidence, and experience the restorative power of making something with their own hands.