Exhibitions to see in Denver this summer
June 21, 2024
Not only does the capital of Colorado have incredible natural beauty, but it also has a thriving arts and culture scene. So if you’re wondering what to do in Denver this weekend how about an exhibition or two?
Process Makes Perfect: Printmakers Explore the Natural World
At Denver Botanic Gardens until July 28, 2024
Between York Street and Cheeseman Park, you’ll find the beautiful Denver Botanic Gardens. You can walk around the 24 acres and spot plants from all over the globe, “Gardens at York Street” from the app helps you learn about many of them.
While you’re there check out their current exhibition: Process Makes Perfect: Printmakers Explore the Natural World. Thanks to Sharkive – the over-3,000-item archive of Shark’s Ink now owned by the University of Colorado – this exhibition is an opportunity to learn about lithographic printmaking through the work of various artists that focuses on the beauty of nature. Drawings, preparatory materials, and test proofs are displayed next to finished pieces so you can experience the artists’ process as well as the beauty of the final artworks.
Note that app links work best on your smartphone with the Bloomberg Connects app downloaded.
Process Makes Perfect: Printmakers Explore the Natural World
At Denver Botanic Gardens until July 28, 2024
Between York Street and Cheeseman Park, you’ll find the beautiful Denver Botanic Gardens. You can walk around the 24 acres and spot plants from all over the globe, “Gardens at York Street” from the app helps you learn about many of them.
Note you need to have the Bloomberg Connects app downloaded to open up app links.
While you’re there check out their current exhibition: Process Makes Perfect: Printmakers Explore the Natural World. Thanks to Sharkive – the over-3,000-item archive of Shark’s Ink now owned by the University of Colorado – this exhibition is an opportunity to learn about lithographic printmaking through the work of various artists that focuses on the beauty of nature. Drawings, preparatory materials, and test proofs are displayed next to finished pieces so you can experience the artists’ process as well as the beauty of the final artworks.
Note that you need to have the Bloomberg Connects app downloaded to open up app links.
Gala Porras-Kim: A Hand in Nature
At Museum of Contemporary Art Denver until September 1, 2024
Next up we have another nature-inspired exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver. MCA Denver was founded in 1996 by Philanthropist Sue Cannon with a mission to celebrate contemporary art in the heart of Denver. Although there isn’t a permanent collection on display here, they have exhibitions rotating 3–4 times a year.
Until September 1, you can see a solo show of works by Gala Porras-Kim, an interdisciplinary artist who is interested in what determines an object as art, and how different contexts may change that.
Gala Porras-Kim: A Hand in Nature focuses on the natural world and environment. The artworks include drawings and installations that grow and evolve throughout the exhibition, such as the salt-saturated concrete sculptures. Hear audio descriptions of selected pieces from the artist in the guide.
Gala Porras-Kim: A Hand in Nature
At Museum of Contemporary Art Denver until September 1, 2024
Next up we have another nature-inspired exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver. MCA Denver was founded in 1996 by Philanthropist Sue Cannon with a mission to celebrate contemporary art in the heart of Denver. Although there isn’t a permanent collection on display here, they have exhibitions rotating 3–4 times a year.
Until September 1, you can see a solo show of works by Gala Porras-Kim, an interdisciplinary artist who is interested in what determines an object as art, and how different contexts may change that.
Gala Porras-Kim: A Hand in Nature focuses on the natural world and environment. The artworks include drawings and installations that grow and evolve throughout the exhibition, such as the salt-saturated concrete sculptures. Hear audio descriptions of selected pieces from the artist in the guide.
Dialogue and Defiance: Clyfford Still and the Abstract Expressionists
At Clyfford Still Museum until January 12, 2025
The Clyfford Still Museum on Bannock Street features 3,125 works by Clyfford Still. When the artist died in 1980 he wanted his entire collection to be given to an American city that was willing to dedicate a museum to his work. His wife chose Denver from 20 cities that contended. The museum has 93% of his lifetime’s work and the complete archives.
Clyfford Still is said to be one of the leading Abstract Expressionists who developed a new approach to painting. He was critical of the art world and cut ties with commercial galleries but Dialogue and Defiance: Clyfford Still and the Abstract Expressionists curated by Valerie Hellstein looks at how he remained part of, and how his paintings promote the concept of, community. In the guide, we recommend listening to the Curator Introduction and Clyfford Still reads his “15 Americans” exhibition statement.
Dialogue and Defiance: Clyfford Still and the Abstract Expressionists
At Clyfford Still Museum until January 12, 2025
The Clyfford Still Museum on Bannock Street features 3,125 works by Clyfford Still. When the artist died in 1980 he wanted his entire collection to be given to an American city that was willing to dedicate a museum to his work. His wife chose Denver from 20 cities that contended. The museum has 93% of his lifetime’s work and the complete archives.
Clyfford Still is said to be one of the leading Abstract Expressionists who developed a new approach to painting. He was critical of the art world and cut ties with commercial galleries but Dialogue and Defiance: Clyfford Still and the Abstract Expressionists curated by Valerie Hellstein looks at how he remained part of, and how his paintings promote the concept of, community. In the guide, we recommend listening to the Curator Introduction and Clyfford Still reads his 15 Americans exhibition statement.
Vanity & Vice: American Art Deco
At Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art until January 12, 2025
Now, let’s head to the oldest commercial art building in Denver, Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art. It’s the former studio and school of artist Vance Kirkland.
Kirkland’s paintings cover a range of styles throughout his career from realism and impressionism to surrealism and abstract expressionism. Ending with the unique Dot Paintings. Vance Kirkland Gallery 1 is the place to learn about all five painting periods.
The museum is not limited to the work of Kirkland and has a great decorative art collection as well as a Colorado and regional art collection. The current exhibition Vanity & Vice: American Art Deco is full of glamor – it invites you to step back in time into two spaces belonging to a progressive Prohibition-era woman, her bedroom and a speakeasy. Explore the dynamic designs from 1920 to 1933 by taking the 11-stop Audio Tour for Vanity & Vice: American Art Deco.
Vanity & Vice: American Art Deco
At Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art until January 12, 2025
Now, let’s head to the oldest commercial art building in Denver, Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art. It’s the former studio and school of artist Vance Kirkland.
Kirkland’s paintings cover a range of styles throughout his career from realism and impressionism to surrealism and abstract expressionism. Ending with the unique Dot Paintings. Vance Kirkland Gallery 1 is the place to learn about all five painting periods.
The museum is not limited to the work of Kirkland and has a great decorative art collection as well as a Colorado and regional art collection. The current exhibition Vanity & Vice: American Art Deco is full of glamor – it invites you to step back in time into two spaces belonging to a progressive Prohibition-era woman, her bedroom and a speakeasy. Explore the dynamic designs from 1920 to 1933 by taking the 11-stop Audio Tour for Vanity & Vice: American Art Deco.
Espiritu Hermosx / Beautiful Spirit
At Museo de las Americas until July 14, 2024
Museo De Las Americas has been celebrating Latin American art and culture since 1991. It’s located in the heart of Denver’s Santa Fe Arts District and has a permanent collection of over 3,000 objects that represent the art, history, and traditions of Latin America.
The museum has three to five exhibitions each year, and currently you can see Espiritu Hermosx / Beautiful Spirit curated by Louis Trujillo. It features the work of LGBTQ+ Latinx contemporary artists and explores themes of resilience through personal stories of self identity, heritage and sexual preference. Highlights include “The Stonewall Series” by Claudia Zapata and “Adam and Steve Temptation” by Sean Trujillo.
Espiritu Hermosx / Beautiful Spirit
At Museo de las Americas until July 14, 2024
Museo De Las Americas has been celebrating Latin American art and culture since 1991. It’s located in the heart of Denver’s Santa Fe Arts District and has a permanent collection of over 3,000 objects that represent the art, history, and traditions of Latin America.
The museum has three to five exhibitions each year, and currently you can see Espiritu Hermosx / Beautiful Spirit curated by Louis Trujillo. It features the work of LGBTQ+ Latinx contemporary artists and explores themes of resilience through personal stories of self identity, heritage and sexual preference. Highlights include “The Stonewall Series” by Claudia Zapata and “Adam and Steve Temptation” by Sean Trujillo.
If these five exhibitions aren’t quite enough to fill your Denver culture cup, there’s also Molly Brown’s House Museum where you can learn all about one of the most famous survivors of the Titanic. Or Denver Art Museum – visit in person to see the Biophilia: Nature Reimagined exhibition and explore specifically-curated audio tours such as For Families: Get Moovin’ with Outdoor Sculpture! that invites you to move and stretch while discovering stories of outdoor artworks.
For these exhibitions and many more, make sure Bloomberg Connects is your companion.