Off Beat Arts in Denver
Denver’s world-class art museums are must-sees for anyone visiting the city. But you’re just scratching the surface of the thriving Mile High arts scene if you stop there. The Lab At Belmar in Lakewood and the River North Art District (RiNo) are two great ways to explore Denver’s delightfully off beat creative community, while the Denver Art Museum’s Untitled series takes a whimsical approach to art appreciation. Get ready to be surprised.
The Lab At Belmar
They’re serious about art – but they don’t take themselves seriously. The Lab At Belmar opened in September of 2006, and it’s safe to say that Denver has never been home to a venue quite like it. Describing it is hard – even for the minds behind the Lab: the best word they could come up with for it was “groovalicious.” The Lab is part art museum, offering exhibitions by both local and national contemporary artists. But it’s also part public forum with a full schedule of weekly lectures and creative, adult education programs. Recent happenings include “Mixed Taste,” a lecture series on the history and science of food, from the culinary to the political, followed by dinner; and “Feminism & Co.,” an exploration of women & work that kicked off in March with a burlesque performance. Eclecticism is the name of the game. The Lab has hosted badminton tournaments, hard-hitting political talks, barbershop quartets and countless other unforgettable events. One thing you can be sure of when you head to the Lab – perhaps the only thing you can be sure of – is that these topics will be handled with a welcome dose of irreverence and fun. If you’re looking for an out of the ordinary arts experience, the Lab At Belmar awaits just five miles from downtown Denver.
More Info: http://www.belmarlab.org/
RiNo (River North Art District)
Meanwhile, just north of downtown, you’ll find the newly christened River North Art District, which goes by the catchy nickname RiNo – the district has even adopted a Rhino design for its official insignia. RiNo is rapidly becoming the hotspot for artsy types in Denver, with a remarkable array of creative businesses, including architects, art galleries, designers, furniture makers, illustrators, painters, media artists, photographers, sculptors, and a wealth of studio spaces. While retaining its industrial character, the neighborhood has become fertile ground for established and emerging arts and artists. RiNo opens its doors on the first Friday of each month – check here to see what locations are participating. It’s a perfect way to check out this unique and fascinating neighborhood on the verge.
More Info: http://www.rivernorthart.com/
Untitled at DAM
The irreverent and imaginative spirit of these two Denver locales makes its way into the hallowed halls of the Denver Art Museum each month, with DAM’s groundbreaking Untitled series of events, held every final Friday of the month. Each month’s Untitled event has a unique theme that connects back to DAM’s collection in ways that are thoughtful, whimsical and illuminating. They’ve hosted rock bands, performance artists, symphony orchestras and more, turning the expected art museum experience upside down. Check out an interview with the brains behind Untitled here.
More Info: untitled.denverartmuseum.org