AROUND DENVER

Murals Around Town

BY NATALIE HUSTEAD

The River North Arts District has installations on almost every corner. The first week of October saw “Denver Walls” return for the second year to RiNo as part of the global ‘World Wide Walls” nonprofit program. This international organization works to bring internationally recognized artists and local creatives together to bridge gaps between them and their communities through educational opportunities, community projects and local curations.

Embracing the industrial aesthetic of the historical Globeville, Elyria-Swansea, Five Points and Cole neighborhoods, the old factories and warehouses offer an abundance of canvases of all sizes and while not all installations are officially sanctioned, there is no shortage of captivating and inspiring beauty.

POwer & Equality, 2018 by shepard fairey

Staring defiantly into the sun from the walls of Denver Central Market is Shephard Fairey’s piece created for the Crush Art Festival in 2018. Meant to inspire hope while “pushing back on the forces of division and racism” that work to break down the most vulnerable communities.

Untitled, 2021 by Kaitlin Ziesmer

On the south side of the Bob Ragland branch of the Denver Public Library lies a vivid and whimsical piece of art that captures the very energy of the RiNo Art Park. Diverse, colorful and easy-going, the characters mingle and relax in the sun.

Larimer Boy & Girl, 2015 by Jeremy Burns

One of the earlier “illusion” pieces in RiNo is the iconic two-sided mural on the west wall of the Aspen Linen Company. Approaching from the south, one sees a cotton-candy colored girl with wide-eyed hope in her eyes. From the other direction, a cool-colored boy looks out with joyful disbelief. Both subjects evoke childlike wonder while gazing at the western sky.