Public art in Southeast Denver has increased thanks to Denver Arts & Venues, the arts & culture work group and community volunteers. Our Arts & Culture Working Group helps identify public art opportunities in the district, manages the South by Southeast (SxSE) community art project, and promotes art & culture in Council District 4. To join the working group or to provide art project ideas, contact kathy.gile@denvergov.org.
The Urban Arts Fund is a graffiti prevention and youth development program funded through Denver Arts & Venues which facilitates the creation of new murals in perpetually vandalized areas throughout the City and County of Denver. The Urban Arts Fund provides access to positive, creative experiences for youth and transforms dilapidated areas into well-tended and active community gathering spaces.
High Line Canal MuralsFather and son muralists, Jerry and Jay Jaramillo, received two Urban Arts Fund awards in 2017 and 2018 to paint murals on the east and west side of the High Line Canal and I-25 tunnel. The murals represent the natural life on and around the High Line Canal.
Bible Park Mural at the Goldsmith Gulch TunnelArtist, Sofia Ramirez, transformed the southside of the underpass into a bright color-popping mural for the bikers, runners and walkers using the path. She has applied for another Urban Arts Fund grant in 2020 to paint a complimentary mural on the northside.
Joe Shoemaker School "Bird is the Word" MuralTeacher Annie Holyfield and her K/1 students painted a mural in the Cherry Creek Trail underpass at Havana to raise awareness of the birds that share their naturalized space near their school and the Cherry Creek Trail. See their inspiring proposal video.
Under Denver’s Cultural Plan, IMAGINE 2020, Mayor Michael B. Hancock challenges city council districts to infuse arts and culture into their district during Denver Arts Week in November. See below for some of the projects created in southeast Denver with IMAGINE 2020 funding.
50 State Animal Light BoxesLocal Artist, Andrew Woodward, has been wrapping light boxes in southeast Denver with colorful animals with graphic back grounds from his 50 State Animal paintings. View more pictures of the boxes and a map of their locations in southeast Denver.
FoxyMaster carver, Faye Braaten, known as Chainsaw Mama, carved a beautiful old Cottonwood stump at the south bridge in Bible Park into a whimsical fox and woodland scene.
PSYAH is a citywide creative placemaking and neighborhood revitalization program that cultivates collaborative, community-led outdoor projects in Denver’s public spaces. The Thomas Jefferson High School Art Bus Shelter project (bus shelter, tile mural and bench) was the recipient of the 2018 Mayor’s Design Awards.
Thomas Jefferson High School Art Bus ShelterAn art bus shelter was constructed at Hampden & Ivanhoe to display the art of Thomas Jefferson High School students and to provide shelter to people waiting for the bus. The Thomas Jefferson High School Parent Teacher Organization received funding for the project by applying for the PSYAH grant awarded by Denver Arts & Venues.
Art Bus Shelter Retaining Wall MuralAs part of the art bus shelter project, Thomas Hefferson High School students designed a mural for the retaining wall. Community members painted the tiles to create the mural at the 2017 South by Southeast festival.
BenchThomas Jefferson art students refurbished and painted the old bus stop bench. The bench represents the TJ Spartans school pride and the talent and creativity of the students. It now sits on the north side of Hampden facing the art bus shelter.
“Welcome to Denver” Mural (off-ramp from I-225 at Yosemite)Cherry Creek III Neighborhood President, Don Ireland, had a vision to brighten this off-ramp for drivers arriving to Denver. Don raised the funds, selected the artist and--with the help of his wife, Lynne--landscaped the area with native plants.
“First Rose” at Eisenhower ParkA freestanding bench and windscreen with four images each representing qualities of Mamie Eisenhower (first lady) who grew up in Denver after the age of seven: a lady’s fan, a landscape with water activity, a five-pointed star, and a heart of roses. Artist: Susan Cooper
Untitled (gold pieces) at Hampden Branch LibraryArtist Vincent O’Brien
“First Round” at Kennedy Golf CourseFigurative sculptural design for the tee markers at the Kennedy Golf Course. The sculpture bench is meant to be humorous and entertaining for people sitting on it or standing around it. Artist: Joe Sam
Untitled (Wooden Arch) at Ross University Hills LibraryArtist Wang Po Shu
Woodland Bench on the High Line Canal (near Holly and Eastman)Faye Braaten, known as Chainsaw Mama