It's Denver Artwalk Season

As the warm spring weather approaches the Mile High City, gallery owners and retailers will throw open their doors for the First Friday artwalks.  Hosted in some of the most eclectic neighborhoods in Denver, such as the Highlands, Baker, and Platt Park, the artwalks make an evening out of a simple stroll.

The highly anticipated artwalks expose many of Denver‘s “regular joe’s” to the artists and small business owners that keep the city vibrant. Meant to be a fun experience, the art walks are anything but stuffy.  Leave your quiet “museum voice” behind and take in some of what your neighbors have to offer.

The oldest artwalk is the Tennyson Street Artwalk which is on the first Friday of each month.  The twelve-year-old route is along Highland‘s North Tennyson Street between 38th and 44th Avenues from 6-10 pm.  Enjoy a variety of galleries, boutiques, restaurants and coffee shops as you stroll among the historic Highlands homes.

The most eclectic Denver artwalk is located in the Santa Fe Arts District in the Baker neighborhood.  The art district is concentrated on Santa Fe Drive between 6th and 13 Avenue.  There is a free shuttle that will pick up participants at the RTD light rail station at 10th and Osage and ferry them to each gallery between 5:30 and 9:30 pm.  The artwalk is host to over 60 galleries, art studios and restaurants.

Another popular artwalk is located in the Platt Park neighborhood on Old South Pearl Street.  A slice of Americana, the small downtown is a nostalgic collection of galleries, creative retail and bistros.  The Platt Park locals invite you in and often times offer a glass of chardonnay for your efforts.

Since the early 1990′s, Denver has seen a boom in the art community, due in part to the interest shown by the local government to bring something refreshing to the city.  In 2007, the Denver Art Museum completed its renovations, designed by famed architect Daniel Libeskind, drawing even more artistic merit within city limits.  Once a cow town with little cultural benefits, Denver is now an art destination to a wide variety of art aficionados.