Art season sizzles

From exhibits in the city to festivals across the state, creativity is in full swing

By Mary Voelz Chandler, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published May 17, 2008 at midnight

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Javier Manzano © The Rocky

An exhibit at MCA/Denver shows people singing an array of Bob Marley songs, to form a collage celebrating diversity.

More escapes

More Impressionism heads to the Denver Art Museum, MCA/Denver will open five exhibitions, the Democratic National Convention has inspired a digital media festival with big-ticket artists and a new art fair is setting up shop in Santa Fe.

Welcome to Summer 2008, which promises to be a fast-paced season, no matter what your political persuasion.

Here's a sampling of the art offerings this season in Colorado, from shows to festivals across the state.

Metro-area exhibitions

Denver Art Museum

The museum is well into a regular exhibition cycle again, and this summer marks the conclusion of one Impressionism show ("Inspiring Impressionism," up through May 25), and the beginning of another: "Landscapes From the Age of Impressionism" opens June 13 with 40 paintings from the 1850s into the early 20th century.

Also on view there: "Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt," through July 6; "Amish and Mennonite Quilts From the Big Valley and Beyond," through July 13, and "Clyfford Still Unveiled: Selections From the Estate," extended through Nov. 16.

* Where: 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway

* Information: 720-865-5000; denverartmuseum.org

MCA Denver

The former Museum of Contemporary Art/Denver has navigated its transition into a new home in the Central Platte Valley with a series of quick-rotation exhibitions. Five shows open this summer, including Suzanne Kuhn on May 27, solos by Brad Kahlhamer and Jack Balas on June 3, Adam Helms on Aug. 12, and Jane Hammond on Aug. 19. "Making Public Buildings," a museum-wide installation of models and photographs by museum architect David Adjaye, continues through May 25.

* Where: 1485 Delgany St.

* Information: 303-298-7554; mcadenver.org

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

The museum continues its spring show - "Gold" - through June 8, a glittering yet educational exhibition assembled by New York's American Museum of Natural History with an assist from the Denver museum. The show is free for members, but costs from $6 to $16 for the public.

The institution also plans to launch an IMAX Film Festival June 13 to mark the 25th anniversary of its Phipps IMAX Theater. Running through Sept. 25 are mega-movies such as Alaska: Spirit of the Wild (1997), Coral Reef Adventure (2003) and the legendary first-IMAX-at-the-Phipps To Fly (1975).

But if you're looking for the museum's popular Hall of Life installation, you won't find it: The museum closed that attraction in April to create a new health-related installation called Expedition Health, to open in April 2009.

* Where: 2001 Colorado Blvd.

* Information: 303-322-7009; dmns.org

The Lab at Belmar

The Lab goes in search of wonder this summer, with "Silent Films and Bedroom Paintings." From May 22 through Aug. 31, this means paintings by artists such as David Reed and Maggie Michael, and films set next to each other to accentuate the imagery.

Co-curators are Lab executive director Adam Lerner and Jennifer Peterson, a professor in the department of film studies at the University of Colorado.

Also, Aug. 25 through 31, the art space will feature part of the DNC-related "Dialog:City," with work on artificial intelligence by Los Angeles-based artist and educator Lynn Hershman.

* Where: 404 S. Upham St., Lakewood

* Information: 303-934-1777; belmarlab.org

Foothills Art Center

The center marks its 40th anniversary with a show and an event. "XL" continues through July 6 as an exploration of "large works and large ideas;" it is partnered with "Artists in Residence: Anderson Ranch," in which Foothills teams with the arts program in Snowmass Village to present work by resident artists there.

The center celebrates its birthday Aug. 17 with a 40th Anniversary Sidewalk Art Sale, in conjunction with the Golden Fine Arts Festival.

* Where: 809 15th St. in Golden

* Information: 303-279-3922; foothillsartcenter.org

Colorado History Museum

The museum continues its community-based exhibitions into the summer: "The Italians of Denver" runs through July 6 and "Contested Lands: Photographs Around the Picket Wire" through June.

Also on view are the installations "Tribal Paths: Colorado's American Indians, 1500 to Today" and the earlier "Ancient Voices: Stories of Colorado's Distant Past." As an entree to the DNC, from noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 1, the museum will host "Shall the People Rule?", a look at the 1908 Democratic Convention in Denver.

* At Colorado Historical Society locations throughout the state, activities include events marking the 150th anniversary of Fort Garland June 20 through 22, with the opening of "Saving the Fort" at the Fort Garland Museum, as well as Georgetown's fourth annual Railroad and Mining Days celebration May 24 and 25. That's the opening of the Georgetown Loop Railroad, too.

* Where: The Colorado History Museum is at 1300 Broadway.

* Information: 303-866-3682; coloradohistory.org

Exhibitions elsewhere

Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center

The center has settled happily into its newly expanded building and in that facility offers the diverse shows "Life as a Legend: Marilyn Monroe" through July 6 and "Picasso Etchings" July 19 through Sept. 14.

The FAC Modern facility, meanwhile, opens "Styling the Modern," through Oct. 4 (121 S. Tejon St., Suite 100).

* Where: 30 W. Dale St.

* Information for both: 719-634-5583; csfineartscenter.org

Aspen Art Museum

The museum presents two duos this summer. Work by New York-based artist "AÃ¯da Ruilova: The Singles 1999-Now" is on view May 29 through Aug. 7 in the lower gallery, with German artist "Friedrich Kunath: Rising vs. Setting" May 22 through Aug. 3 in the upper gallery. And British artist Phil Collins exhibits Aug. 15 through Oct. 26 in the lower gallery, with the musically based "Unknown Pleasures" Aug. 9 through Oct. 19 upstairs.

* Where: 590 N. Mill St.

* Information: 1-970-925-8050; aspenartmuseum.org

Sangre de Cristo Arts Center

The center goes Hollywood this summer with "Glitz & Glamour: Art Meets Celebrity," with the shows "Fashion in Film," "Film Colorado," work from the Jerry Gilbreath Celebrity Art Collection and the Peggy Caffey Collection, photography by C Brown and "Art Meets Celebrity."

The multipart presentation continues through Aug. 30. Though some components are already open, the overall public reception is from 5 to 7 p.m. June 13.

Next door at the Buell Children's Museum, the show and programming of "Seeing Stars" also explores Hollywood.

* Where: 210 N. Santa Fe Ave. in Pueblo.

* Information: 719-295-7200; sdc-arts.org

Metro-area festivals

Downtown Denver Arts Festival

The festival season begins here, with more than 135 artists from Colorado exhibiting Memorial Day weekend at the Denver Pavilions.

It's the 10th year for the festival - under various names - and the second under the management of director (and photographer) Jim DeLutes.

* When: Hours of the juried show are 4 to 8 p.m. May 23, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 24, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 25, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 26. Admission is free.

* Where: Denver Pavilions, on the 16th Street Mall at Glenarm Place

* Information: 303-330-8237; DowntownDenverArtsFestival.com

La Piazza Dell'Arte

This festival is all about the ephemeral, since chalk-painting on the street is at the heart of this six-year-old event.

* When: Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 7 and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 8. Food and drink are evident at the event, which is produced by the Larimer Arts Association. The wine dinner is June 8.

* Where: Larimer Square

* Information: 303-685-8120; larimerarts.org

Summer Art Market

The Art Students League market has built a loyal fan base, and returns this year with more than 270 artists in 170 booths.

* When: The 2008 market is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 14 and 15. Admission is free.

* Where: The market also has sprawled from the league building at 200 Grant St. to Grant between East Second and Third avenues, and from Logan to Sherman streets along East Second Avenue.

* Information: 303-778-6990; asld.org

Cherry Creek Arts Festival

This festival was created in the early 1990s to give area residents something to do in town rather than hit the road for the Fourth of July holiday.

This year, the festival actually begins on the 4th, continuing over three days in the Cherry Creek North business district.

In its 18th year, the festival's focus remains on the visual arts, this year with 231 juried artists and eight in the emerging artist category. In all, 13 are from Colorado.

Festival Nights entertainment returns July 4 and 5 on Fillmore Plaza, with fireworks on the 5th. Food is a big part of the festival, too, as are live music, demonstrations and family arts activities.

* When: Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 4 and 5, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 6; the accessibility hour is from 9 to 10 a.m. July 6.

* Where: From East Second to East Third avenues between Clayton and Steele streets

* Information: 303-355-2787; cherryarts.org

Golden Fine Arts Festival

The 18th annual event sets up shop Aug. 16 and 17 in Golden's historic district.

Art is at the core of this event, but food and entertainment are part of the mix, as are carriage rides through downtown.

* When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days

* Information: 303-279-3113; goldenfineartsfestival.org

"Dialog:City"

The dates are still being determined, but this digital media festival funded by the Denver 2008 Democratic National Convention Host Committee (and others) will bring numerous artists from around the world to varied locales.

Artists participating include Krzysztof Wodiczko (light projection), DJ Spooky (sound and video "Terra Nova: The Antarctic Suite"), Seoul-based architect Minsuk Cho and his firm, Mass Studios (a temporary pavilion in City Park); Luke DuBois (the text-based light boxes of Hindsight is 2 0/20), and Ann Hamilton (a digital/choral work).

The advocacy group the Invisible Museum wants Hungarian artist Peter Kozma to film locations here to later project them at Union Station before, during and after the convention.

Kozma visited Denver in April to scout locations. He uses a Pani Slide projection system to then beam complex images of buildings and natural forms onto other buildings, streets and plazas.

As with "Dialog:City," details are still being ironed out.

Festivals elsewhere

Santa Fe

SITE SANTA FE

* SITE Santa Fe's biennial for 2008, "Lucky Number Seven," opens earlier than usual, with curator Lance Fung bringing together artists from around the world to create work totally on-site. Fung has worked with numerous art partners to select participants for the institution's seventh biennial.

* When: "Lucky" opens June 22 and continues through Oct. 26.

* Where: The SITE building, 1606 Paseo de Peralta, in Santa Fe

* Information: 1-505-989-1199; sitesantafe.org

PROJECT

* New to Santa Fe is PROJECT, a concept art fair organized to coincide with the opening of the SITE Santa Fe biennial. PROJECT, affiliated with the Claire Oliver Gallery of New York, will feature installations, gallery offerings and programming.

* When: June 19 through 22

* Information: 1-212-255-4698; projectfairs.com

ART SANTA FE

* ART Santa Fe sticks to its mid-July time frame, as the fair continues its plan to be an annual event.

* When: July 10 through 13

* Where: El Museo de Cultural, across the street from SITE Santa Fe

* Information: Information: 1-505-988-8883; artsantafe.com

Summit County

The Mountain Art Festivals group is sponsoring four art festivals this year. All events are free and offer work in numerous mediums.

* The 25th annual Breckenridge July Art Festival, July 4 through 6 in the Main Street Station and The Village at Breckenridge.

* The Dillon Art Festival, July 18 through 20 in downtown Dillon near Lake Dillon.

* The seventh annual Breckenridge Main Street Festival, July 25 through 27 on North Main Street at Wellington.

* The 33rd annual Gathering at the Great Divide Art Festival Aug. 30 through Sept. 1, also on North Main Street at Wellington in Breckenridge.

* When: Hours for all are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except at the last event, which is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 1.

* Information: 970-547-9326, or mountainartfestivals.com

Colorado Springs

The fourth annual Pikes Peak Arts Fest will feature visual and performing arts at the Pikes Peak Center. That also means entertainment, food and activities for children.

* When: June 13 through 15. Hours are 4 to 7:30 p.m. June 13, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 14 and 15. Activities are free.

* Where: 190 S. Cascade Ave

* Information: 719-290-1981; PikesPeakArtsCouncil.org

Salida

The 16th annual Salida Artwalk turns this art-friendly town into an art-lovers' magnet.

* When: June 27 through 29. Gallery previews are 5 to 9 p.m. June 27; viewings and performance art are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 28, with receptions from 5 to 9 p.m. so visitors can meet the artists behind the shows. The town's numerous galleries remain open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 29.

* Information: 877-772-5432; salidaartwalk.org

La Veta

The Spanish Peaks Arts Festival keys to a holiday weekend for its annual Art in the Park Festival. Arts and crafts booths, music and food are the draw, plus a rodeo parade and barbecue July 5.

* When: July 5 and 6. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 5 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 6.

* Where: La Veta Town Park

* Information: 719-742-3074; spanishpeaksarts.org/art_in_park.htm

Winter Park

The Alpine ArtAffair brings the visual arts to the Fraser Valley. The 35th annual event is held in a wooded area of downtown Winter Park, with the visual arts as the focus of an event that also features food and other activities.

* When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 16 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 27

* Information: 800-903-7275; alpineartaffair.com

Crested Butte

Crested Butte has plenty of other attributes to attract visitors, but on Aug. 2 and 3, visual arts rank as No. 1.

The Crested Butte Festival of the Arts promises work by 175 artists from around the United States.

The event is sponsored by the Crested Butte Society for the Arts, and includes food, entertainment and activities for kids.

* When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 2 and 3

* Where: Elk Avenue

* Information: 800-215-2226 or crestedbutteartfestival.com

Manitou Springs

The festival season comes to a close with the 2008 Labor Day Arts and Crafts Festival sponsored by the arts co-op Commonwheel. Along with the artists' booths, food and entertainment are on hand.

* When: Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 30 through Sept. 1

* Where: Memorial Park

* Information: 719-685-1008; commonwheel.com

Mary Voelz Chandler is the art and architecture critic. Chandlerm@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2677

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