Run Away With Dine D’art

Get ready for the 2nd Annual ArtReach Dine & D’art, Feb. 20, at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Join ArtReach and Mary Caulkins, Honorary Chairperson, in honoring Adam Lerner, Director and Chief Animator MCA Denver, for his work in the community. Prepare yourself for the fastest artwork on two feet as participants dart for their chosen art all to celebrate ArtReach’s mission of “changing lives through the arts.”

The 2nd annual event promises to be an amazing celebration with new and returning donating artists for 2010. Donated paintings, furniture, photography, jewelry, sculpture and pottery will be on display to tempt and tease attendees.

Fine dining and music will set the stage as participants dressed in ball gowns, tuxedos and tennis shoes are poised and ready to claim their favorite work of art. A drawing will determine the order participants will d’art for their art of choice, valued at a minimum of $400.

Each year ArtReach Dine & D’art selects an individual to honor for their hard work and commitment to the community. Highlighting the 2010 event, ArtReach and Mary Caulkins, Honorary Chairperson, will honor Adam Lerner, Director and Chief Animator MCA Denver, for his support and hard work in the arts community.

“We’re excited to be able to honor Adam Lerner for his work and commitment to the Denver art community. It’s important to recognize individuals that are unselfishly instrumental in making a difference. Because of Adam Lerner, ArtReach can continue to serve the community with programs that change lives through the arts,” said an ArtReach representative.”

Profits from ArtReach Dine & D’art will allow ArtReach to continue its ongoing goal of providing access to cultural arts experiences and enrichment for at-risk and underserved populations. ArtReach serves more than 60,000 low-income individuals annually.

“By providing access to local arts and educational organizations,” said Karla Johnson-Grimes, Executive Director, “ArtReach provides outreach on behalf of 100 local cultural, historic, and scientific organizations and helps increase appreciation of and the participation in the cultural arts for individuals in the Denver metropolitan communities.”

Tickets to the event are $400 per couple and include an evening of dining, dancing and darting to the gallery filled with original artwork valued at $400 or more. As names are called, participants dash to claim their desired artwork. Each couple takes home a work of art valued at or above the $400.

For those who just want to eat, drink and not “dart for art,” Spectator tickets can be purchased for $125 a person.

Established in 1974, ArtReach provides access to experience arts and culture for people of all ages who struggle with physical, mental and behavioral or severe economic challenges. ArtReach reaches disadvantaged people through maintaining over 350 innovative, long-term partnerships between diverse art (local art agencies and businesses) and community agencies such social service agencies and public housing.

For more information, visit www.artreachdenver.org or call 303-433-2882 x226.

Santa Fe Arts District Set For New Year

Experience the work of international, national and local artists in Denver’s only multi-block art district, where viewers can easily walk to all the galleries. Within a six-block section of Santa Fe Dr., from 5th Ave. to 10th Ave., you can enjoy over 30 galleries and artist studios joining the First Friday Art Walk (6-9 pm) every first Friday of the month, all year round.

The First Friday History Tour (5:30 pm) is designed to highlight the history of one of Denver’s oldest neighborhoods, and link these simple beginnings with the dynamic avenue of today. Start your walk at 7th and Santa Fe (at the Byers Branch Library) and amble north with an expert guide on this one-hour tour, then enjoy the sights and sounds of the First Friday Art Walk.

Learn about three different eras in the timeline of Santa Fe: 1887, 1927 and today. There’s more than just paints and pastels to Santa Fe Drive; learn about the stories beneath the stucco. The First Friday History Tour season begins in March. Tours are led by Denver History Tours. For more information call 720-234-7929 or visit www.denverhistorytours.com.

Third Friday Collectors Night is a multi-gallery art opening in over 14 galleries in the Artdistrict every Third Friday of the month.

Streams of Modernism Extended at Kirkland

Kirkland Museum is happy to announce that our Streams of Modernism exhibition has been extended and will now be on view through Sunday, Jan. 24. Streams of Modernism is available for previewing on YouTube.

Recently opened: Vance Kirkland: The Mysteries of Space; through Mar. 7, at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (www.csfineartscenter.org). Visit the Kirkland Museum exhibitions page online for more information. Due to the fragile nature of our collection, children under age 13 are not admitted.

Kirkland Museum is located at 1311 Pearl St. Parking is available on the SW corner of 13th and Pearl, across from the museum. Happy Holidays.

For more information, contact the museum. Open Tues.–Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tours at 1:30 p.m., Wed.–Sat.

910 Artists Inspire Others to Create

The working artists that bring the studios of the 910 Arts building alive, are now offering an ongoing series of classes in a variety of creative disciplines. All classes will take place in various studios in the 910 Arts community at 910 Santa Fe Dr.

This group of resident artists, many of whom have years of experience teaching art, are excited for the opportunity to provide hands on workshops that allow anybody to learn, participate and become inspired.

Below is the class schedule for January. A new schedule will be announced each month. To register for classes please contact the instructors directly per the contact information listed below.

Hula and Tahitian Combo: This class is geared towards beginners who would like to learn the basic movements of both Hula and Tahitian dancing. Beyond the basic steps you will also learn choreography and have the chance to perform. Sat., Jan. 16, 23, 30, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Tue., Jan 19, 26, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. $10 drop in class or $35 month (4 classes) plus $25 registration fee that includes a CD of the class music. With Maile Inagaki (720-974-4090 or maile@spreadingaloha.com).

Introductory Mosaic Art for Indoor and Outdoor: In this 3 week course (9 hours), students will learn to design, choose materials, use tools, and create their own beautiful mosaic. Wed., Jan. 13, 20, 27, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sat., Jan. 16 , 23, 30, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. $150. With Abbas or Roya Khajeaian, Studio 4 (contact@kashikari.com or 303-825-9000).

Paper Mache: Explore sculpture in a fun and non threatening medium. This class will introduce you to the art of Paper Mache. Each person will create their own armature and finished sculpture. Paper Mache is made mostly of recycled material so all you will need to bring with you is some ideas, old wire hangers, newspaper and trinkets or stuff from your junk drawer. Ability: all levels, adults 18 and up.

Wed., Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. $120.00 (includes materials). With Niza Knoll, Studio 13 (nizak@mac.com or 303-902-4313).

Angels, Clay and Poetry: Come for a day of experiential creation and fun as we explore our inner selves and emerge with colorful 3-D representations of those selves. We will use poetry, writing and clay to play and shape these unique and fascinating creations. No artistic experience necessary. Minimum 4 people, maximum 13. Sat., Jan. 23, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. $110 (includes all materials). With Michelle Soulé, Studio 202 (michsoule@aol.com or 303-623-3703).

Cultivating Creativity Workshops: Exploration Through Collage: It is my belief that all of us are talented enough and creative enough, but not everyone has been focused enough, brave enough or encouraged enough to pursue their inner call to create.

These workshops were designed for those that feel a longing to create but don’t know how or where to begin. Using the tools of meditation, movement and focused intention participants will be encouraged to have fun as well as to take risks. Class size limited/pre-registration required. Participants will also create collages representing their creative longings and/or goals as well as their creative blocks and/or demons.

Sat., Jan. 23, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. $40 (Take both classes $110). With Marsue Renee Todd, Studio 302 (marsuerenee@yahoo.com or 303-623-0202).

The 910 Artists are the group of artists that work within the 910 Arts building. Not to be confused with the event gallery at 910, which hosts shows and events, these are the group of professional artist that make the building come alive on a daily basis. This wide range of artists creative everything from photography, painting and sculpture to mosaics, mixed media and dance to artful coffee drinks with portraits created in latte foam.

For more information, visit www.910artists.com.