‘Tis the year of museum renovations and Denver has been blessed with not 1, but 2 renovations of some of their most interesting museums. The Denver Art Museum underwent a hefty 4 year, $150 million refurbishment of their North Building, renamed the Martin Building, and envisioned to support a broader and richer community reflective of the city. Denver’s Museum of Outdoor Arts, founded in 1981, revealed their changes which focus on outdoor spaces by ceasing its indoor exhibits and moving part of its exhibits to Downtown Engelwood and the rest to the beautiful Marjorie Park. With all these changes, what can we expect from 2022 in terms of Denver’s contemporary art scene?
To understand more fully, let’s take a look back at the last couple of years. The pandemic was in full swing in 2020 ensuring that many museums around the world closed. DAM closed its door on March 13th, 2020 and officially opened their doors on June 26th, with safety measures strictly in place to avoid the fate of museums that had to close 2, even 3 times.
The Museum of Outdoor Art is within good company this year, as the world’s renewed interested in outdoor and public art is at its peak this Spring. While community members expressed sadness over MOA’s indoor exhibits’ departure in Engelwood, they’ve submitted a proposal to the city to keep their sculptures and statues in Downtown Engelwood.
What else can you expect at MOA’s new venue? They’re bringing live music to the park in a Summer Concert Series amidst their statues of beloved Alice in Wonderland characters, wind chime sculptures, and wonderful stone Lions.
From the DAM, there are plenty of new exhibits to enjoy this Spring and Summer. An exhibit of abstract photography from the past 100 years has been added to the 2,800 square foot sixth floor of the Martin Building. Bank of America has allowed DAM to borrow their traveling exhibit featuring more than 100 images by women artists.
The Mud Woman has rolled in to Denver galleries and an exhibit dedicated to the stories behind objects is on view now, featuring the stories behind a colorful Prickly Pear chair and other architectural-meets-design-feats in history.
Become an art aficionado this year and enjoy the city’s return to art.