Community Announcements

Artist Jordan Casteel at DAC

Take advantage of free first Saturday at the Denver Art Museum downtown on Saturday, April 6, and check out Park Hill native Jordan Casteel’s first major museum exhibition. Jordan Casteel: Returning the Gaze features nearly 30 paintings by the Denver-born artist, who is now based in Harlem, New York. 

Casteel’s exhibition brings together a body of work made from 2014 to 2018, with new paintings that reveal Casteel’s evolving practice and a shift in subject matter ranging from cityscapes and subway scenes to women and local business owners. Casteel’s approach to selecting subjects involves walking around her neighborhood and taking photographs. By transforming these photographs into larger-than-life portraits with subtle shifts in light, bold colors, and gestural brushwork, Casteel reveals individuals and atmospheres that often go unnoticed. 

First Saturday allows Denver residents to enjoy the DACs art collections and non-ticketed exhibitions without spending a dime. Free general admission tickets are available on-site starting at 10 am. If you can’t make it on April 6, Casteel’s exhibition is up through Aug. 18.

All Hale The Parkway

On Wednesday, April 10, the City and County of Denver invites neighbors to view the recommended concept design for a future Hale Parkway, south of Park Hill near 10th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. Talk with project planners, engineers, designers, and neighbors about the plans, which have been underway for the past year and involve the Upper Montclair Stormwater Systems study, including improvements to manage flooding in the area. The community meeting is from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the Community Space @ 9th and Colorado Development, 1000 Colorado Blvd. on the 2nd floor.

All Hail The Book Driver

Book Driver, a service that helps people find good homes for books, is offering a free pickup of books and other items on April 11 and 12. All you have to do is leave the books on the front porch that morning. 

Book Driver was started in 2013 in Colorado offering a free book pickup for library patrons and expanded from there. More than 100,000 books are currently processed per year. Book Driver uses a peer-to-peer model to reduce overall carbon footprint and gives away over 80,000 books to 30 organizations. If you have a book or books to donate, contact Matt Johnson at bookdrivers@gmail.com

Helen Wolcott’s Spring Show 

As she has every fall and spring for nearly 45 years, Helen Wolcott will open her Park Hill home on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5, hosting a group of artists and artisans who show and sell their creations. Wolcott specializes in jewelry, both costume and silver. Also lined up for the show are Robin Wilton (weaving), Anne Heine (knitting), Anita Kienker (quilted creations), Cristina de Palma-Vega (fabric and paper art), Carmen Curtis Basham (pottery) and David Claypool (honey and beeswax products). Stop by 2309 Clermont St. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Everybody welcome. Bring a friend and greet spring with a glass of Sangria or a cup of tea.   

Goodstein Cracks The Book

Hot off the presses, Denver historian and author Phil Goodstein has just released his latest, The Denver School Book. The book traces the history of Denver’s schools – its first school opened on Oct. 3, 1859. Before long, there were numerous districts in the burgeoning metropolis, and were consolidated on Dec. 1, 1902, into School District #1 of the City and County of Denver. By this time, education advocates argued schoolhouses needed to be commanding temples of education, points of architectural pride showing the Mile High commitment to learning. Goodstein, a native of Park Hill and product of Park Hill Elementary, Smiley Junior High and East High School, will read from his new book on Friday, April 5 at the Mutiny bookstore and coffeehouse at 2 South Broadway, beginning at 6:30 pm. The event is free.  On Saturday, May 4, Goodstein will be at the Park Hill Bookstore, 4620 23rd Ave from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. That event is also free.

Park “Over the” Hill Party

Greater Park Hill Community is turning 50 this year and is throwing a great big party on Saturday, June 1. The Greater Park “Over the” Hill 50th Anniversary Celebration will include a block party, historical showcase, and a silent auction. Next month’s issue will include details of all the festivities. However, organizers are currently seeking meaningful donations to the silent auction. (Think along these lines: Tickets to a professional sporting event or performing arts venue. Are you a professional chef, willing to cook a private dinner in someone’s home? How about a great mountain house you would let someone use for a weekend? Maybe you have a connection with an organization and could arrange a donation for GPHC?) If you’re able to help, please contact Stephanie at scecca2001@yahoo.com. 100 percent of the proceeds will be used by GPHC to continue providing programs, which serve neighbors throughout the neighborhood.  For more information on GPHC’s programs, check out: http://greaterparkhill.org/programs/

Donation deadline is May 1.

The Joys Of Outdoor Spaces

2019 Garden Walk Is June 23

Signs of spring all around us, is a reminder that the 19th annual Park Hill Garden Walk is soon to follow. Mark your calendar for Saturday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., when homeowners throughout Park Hill open their private gardens to the public. Explore a multitude of unique and inviting outdoor spaces, meet gardeners and artists, and hopefully go home with a few ideas for your own garden. 

Each garden has it’s own personality that often reflects the interests and character of the gardeners themselves. These magical spaces focus on several life events and life needs including pure relaxation, entertainment, play areas for children, herb and vegetable gardens and much more. This year, as in years past, recycled and repurposed materials play a big part in some of these garden designs. What will you see that inspires a special creation in your own yard? 

Gardens at all levels of maturity will be represented. This will give you a good perspective as to what you can expect when you first plant your garden, what it will look like in a few years and what you will enjoy for years to come. You will see a wide array of special outdoor elements that draw us all to these spaces. Everything from water features, fire pits, entertainment bars, yard art and a neighborhood game table make up some of the features of these spaces and are sure to capture your soul. 

A special participant of this year’s Garden Walk is the Dahlia Campus for Health and Well Being, with over 40,000 square feet of urban garden, therapeutic gardens, aquaponics and more. 

The Garden Walk also partners with several area artists who are present at each garden location. They will share their own artwork and in some cases, you will be able to watch them create art that is inspired by the gardens. 

Tickets are available now at parkhillgardenwalk.org. Advance tickets will be available starting May 17 at numerous Park Hill locations. Advance tickets are $15, seniors (age 65+) are $12 and children under 12 are free. 

Make sure to check out next month’s issue for additional information, and sneak previews of some gardens.

— Jean Ercolani, Garden Walk Organizer

Parade Turning 10

4th of July Will Be A Blowout

Registration is open for the TENTH – you read that right! – annual Park Hill 4th of July Parade. Our plucky neighborhood favorite has quickly become the largest Independence Day march in Denver, attracting thousands of people from around the metro area.

Groups can register for FREE on the parade website at ParkHillParade.org. Neighborhood groups, community organizations and musical entries are encouraged to participate, with an emphasis on a fun and festive patriotic spirit. 

Get ideas by checking out photos from past parades at Facebook.com/ParkHillParade.

This year’s event begins at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 4 and will run along 23rd Avenue from Dexter Street to Krameria Street, followed by a street fair on Kearney.

The parade runs 100 percent on the support of sponsors and donations. Any organization interested in sponsorship should contact me at parkhillparade@gmail.com. Sponsorships start at just $100!

Anyone with questions about the parade can also contact me at 303-918-6517.

See you on the 4th!

— Justin Bresler,
Parade Founder and Organizer