Art shows, news, events and visual trends

Arts

Art is on the walls at this Denver gallery, but so is the building’s 150-year history

Buildings hold the stories of our cities and that is particularly true of the stone structure currently housing the Emmanuel Art Gallery on downtown’s Auraria campus.

The building housing the Emmanuel Gallery has been around for 150 years. A new exhibition inside commemorates the milestone. (Photo by Ray Mark Rinaldi)

The Aspen Music Festival’s Michael Klein Music Tent was designed by Aspen’s star architect Harry Teague. (Provided by the Aspen Music Festival)

When it comes to Colorado’s world-class summer classical scene, place matters

1 week ago

Alex Branch’s “Ground Cover” greets visitors upon arrival at the Arvada Center’s new exhibition “Titing West.” The conveyor belts are in constant motion, making the wheat seem as if it is blowing in the wind. (Ray Mark Rinaldi, Special to the Denver Post)

New exhibit rewrites Western history, starting with tumbleweeds

2 weeks ago

“The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art” was organized by the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. (Ray Mark Rinaldi, Special to The Denver Post)

These works by Australian Indigenous artists have never been to the U.S.

By Ray Mark Rinaldi

June 22, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

'The Stars We Do Not See' is an ambitious traveling exhibit now at the Denver...

Artist Patrick Shearn's kinetic aerial sculpture "Sun Splash" takes shape over Denver Union Station's plaza fountain on Thursday, June 18, in Denver. (Provided by Michael Chavez, Denver Arts & Venues)

Colorful floating sculpture now flying high over Denver’s Union Station

By John Wenzel

June 24, 2026 at 3:17 p.m.

The kinetic sculptures are expected to be a major draw for Denverites and visitors to...

A trio of paintings by Angel Ricardo Ricardo Rio, which share the title "The wall that divides my studio from the open high school.” (Daniel Tseng, Special to The Denver Post)

Enjoy the visceral pleasures of abstractionist Angel Ricardo Ricardo Rios’ work

By Ray Mark Rinaldi

June 15, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Are these images flowers or birds or butterflies? Or are they simply shapes and dashes...

Jaume Plensa’a monumental sculptures "Julia and Lou” on the grounds of the Denver Botanic Gardens. (Provided by the Denver Botanic Gardens)

Denver Botanic Gardens’ summer exhibit offers a chance to introduce kids to fine art

By Ray Mark Rinaldi

June 7, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

A retrospective of work by the Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa includes simple, easy-to-like objects.

“Adelitas," by Amanda Lopez, taken during the annual Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza at the National Western Stock Show. (Provided by the Colorado Photographic Arts Center)

Searching for modern cowboys: Every gallery and museum wants to revisit the old West these days

By Ray Mark Rinaldi

May 21, 2026 at 1:50 p.m.

Art curators in Colorado are obsessed with presenting work that reframes traditional views of Western...

One of Desiree Woody’s finished shoes is displayed at a shoe-making class at the Colorado Shoe School in Bellvue on Feb. 27, 2021. (Eli Imadali, Special to The Denver Post)

Want to get off your phone? Learn blacksmithing or floral design at these Colorado classes and makerspaces.

By Mindy Sink

May 15, 2026 at 1:55 p.m.

It's time for an “analog summer” with less screen time and more learning thanks to...

Ana María Hernando’s "Seguimos cantando (Waterfalls)” fills the large gallery space at the MCA Denver. The monumental work is made from tulle, wood, wire mesh, felt, plastic fasteners and velvet. (Daniel Tseng, Special to The Denver Post)

Take this arty road trip, and dive into the work of a top Colorado talent

By Ray Mark Rinaldi

May 11, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Ana María Hernando has shows at two of Colorado’s most important contemporary museums. It��ap an...

The exhibition “Awful Bigness” at the Clyfford Still Museum in 2023. (Provided by the Clyfford Still Museum)

What does a painting sound like? The Clyfford Still Museum has lots of ideas.

By John Wenzel

May 5, 2026 at 11:37 a.m.

Denver's renowned Clyfford Still Museum is turning its galleries into immersive sound baths.

This painting "Lauren Hill," by the artist Aqua One, is showing at the CHAC gallery space. Image provided by CHAC.

The best art to see in Denver this spring

By Ray Mark Rinaldi

May 3, 2026 at 5:59 a.m.

The best art to see in Denver this spring

“A Cut Above” is on display in the bride leading to the A Concourse at Denver International Airport. (Ray Mark Rinaldi, Special to The Denver Post)

The airport isn’t an art gallery, but shows like this woodworking exhibit are worth more than a fly-by

By Ray Mark Rinaldi

April 20, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

It��ap easy to overlook the art at Denver International Airport, even though the curators there...

Artist Mark di Suvero's 16-ton "Lao Tzu" sculpture, as it appeared on Acorn Plaza before it was taken down in 2017. (Provided by University of Denver)

Iconic Denver sculptures, some in storage for years, moving to DU campus

By John Wenzel

April 16, 2026 at 2:09 p.m.

The re-installation includes seven pieces from the Denver Art Museum that were formerly scattered around...

A detail from Sammy Seung-min Lee’s wall of dumplings. (Daniel Tseng, Special to The Denver Post)

Artist’s giant wall of dumplings speaks to Asian diaspora and connections

By Ray Mark Rinaldi

April 13, 2026 at 7:49 a.m.

She moved to the United States from Korea more than three decades ago, when she...

The CSF team was impressed with Pippin’s mix of “big personality and zero stage fright” and her fast-learning energy. (Provided by Kim Howell)

Meet the Boulder dogs cast in this summer’s Colorado Shakespeare Festival

By Brittany Anas

April 9, 2026 at 10:48 a.m.

After a highly competitive canine casting call, two Boulder dogs have been cast in Colorado...

The exhibit features more than 60 garments from the Denver Art Museum’s permanent collection. (Eric Stephenson / Provided by Denver Art Museum)

Denver Art Museum digs into its closet for fun fashion show

By Ray Mark Rinaldi

April 6, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

The good news is that “Conversation Pieces” is full of good taste and great examples...

City Park Jazz reboots quickly after fire, will use mobile stage for 2026

By John Wenzel

April 6, 2026 at 3:09 p.m.

"The rebuilding shouldn't be contingent on the pocketbooks and charity of the neighbors," said CPFAN...

Marcos Acosta’s oil on canvas painting “Halo,” from 2026. (Provided by K Contemporary)

The wild, metaphysical West of Marcos Acosta

By Ray Mark Rinaldi

March 30, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Artist brings a new perspective to an old genre of landscape painting. His new solo...

This sixth-century marble head was excavated from Turkey in the 1930s. It remained part of the Denver Art Museum's collection until last year, when it was returned to Turkey. (Courtesy of the Denver Art Museum)

Denver Art Museum returns sixth-century marble head to Turkey

By Sam Tabachnik

March 25, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

The museum formally removed the object from its collection in September and returned it to...

Artist Dmitri Obergfell made four editions of his ceramic chess set, in different finishes (Provided by David B. Smith Gallery) .

Colorado artist Dmitri Obergfell has some deep ideas about chess

By Ray Mark Rinaldi

March 23, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

“The Idiot��ap Defense,” currently at David. B. Smith Gallery, is an homage to chess, and...

People pack center stage during Denver PrideFest at Civic Center Park on Sunday, June 23, 2024. (Photo by Zachary Spindler-Krage/The Denver Post)

Here’s what 4/20 Fest, PrideFest and other events are doing while Civic Center park is under construction

By John Wenzel

March 18, 2026 at 1:32 p.m.

A $50 million renovation of the park is underway and huge events must adapt, producers...

Denverse Magazine, founded in 2024, publishes quarterly issues that include savvy writing on the city's arts and culture. Pictured here: the Winter 2026 issue, with a cover by Karl Christian Krumpholz. (Provided by Denverse)

Denver arts magazine takes strong anti-AI stance | ��ap

By John Wenzel

March 17, 2026 at 9:19 a.m.

The local arts publication is packed with original writing, art and love for the Mile...

The Arvada Center’s tagline is “Home of Colorado Artists.” (Provided by the Arvada Center)

How the Arvada Center shaped — and supported — Colorado art over the last 50 years

By Ray Mark Rinaldi

March 12, 2026 at 1:47 p.m.

Over the past two decades, the Arvada Center galleries have emerged as the most important...

Guliana Petrie adjusts her tiara during the Youth America Grand Prix at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts & June Swaner Gates Concert Hall in Denver on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

PHOTOS: Youth America Grand Prix ballet auditions at University of Denver

By AAron Ontiveroz

February 23, 2026 at 10:47 a.m.

The Youth America Grand Prix took place at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts...

The view from the stage at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. (Provided by Opera Colorado)

Opera is not a cheap ticket, but a special performance this week is different

By Ray Mark Rinaldi

February 23, 2026 at 8:35 a.m.

Opera Colorado marks the 20th anniversary of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House with a fundraising...

The aerial sculpture "Off the Beaten Path" undulates in the wind in summer 2025 in Green Mountain Falls in El Paso County. (Jeff Kearney / TDC Photography for Green Box)

Colorful floating sculptures will fly over downtown Denver this summer

By John Wenzel

February 19, 2026 at 2:47 p.m.

A city agency is paying artist Patrick Shearn $625,000 to design the kinetic installations.

History Colorado chose the 50 most important events in U.S. history for “Moments that Made US.” (Ray Mark Rinaldi, Special to The Denver Post)

New Colorado exhibit doesn’t whitewash history — a novel approach in today’s political climate

By Ray Mark Rinaldi

April 7, 2026 at 1:49 p.m.

History Colorado has named its newest exhibition “Moments that Made US,” but the most important...

Gladys Caldwell Fisher’s limestone rams. (Caroline Miller, provided by Elizabeth Schlosser)

New book: Denver’s public art is more than blue bears and mustangs

By Ray Mark Rinaldi

February 9, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Author Elizabeth Schlosser names the art masterpieces of the city’s early years.

A print by Evan Colbert, who is Jim Colbert��ap son. (Ray Mark Rinaldi, Special to The Denver Post)

Artistic families make for multigenerational works in new exhibit

By Ray Mark Rinaldi

February 2, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

“Family Ties” at Arvada Center includes names like Lobato, Strawn, Bayer, Baer, Sink

From left: Skyler Bible, Lucy Boynton, Oliver Diego Silva, David Duchovny, Hope Davis, Ariela Barer and Cooper Raiff appear in See You When I See You," written by Adam Cayton-Holland. The narrative feature is an official selection of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. (Provided by Jim Frohna/Sundance Institute)

Two new Colorado films garner Oscars, Sundance buzz this week

By John Wenzel

January 22, 2026 at 3:11 p.m.

Andrea Gibson doc "Come See Me in the Good Light" and Adam Cayton-Holland's "See You...

Cleo Parker Robinson, front, watches a rehearsal in the Marcelline Freeman Studio at the Cleo Parker Robinson Center for the Healing Arts in Denver on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

Step inside Cleo Parker Robinson’s $25 million new addition, a state-of-the-arts utopia

By John Wenzel

January 21, 2026 at 4:26 p.m.

The Denver dance legend just opened a 25,000-square-foot addition in Five Points

"Springtime in the Rockies," 34” x 34," oil on canvas by Logan Maxwell Hagege. (Provided by the Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale)

Painting the old West in new ways at the National Western

By Ray Mark Rinaldi

January 20, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Logan Maxwell Hagege is this year’s featured artist at the Coors Western Art Exhibit &...

Country singer Adda Boyd will play Number Thirty Eights annual Bison Days series that coincides with the National Western Stock Show. (Photo by Mackenzie Karoline Myers, via Adda Boyd)

Country Western crooners, IMAX otters and more things to do in Denver this week

By John Wenzel

January 15, 2026 at 7:05 a.m.

Plus: a protest-music workshop and immersive theater and art from The Impliers.

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