On the Subject of Alleys
This month’s episode of StreetWise focuses on alleys. And we will start out with a call for entries for the fifth annual Park Hill Alley Art Contest. If you or someone you know has installed an intriguing piece of art in their alley, let us know and we will submit the information to our esteemed panel of judges. Criteria for entries are loose: all styles, mediums and degrees of weirdness are acceptable – save for obviously offensive graffiti or tagging. Judges will take into account not only the artistic skill involved but also the apparent intention of the property owner/artist to have fun and provide entertainment for pedestrians. Finalists in the 2012 contest will be announced in the October issue of the Greater Park Hill News, and will receive prizes from generous local merchants. Among last year’s winners were colorful garage murals by Sharon Feder behind 2224 Leyden and Diego Rodriguez behind 2372 Cherry, and an installation of tennis shoes behind the Ray family residence at 2080 Dexter.
Here are a few more art installations worth including on an alley walking tour:
2645 Clermont. An eclectic (and Celtic) collection of pieces Tom O’Dwyer has constructed of stone, masonry and metal.
2619 Clermont. Duane Gall has assembled fascinating pieces, some with political messages, from every imaginable type of recycled material.
2212 Hudson. Whimsical masonry pieces and great use of old window frames by Park Hill’s most celebrated mason, J.R. Ewing (yes, that’s his name).
2943 Glencoe. Brightly colored moon and stars painted on wood on back fence. Art in the front of the house, too, including pinwheels, wind socks and several amphibians.
The entire alley between Holly and Hudson, from 22nd to Montview. More than 100 pieces behind virtually every home!
Now, for some general trivia regarding alleys:
An alley is a narrow lane running behind or between buildings, used for foot traffic, access to stables and garages, delivery of coal and other supplies, and emergency vehicles. Around 1950, the use of alleys, especially in the suburbs, went into decline. However, in recent years, there has been a renaissance of alleys, much of it driven by the writing of architect Andres Duany, who believes that alleys promote the integration of foot and auto traffic, and encourage neighborliness. Note the extensive use of alleys in Stapleton and Lowry as part of this trend.
Oddly, Manhattan has few alleys, and they are more often referred to as mews. Other terms for “alley” include: jetty (parts of the United Kingdom), steeg (Netherlands), gang (Belgium) and gali (India).
According to the City of Denver, there are four types of alleys that make up Denver’s almost 4,500 alleys: concrete (2,500), asphalt overlaid (1,400), private (365), and unimproved (less than 100). In 2005, then Mayor John Hickenlooper began a program to pave unimproved alleys, which at that time numbered over 1,000. The program was completed in about six years with 100-200 alleys being paved each year.
To delve into the alleys of downtown Denver, visit denverinfill.com/subpages_special_topics/alleys.htm, where you can see interesting photos and read commentary about downtown alleys, fire escapes and bridges.
To suggest a submission for the Park Hill Alley Art Contest, contact Jack Farrar at 303-388-5204 or denverfarrar@comcast.net.