“There’s a need for two things in Denver—community spaces and a growing literary scene,” says Dylah Ray, owner of Petals & Pages in the Santa Fe Arts District. Ray is tending to these needs with beauty and inclusion. A clean open room dotted with pinks and florals—freshly cut and hand-painted, Ray’s bookshop itself is a work of art: an intentional first step in community building. “We deserve a beautiful space,” she says. “We want a place where valuable, joyful community work is done together—and the space should reflect that.” The aesthetics are built into the name, and Petals & Pages ..read more

The Mile High City isn’t just renowned for its stunning mountain views and outdoor adventures. It’s also a thriving hub for artistic expression. Denver’s open mic scene is starting to flourish into its peak, providing a spotlight almost every night of the week for musicians, poets, and stand-up comics to showcase their creative side in front of a new audience. But an open mic is more than just a stage. The local open mic scene has progressed into a vital space where people intrigued by performance can come together to cultivate a network of other artists to collaborate their visions with and f ..read more

As he settles into his new City Park studio, Cutter Paul surrounds himself with tools of his trademark hats. A household brand in the custom hat-making business, Cutter Paul speaks to the almost-lost art of craftsmanship and living one’s life as art.  In Cutter’s Denver workspace, a row of wooden hat blocks pose as perfectly dome-shaped noggins; once a chapeau is initially blocked, Cutter will shape it by hand after the precise shape of a client’s head. There’s a Singer sewing machine for crafting each sweatband, and then Cutter’s hand stitches the band into the finished product. One sid ..read more

In 2022, Biome: A Queen City Biennial was launched, with a mission to “celebrate fine art through community, inclusivity and biennial exhibition.” A Biennial refers to an exhibition held every two years, and as Biome was founded in 2022, the first cohort of seven artists is set to “graduate” this month.  In celebration of the inaugural exhibition, Biome is hosting The Biome Ball on January 12, 2024, to be held at Grasslands HQ in Denver’s Baker neighborhood.  At Grasslands HQ, guests are greeted by a 26-foot mural by Denver-based artist, Carlos Fresquez. Titled, Un Abrazo, or “a ..read more

The 15-29-year-olds in Denver make up the second largest age group in the city. But thriving in a metropolis as a young person isn’t always easy. As somebody who grew up in a small ski town, I’ve found that city living is about seeking out opportunities and being intentional about actions. So, how do you navigate Denver in your 20s? “Go to as many events as you can in the fields that interest you! Go go go!” says Christine Stadnik-Poteroba, a 21-year-old Denver artist and small business owner. “There are running clubs, even ones at breweries, art nights, slam poetry, drag shows, comedy and mor ..read more

The holiday shopping season is here, and the Mile High City is beaming with a whole host of festive holiday markets throughout town. Whether you’re looking to shop for unique and locally handmade goods for those on your list or just want to enjoy a little holiday cheer, these holiday markets in Denver are sure to get you in the spirit of the season. Denver Christkindlmarket Photo courtesy of the Denver Christkindlmarket via Facebook When: Nov. 17-Dec. 23 Where: Civic Center Park The Lowdown: Voted a Top Three “Best Holiday Market” in the country by USA Today in 2022, the Denver Chr ..read more

Artist and designer Michael Thomas – who goes by his initials MCT – began experimenting with mixed media art about a year and a half ago. His inspiration blossomed out of a want to create and communicate the human experience, unveiling universal truths about the human condition. Get your Denver Fashion Week streetwear tickets here “I believe in and feel that we’re on a spiritual journey and that the point of our existence is to unify with others to not separate ourselves,” MCT described. Many of his pieces illustrate the shared human experience of overcoming addiction and finding recovery, cre ..read more

As the Mile High City’s art scene continues to expand and flourish we want to make sure you’re in the know about a few of the lesser-known art galleries in Denver. So, we’re highlighting four galleries you might not know about, but should definitely check out! Each of these spaces has taken an innovative approach to the term “exhibition space” that sets them apart from their peers, and with exciting new shows opening this month, you don’t want to miss out.  Bell Projects Photo courtesy of Bell Projects Where: 2822 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80206 The Lowdown: Bell Projects has found a new ..read more

The 17th annual Denver Arts Week begins today and will run through November 11, when several businesses and venues get together to highlight the cultural diversity the city has to offer. Last year’s festivities included over 450 events across the city and this year looks to be similar in scope, starting with an expanded First Friday Art Walk across the city’s creative neighborhoods and the next day featuring Free Night at the Museums on Saturday, November 4, when many of Denver’s top cultural institutions will be free of charge with extended hours. “Denver Arts Week is about making the arts ac ..read more

Denver Walls, a part of the globally recognized WORLD WIDE WALLS, is happening now in the RiNo Arts District. Originally started by Jasper Wong in 2010, the international event seeks to beautify cities across the world by building connections between local artists and their communities. The festival has come to cities like Honolulu, Seoul, Tokyo and more — making Denver the 25th city to host a WORLD WIDE WALLS festival. Discover the artists showcasing their work, where to find them and more about this inaugural Denver event. “At its core, WORLD WIDE WALLS is about bringing together artists fr ..read more