Every year brings us new hope, new art and adventures both in cultural and artistic expressions. We thought we would take a moment to note some exhibitions that are coming to an end that you still have time to see as well as share new exhibitions or cultural experiences that are defining in one way or another.

Only a few weeks into 2018 and this year is gearing up out to be a robust artistic adventure. In no particular order is our list of eighteen exhibitions that are considered a “Must See”. Click on each title to be taken directly to event website for exhibition times, address and more information.

1. Denver Art Museum: Her Paris: Women Artists in the Age of Impressionism, a must see as this exhibition closes on Monday, January 15, be sure to purchase your tickets in advance for the Impressionism exhibition. BONUS: Colorado Artist Judy Gardner will be conducting a 3-D Studio Demo, Saturday, January 13 and Sunday, January 14 from 12pm-3pm at the Denver Art Museum.

   

2. Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale is part of the National Western Stock Show. This is an opportunity to experience an incredible level of fine art while also experiencing the Stock Show. The “Art Room” is located on the the 3rd level of the Expo Hall. This exhibition runs only as long as the Stock Show, January 6-21 with the same hours as the Stock Show. Visit www.coorswesternart.com to purchase tickets, for more information and art preview.
3. Abend Gallery: Fauna through January 27. A captivating exhibition, as stated in the press release: a survey of the depiction of animals and wildlife in representational painting; Through captivating portraits, fantastical settings, and incredible technique, this group of artists present a look into the world of animals both real and imagined. Exhibition includes Colorado Artist Shay Davis among many others.
4. Denver Museum of Nature & Science: Conquest of the Skies 3D. An exhilarating exploration of “how animal aviators have evolved into the 100 billion creatures flying through the air today.” “Explore nature’s ingenuity as you soar from a falcon’s point of view, see hummingbirds flutter in slow motion, accompany bats in the hunt, meet lizards that glide with the greatest of ease, and find out how clumsy beetles got their wings. Filmed on location in the United Kingdom, Borneo, Spain, Italy, and Ecuador.” This film closes on February 15.

   

5. Next Gallery Denver: Scaffolding Memory – Works by Karen Bennett & Altar Ego: Works by Kristyn Shafer. Opening Reception Friday, January 12, 5pm-10pm. Exhibition runs through January 28, 2018.
6. McNichols Civic Center Building: Luminous Mind Spa – Stretching the Body, Mind and Spirit featuring the light sculptures of Dorothy and the late Mel Tanner with music and video by Dorothy Tanner and Marc Billard. “Dorothy’s intention for this meditative environment is for everyone to experience new ways to stretch the body, expand the mind, and achieve greater spiritual awareness.” Opening has been postponed from January 13/14 to potentially Saturday, January 20, please check website for accurate updated information. Exhibition runs through May 18, 2018.
7. Sally Centigrade: Unpinned: The Modern Pin-Up, Opening Reception Thursday, January 18, 5pm-9:30pm. “Unpinned: The Modern Pin-Up features modern interpretations of classic Pin-Up art from over a dozen local and national artists.”
8. Colorado Ballet: Romeo & Juliet & The Directors Choice. Romeo & Juliet, February 16-25: This romantic ballet will take your breath away with extraordinary choreography by Derek Deane, exceptional acting and artistry by the dancers of Colorado Ballet, and a phenomenal musical score by Sergei Prokofiev, performed by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. Colorado Ballet closes the season with Ballet Director’s Choice, performances March 30-April 1, 2018.
9. Lapis Gallery: Divergent Paths in Pastels – Showcasing the work of Shelley Howard & Karen Spotts. This exhibition embraces how artists in the same medium not only approach their subject matter differently but also their techniques with color, texture. Exhibition ends January 30, 2018. Please note Lapis Gallery hosts First Friday Art Receptions.

   

10. Museum of Outdoor Arts (MOA): Intersecting Formations – Featuring twelve collaborations with Colorado painter Craig Marshall Smith. Opening Reception January 19th, 6pm-9pm. Smith collaborated with “contemporaries, friends, former students, and mentors. This exhibit is one of Smith’s final projects as he scales back his visual art career to focus on writing.” This exhibition runs through March 30, 2018. MOA is free and open to the public.
11. Walker Fine Art: Uncanny – An eye-catching, eclectic exhibition of artistic ingenuity. Opening Reception Friday, January 19, 5pm-9pm, exhibition runs through March 10, 2018. Featuring Carol Coates, Bryan Leister, Malcolm Easton, Roland Bernier, Mark Penner-Howell.

    

12. William Havu Gallery: Jim Waid: Cross Pollinations / Zachariah Rieke: Shape Shifter / Introducing: Yoshitomo Saito & Bob Smith. Opening Reception, Friday January 19th, 6pm-6pm, exhibition runs through March 3, 2018. An exhilarating exhibition of four very different artists. Cross Pollinations, new paintings by Arizona painter, Jim Waid and Shape Shifter, new paintings by New Mexico painter, Zachariah Rieke. William Havu Gallery is also proud to introduce bronze artist, Yoshitomo Saito and clay sculptor, Bob Smith.
13. Bitfactory Gallery: No Show (2nd Annual) Opening Reception January 19, 6pm-10pm and runs through March 8. “No Show will feature works from fourteen local artists. The exhibit will cover genres from natural realism to pop art and disciplines from painting to photography to graphic design and many more. No Show is an opportunity for both artists who have shown and artists that have not shown before to get their work on display for the public to view.”
14. Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA): Artist in Residency Cynthia Gutierrez – part of Saber Acomodar: Art & Workshops of Jalisco 1915-NOW. “Guadalajaran artist Cynthia Gutierrez will be in residency at MCA Denver for two weeks in January 2018.” January 17, 6-7:30pm – The Object: Present and Absent, Artist Workshop with Cynthia Gutierrez. January 18, 6pm-7:30pm, Cynthia Gutierrez Artist Talk about the Saber Acomodar exhibition, life in Guadalajara.

    

15. Michael Warren Contemporary: Eva Bovenzi – Timelines and Chalcedonies. Opening Reception with artist discussion, January 19, 6pm-8pm, exhibition runs through March 3, 2017. “In 2016, Eva Bovenzi was awarded the NEW fellowship at the Pt. Reyes National Seashore that brought artists and writers together for a residency on climate change. While there, Bovenzi began thinking about cycles of time: cosmic, geologic, biologic and human. As she collected stones on her hikes along the coast, she realized that they were literal time capsules.” Bovenzi conceptual approach through collage captures the timelines of the stones she found on her hikes.
16. Tansey Contemporary: Euphotic – Courtney M. Leonard, solo exhibition. Opening Reception January 26, 6pm-8pm, exhibition runs through March 2nd. “The artist’s current body of works which explore and document the fragility of our water environment, whale and material sustainability. The works of Euphotic are a reflection of the Euphotic Zone and it’s vital part in life and culture.”
17. SmithKlein Gallery: New works by Matt Flint – January feature artist. “My paintings are of animals, plants, and landscapes seen through a moment of shifting focus. I paint the way I explore the rugged mountains by my house, always pushing to see what is over the next hill, searching for the unexpected.” SmithKlein Gallery is located in the heart of downtown Boulder.

    

18. RiNo/Five Points Art District: “Side Stories” – Exterior Walls Come to Life with Short Films. For ten nights 6pm-10pm, February 21-March ten exterior building walls from Broadway to 36th Avenue and Blake to Larimer the Winter nights will come alive with the installation of large-format film installation. Ten different Colorado artists created short digital films for this project. This event is Free to the public. Special offers from bars, restaurants and shops in the area.

Bonus: Dikeou Pop-Up: Colfax – Supastore Human – We are the Product. An installation presented by London artist Sarah Staton. SupaStore Human is on view through February 2018 and items exhibited are available for purchase.

Bonus: Curtis Center for the Arts: Open Space: The Finite Frontier…. please read ArtBeat’s article on this exhibition, as this is also a Must See.

Art and Culture make up an important part of our lives and it is just as important to get out there, experience it and support the arts and culture that surrounds us in our communities. This is just a short list of some amazing and tantalizing exhibitions that are either coming to an end or just getting started, so don’t miss out.

Here’s to seeing you somewhere along the arts circuit!

Feature Image: “Vortex” – Artist Zachariah Rieke – William Havu Gallery – Golden Triangle