When art gallery space is tight, what do you do? For the Downtown Denver Partnership and the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District (BID), the answer was simple: use Downtown Denver’s most underutilized public spaces — alleys. The result is “Between Us: The Downtown Denver Alleyways Project.”
A launch party for the project is set for Friday, June 15 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The FREE event will begin in the alley between Larimer & Market/14th & 15th streets. Then, participants will tour the five alleys, with artist talks and giveaways at each, led by the Montbello Drumline and ending with a reception at the Skyline Beer Garden at 6 p.m.
Five artists – Carlos Frésquez, Kelly Monico, Stuart Semple, Joel Swanson and Frankie Toan – will transform Downtown Denver alleyways into site-specific, sculptural art installations. With a goal of surprising, delighting and inspiring those who experience the alleyways.
The following is the list of installations, artists and alleyway locations.
“Alley Freshener”
Carlos Frésquez
Between Stout & California Streets (southwest side)
“Alley Cats”
Kelly Monico
Between 14th and 15th Streets, Larimer and Market Streets
“I should be crying but I can’t let it show”
Stuart Semple
Between Champa & Stout Streets (northeast side)
“Y/OURS”
Joel Swanson
Between Curtis & Champa Streets (southwest side)
“Public Bodies”
Frankie Toan
Between Stout & California Streets (northeast side)