Visual artists are known for their generosity of spirit. In addition to putting their heart into creating beautiful artwork, they are charitable with causes they believe in. Since first creating his stunning natural landscapes, Golden artist Topher Straus has felt it was important to integrate a giving program into his business model.

To date, he has raised $35,000 for non-profits and continues to do so through his TOPHER GIVES initiative. This includes funds raised for BGold n— a non-profit in his town that provides food and educational resources for the underserved in the area — and an upcoming partnership with Sauvage Spectrum Winery to raise funds for Conservation Colorado Education Fund.

Four of Straus’s colorful limited-edition contemporary landscapes — Maroon Bells, Vail, Garden of the Gods, The Ascent Longs Peak and Golden Sun  — are being showcased at The Golden Mill Food Hall at 1012 Ford St. in Golden. Their prominent display at this popular riverfront location helps raise awareness of the Bgoldn programs and a portion of the proceeds from these works is being donated to the organization. He has also donated a portion of the profits from the sale of the original Golden Sun work that depicts the sun setting over the rock formation on South Table Mountain. The funds raised to date for their organization covers 2 months of operating costs for BGOLDN’s Fresh Food Pantry, which provides fresh, healthy meals for approximately 100 local family each week. 

“The impact Topher has made within BGOLDN and therefore our community is beyond what we would have ever imagined. Topher puts his heart into this relationship, and we can tell that he genuinely feels called to give back. He is, by definition, a collaborative, supportive partner and we feel extremely grateful for his involvement in BGOLDN.”
Cassie Sander, Strategic Partnerships and Marketing, BGOLDN

On his website Straus offers a total of 25 size 30” x 60” limited editions of each landscape and a singular original sized at 45” x 90”, all sublimated onto aluminum. There will only ever be one series of each landscape, so owners of these works will have unique statement pieces to treasure for years to come. Art and outdoor lovers alike are encouraged to visit his website at www.topherstraus.com or stop by the Golden Mill to view in person and learn more about BGoldn.

While Straus enjoys helping the people in his immediate community he also understands the greater need to conserve and protect our public lands and environment. United by this passion, he is working with Sauvage Spectrum Winery in Palisade, Colorado. Twenty percent of the proceeds from the sale of each bottle from their wine collaboration will be donated to Conservation Colorado Education Fund whose mission is to protect Colorado’s climate, air, land, water, and communities, through organizing, advocacy, and education. The bottle features Straus’ painting of the Black Canyon National Park and the wine is an aromatic bouquet of apricot and honeysuckle balanced harmonically with a round medium body and light soft tannins. Wildflower honey and lime meringue flavors are laced with a touch of almond on the finish. The wine can be purchased by visiting https://bit.ly/TopherWine. 

BGoldn partners with the community to address food insecurity. Their vision is to ensure food security for all and continue to work on creating sustainable solutions to overcome the challenges of food insecurity across every generation and culture. For more information visit bgoldn.org

With the beautiful Clear Creek flowing by the Golden Mill is “The Backyard” of Golden. The long, rich history of The Golden Mill as a place for the community of Golden to gather, share stories, and connect with their neighbors is carried through to today. They bring people together through warm, friendly hospitality, unique and authentic food, and a varied selection of the best beer, wine, and spirits Colorado has to offer. Visit thegoldenmill.com for more details.

Conservation Colorado Education Fund (CCEF) works in non-partisan ways to engage conservationists in the civic arena. It also conducts non-partisan civic engagement work such as Get-Out-The-Vote efforts, grassroots organizing on specific policy issues, and other campaigns on behalf of our environment. conservationcoef.org/

As a Colorado native raised in the foothills above Denver, Straus’ art reflects his love of the natural surroundings with powerful statement pieces that instantly surprise and engage the viewer. His process merges technology with an artist’s eye for form and color to highlight the essence of each subject matter, allowing his digital creations to pop off the metal substrate he prints on. Straus is proud to have been recognized on a national level with the US National Park Service. Beginning in 2021 his “Tetons National Park” painting will be on permanent exhibit at the visitor’s center in the Grand Tetons National Park in Wyoming. Straus is an active, enthusiastic promoter of his own work and the art community in general. He currently lives and works in Golden, surrounded by the wilderness that inspires him. Straus is represented in Colorado by Vail International Gallery, Breckenridge Gallery, R Gallery Art Bar in Boulder, The Kowen Gallery in Westminster, Uptripping in Winter Park, Evergreen’s Mystic Trinity Gallery and Slate Gray Gallery in Telluride.  www.topherstraus.com.