First Fridays in Denver’s Art Districts
First Friday public events are a relatively new concept, but it is one that has taken off with great success in cities all over America. The idea is to host a regular event on the first Friday of every month during a given period of time, like summer or fall. These events are not something that only one establishment takes part in, but they are opened to all businesses, usually within the same district. One of the more popular concepts behind First Fridays is its connection to art galleries. Unlike museums where you just admire the work and develop an opinion, First Friday Art Walks give you an opportunity to find out other peoples’ thoughts, meet artists and storeowners, and tour several galleries at once. Here are the top First Friday Art Walks you can catch in the Denver area.
Image via: https://www.denver.org/things-to-do/denver-arts-culture/denver-art-districts/Old South Pearl Street in Denver is one of my favorite places to visit and now that eight galleries participate in their First Friday event, it is the perfect place for dates, family outings, or some quiet artist reflection. Located in one of Denver’s older communities, you can enjoy beautiful scenery, talented artists, great food and live entertainment!
The Santa Fe Art District is one of the largest First Friday Art Walks in the Denver area. This particular event goes from about 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm and features more than 60 galleries! If walking from one gallery to the next in hopes to cover all 60 sounds too ambitious, just sit back and relax while their FREE guided shuttle takes you from one hotspot to the next. In addition to their First Friday events, the Santa Fe Art District also offers a Collector’s Preview Event on the third Friday of every month which focuses on firsthand interactions with the artists themselves.
The Golden Triangle museum district is located off Speer between Colfax and 7th, and features several famous Denver Art Museums and galleries, as well as tons of boutique shops, eateries, government buildings and spectacular architecture. With over 50 participating businesses, the Golden Triangle First Friday Art Walk is never dull and great fun for people of all ages. Not only can you experience Denver’s Famous Art Museum, but you can also tour local gems like the Molly Brown House. They also offer a free art bus that takes your from one location to the next, all while learning about Colorado’s unique art history.
The River North Art District is known for its creative business demographic which draws more interest from people other than art lovers. This place is truly one of the best spots to get to know Colorado’s hip and modern artistic scene. From art galleries and the city’s best architecture, to hand-crafted furniture and jewelry makers, the RiNo District is sure to impress and entertain.
First Friday Art Walks are great for patrons because they offer many opportunities, all within walking distance of each other. Likewise, they are good for the local economy because the encourage commerce. Even if you don’t love art, art walks are the perfect place for people to experience their community’s history through displays of artist works. The best part is that they are FREE and come with the option to buy. So the next time you are looking for something fun to do in Denver on the First Friday of the month, head over to one of these great events!