Five artists - Carlos Frésquez, Kelly Monico, Stuart Semple, Joel Swanson and Frankie Toan – will transform Downtown Denver alleyways into site-specific, sculptural art installations
With a goal of surprising, delighting and inspiring those who experience the alleyways, “Between Us” is closely aligned with Happy City Denver, the program that launched in May
On Friday, June 15, the Downtown Denver Partnership and the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District (BID), in partnership with The Denver Theatre District and Black Cube and with funding from Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, will launch “Between Us: The Downtown Denver Alleyways Project,” to bring additional art to Downtown Denver’s most underutilized public spaces: alleys.
The public is invited to the launch event on Friday, June 15 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event will begin in the alley between Larimer Street and Market Street off of 15th Street and tour the five alleys, with artist talks at each, led by the Montbello Drumline and ending with a reception at the Skyline Beer Garden at 6 p.m.
“The Downtown Denver Partnership and the BID are committed to creating vibrant and memorable experiences for everyone who visits, works and lives in Downtown Denver and have been focused on alley improvement for some time,” says Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “This investment in our downtown alleys provides the perfect opportunity to activate our alleys through art, encouraging people to spend time in these underutilized spaces, ultimately creating safe, welcoming and ‘selfie’-worthy places.”
Artists / Installations / Locations:
Carlos Frésquez / “Alley Freshener” / Between Stout & California Streets (southwest side)
Kelly Monico / “Alley Cats” / Between 14th and 15th Streets, Larimer and Market Streets
Stuart Semple / “I should be crying but I can’t let it show” / Between Champa & Stout Streets (northeast side)
Joel Swanson / “Y/OURS” / Between Curtis & Champa Streets (southwest side)
Frankie Toan / “Public Bodies” / Between Stout & California Streets (northeast side)
“Between Us: The Downtown Denver Alleyways Project” will launch in conjunction with “Happy City: Art for the People,” a six-week (May 18-June 30) citywide art intervention with the purpose of breaking down personal, emotional and social barriers, while nurturing individual and collective well-being. Initiated by British artist Stuart Semple, the project brings together more than 10 artists’ perspectives that address ideas of happiness and community wellness, in an effort to imagine a more connected society.
“By reimagining alleyways, ordinarily neglected civic spaces, ‘Between Us’ nurtures a transcontinental dialogue around the ideals of social trust and human connection,” said David Ehrlich, The Denver Theatre District executive director. “We are thrilled to have the chance to partner with the Downtown Denver Partnership and are grateful to the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District and the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation for funding to support this important initiative.”
About Black Cube
Black Cube is a nonprofit, experimental art museum that operates nomadically. Without the traditional boundaries of a physical building, Black Cube exists primarily through partnering with artist fellows to commission popup art experiences. Black Cube describes itself as an unconventional museum pursuing the most effective ways to engage audiences while supporting individual artists with critical professional guidance. For more information, visit http://blackcube.art
The City of Boulder's Office of Arts and Culture presents a weekend of activities celebrating public art in Boulder’s Civic Area. Public Art Social is an opportunity for the community to explore permanent and temporary public art projects that have been recently commissioned by the City. Attend a lightning-style presentation, meet the artists, participate in the artwork, and join a public art tour.
Explore new work from over 50 artists and creative businesses
Connect with creatives of all types and get a peek into their behind-the-scenes process
PRISM is located at 999 Vallejo, just off I-25 at the 8th Avenue exit
PRISM Workspaces is opening its doors for its semi-annual event featuring open studios, a food truck and entertainment. Meet PRISM’s creatives as they open their studios, offering their artwork and artisanal goods for viewing and for sale. In addition to open studios, the entire complex will showcase work of the PRISM community and guest artists. An added collaborative group exhibition titled ULTRA-VIOLET explores various interpretations of this elusive color of the PRISMatic spectrum.
Enjoy the music of DJ Solifique and Mööd Music with Dan Schwartz, Alex Snyder, Gio Bard Zero and Justin Davis. Food will be available for purchase by HechoColorado. For more details, see www.prismworkspaces.com
PRISM is a unique, creative community comprised of emerging and established artists, designers, and creative businesses of all types. With 63 units of workspaces designed for individuals and businesses to make their own, PRISM provides a collaborative environment and is open to the community daily as well as during select open studios and special events.
Artists include: Theresa Anderson, Matt Barton, Milton Melvin Croissant III, Carlos Frésquez, Vince McKelvie, Kelly Monico, Zach Reini, John Roemer, Stuart Semple, Joel Swanson and Frankie Toan
“Happy City: Art for the People” is a six-week, citywide art intervention with the purpose of breaking down personal, emotional and social barriers, while nurturing individual and collective well-being. The project is produced by The Denver Theatre District with artistic direction by Black Cube and is inspired by British artist Stuart Semple.
“Happy City” brings together more than 10 artists’ perspectives to address ideas of happiness and community wellness, in an effort to imagine a more connected society. The initiative will include a series of artwork interventions by local, national, and international artists spread throughout the public spaces of downtown Denver. Artists include Theresa Anderson, Matt Barton, Milton Melvin Croissant III, Carlos Frésquez, Vince McKelvie, Kelly Monico, Zach Reini, John Roemer, Stuart Semple, Joel Swanson and Frankie Toan. The installation sites include streets, alleyways, billboards, video screens and Union Station, among other locations.
In addition to the installations, the “Happy City” initiative will present “Happy Talks” and “Happiness Unpacked: a panel discussion,” deeper conversations exploring the intersection of art, mental wellness and civic participation, and engaging programming initiated and supported by nearly a dozen community partners.
“Happy City: Art for the People” is a result of collaboration among a number of funding partners, including Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, Community First Foundation, Denver Arts & Venues, Downtown Denver Business Improvement District, Downtown Denver Partnership, McWHINNEY, P.S. You Are Here, Sage Hospitality and VISIT DENVER.
Final Friday of the Month, January through October 2018
Events take place from 6–10 pm
Untitled is included in general admission; Members receive free admission to every Untitled event and all the special programming that happens inside
College students with valid ID receive 2-for-1 admission
Untitled Final Fridays just got even more creative. Each event is completely artist designed and delivered, highlighting each partner's unique talent and vision. Experience the museum in an entirely different way—every time.
For 10 seasons, Untitled has embraced experimentation and collaboration, and this year, we’re upping the ante. We’ve handed over the reins to amazing guest creatives who will design one-of-a-kind experiences and mix up the entire night’s programming by showcasing their work, inviting their friends and co-creating with you, while still providing the same hands-on and engaging atmosphere we all know and love at Untitled.
While we can’t tell you exactly what will happen (where’s the fun in that?!) we can promise you it will be a year unlike any other, with 10 totally different nights of creativity unleashed. Working alongside DAM staff, each group will showcase the museum in a whole new way and introduce you do the art and artists that make our city thrive. Untitled Final Fridays is the place to pick up new creative tricks, be inspired and discover new artists and culture makers, right here in Denver!
January 26: Laura Ann Samuelson (choreographer) and Nathan Hall (composer)
February 23: The Narrators (storytelling artists and podcast producers)
March 30: Steven Frost (fiber and installation artist)
April 27: Suzi Q. Smith (spoken-word artist)
May 25: Birdy (Denver art and culture magazine)
June 29: Jordan Knecht (multimedia conceptual artist)
July 27: Gregg Deal (artist and activist)
August 31: The Flobots (hip hop artists and activists)
September 28: Arthur Williams (floral artist)
October 26: Warm Cookies of the Revolution (civic health community organizers)
First Friday at the Art District on Santa Fe