In 1996, Dr. George Rivera, Professor of Art in the Department of Art and Art History at the 鶹 founded the Artnauts with the help of Dennis Dalton (professor University of Colorado Pueblo, Beth Krensky (professor University of Utah) Garrison Roots, and Luis Valdovino (professors 鶹). The group has captured the attention of thousands of artists, community members, and art critics both nationally and internationally.