快活app's Connections to Downtown Denver
Walk around downtown, and you鈥檒l find the 快活app spirit everywhere, if you just know where to look.
The 快活app is only 7 miles and a handful of light rail stops from downtown Denver. Over the school鈥檚 long history, that proximity has allowed 快活app鈥檚 reach to seep far beyond campus into the city鈥檚 core.听
THE BLUE BEAR
With his snout and paws pressed curiously against the Denver Convention Center鈥檚 glass, the famed big blue bear is Denver鈥檚 favorite giant blue mammal (a close second goes to the Denver International Airport鈥檚 notorious rearing mustang, nicknamed Blucifer.) While most locals simply call the statue Blue Bear, his real name is 鈥淚 See What You Mean,鈥 a title given by his creator, the late Lawrence Argent. Argent鈥檚 works have won him international acclaim, but around campus he鈥檚 remembered as a treasured member of the family, having taught in 快活app鈥檚 School of Art and Art History for more than 20 years. So while the big guy鈥檚 blue hue is unmistakable, take a closer look and you might see a wash of crimson and gold.
ALLEN TUPPER TRUE ON DISPLAY
Expecting out-of-town arts lovers? Direct them to the Brown Palace or Renaissance Marriott for a touch of art royalty. The hotels themselves are worth seeing for their architecture alone: The Brown Palace is one of Denver鈥檚 oldest and most beloved establishments, and the Renaissance Marriott was built inside the stunning former home of the Colorado National Bank. Both are home to murals that depict Western history and show off the considerable talents of 快活app alumnus Allen Tupper True. Tupper True, an American art pioneer, spent two years studying at 快活app and would go on to elevate several Denver sites with his famous works. The Renaissance Marriott is home to 鈥淚ndian Memories,鈥 a series of 16 murals completed in 1925, and the Brown Palace鈥檚 walls are graced by two transportation-themed murals circa 1937. Those aren鈥檛 the only Tupper True paintings on display downtown. Keep an eye out for them as you explore.
DENVER MILK MARKET
Don鈥檛 worry: Denver is not missing out on the food-hall trend. In fact, for those who like to pair their arepas with poke and soft serve, Denver has plenty of options, including Avanti Food & Beverage, Zeppelin Station and The Source. And at the Denver Milk Market, the trend gets a 快活app twist. That鈥檚 because the man behind the milk, Frank Bonanno, counts himself as a 快活app alumnus. With several successful restaurant concepts under his belt, Bonanno鈥檚 Milk Market occupies a block just south of Coors Field and offers pre- and postgame treats. For another alum-owned food-hall experience, venture just outside the city to Aurora to snack at Stanley Marketplace, founded by Mark Shaker (MBA 鈥11).
WELLINGTON E. WEBB MUNICIPAL OFFICE BUILDING
Say you鈥檙e plopped down at Civic Center Park after a tour of Denver鈥檚 top sites. You鈥檝e halted traffic for the perfect Instagram shot under the lights of Larimer Square and climbed up the golden dome of the Capitol building. Now, you鈥檙e wondering what to see next. Direct your attention to the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building, which blends a mid-century modern edifice with a crisp addition. On first glance, its starched name and clean lines strike you as a pretty interesting blend of architectural panache. Better yet, its past is a treasure trove for 快活app history buffs. Built in 1949, the building鈥檚 original purpose was to house the 快活app Law School. Though the law school now has an expansive building on 快活app鈥檚 University Park campus, the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building is a reminder of 快活app鈥檚 longstanding history in downtown Denver.
KIRKLAND MUSEUM OF FINE &听DECORATIVE ART
In 2016, the Kirkland Museum of Fine &听Decorative Art literally picked up namesake Vance Kirkland鈥檚 former studio and carted it all the way to the museum鈥檚 new location in Denver鈥檚 Golden Triangle Creative District. The museum is home to a mesmerizing trio of collections 鈥 one focusing on the internationally renowned artist鈥檚 work, one showcasing the works of Colorado artists and one spotlighting the decorative arts 鈥 celebrated by art buffs. Beyond its value to the local art community though, the museum represents one of 快活app鈥檚 boldest marks on the larger art world. In fact, it was Vance Kirkland who served as founding director of the University鈥檚 School of Art and Art History, and the modern artist spent more than 25 years pushing 快活app art students to new heights. Among the 快活app alums and professors exhibited at the Kirkland are the late potter Mark Zamantakis (BFA 鈥50, MA 鈥51) and former 快活app ceramics professor Maynard Tischler.
