The Art Garage: New Direction, New Director and a Park Hill Arts Weekend
By Barb McKee
The Art Garage in Park Hill is growing into a community art center with new energy and a new Executive Director. Welcome Katie Moran, a recent Peace Corps volunteer in Grenada, graduating from Pace University in NYC with a Masters in Special Education and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. New to the Denver area, Katie is settling into her position by working with a Board of Directors and volunteers to plan and implement programs enhancing our mission. The Art Garage provides a variety of educational opportunities including art classes and art-based community activities. We are a nonprofit organization who provides a neighborhood community center that brings people together through the Arts. We support cultural, social and educational diversity.
A leader who is able to capture support of volunteers, customers and donors measures the strength of an organization. Embracing this reality, Katie has been working with local artists, Allison Davies, Chris Hindman, Patricia Barr Clarke and Barb McKee who are connecting exhibiting artists for the first Park Hill Studio Tour.
“During my service in Peace Corps I enjoyed developing relationships in the community and working with members to create projects that brought the community together through positive impact. I look forward to being able to do this with the arts in Northeast Denver”.
Many practicing artists and artisans in Northeast Denver have been exhibiting and selling their work from their home studios for years. One such group of nine Colorado artisans has been transforming the home of Melanie and Bill Turner at 2233 Ash Street into a Holiday Art Market for the past eight consecutive years. This year, on the weekend of December 7 and 8, you will find beautifully handcrafted cards by Katy Shaw, award winning porcelain ceramics by Lynda Ladwig, crazy and cuddly monsters by Genevieve Turner, and other unique clothing and accessories for children and adults all ready to wrap. The Ash Street market is open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Inspired by their holiday spirit, the Art Garage has enlisted eight artists who will also open their studios to share their original work with the public that weekend. We are pleased to present accomplished watercolors by Patricia Barr-Clarke; a blend of street painting art styles by Marc Huebert; functional pottery that combines artistic expression with fine craftsmanship by Barbara Hoffman; zenOgram and paper casting by Esther Rumaner; unique organic clothing by Meridythe Emmanuel; stunning hand-hammered vessels and metal sculpture by John Henley; playful, large-scale metal sculptures by Reven Swanson; and no-pun-intended junk art by Pam and Jack Farrar. The Studio Tour begins with an Opening Reception at the Art Garage on Friday, December 6 from 5-8pm. The Studio Tours will continue over the weekend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Art Garage will also offer Family Art Workshops on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.
In addition to the Ash Street and Art Garage events, two other merchants will be exhibiting works by local artists the weekend of December 7-8. Share Denver will host a Fairfax Holiday Market at 2829 Fairfax Street on Sunday, December 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sacred i Yoga will host their 5th annual Holiday Art and Craft Show at 2212 Kearney Street on Saturday, December 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s a holiday art extravaganza, and it’s all in Park Hill!
“We want to encourage our neighbors to shop locally and support the creative endeavors of our community members,” said Share Denver’s Becky Hensley.
Begin this tour at the Art Garage where Katie will be handing out free maps listing locations and times when each participant will be opened. The Park Hill Arts Weekend is a true collaboration of neighbors who believe in the value of art.
“Art has always been a passion of mine. I have experienced myself the outlet art can be and have witnessed the benefits art can bring, specifically to people with disabilities. We are an inclusive art center and I am dedicated to ensuring that our staff, programming, and environment will fully demonstrate this,” said Katie. Yes, Katie, you have found a home in a creative community at the Art Garage.
For more information on the Park Hill Arts Weekend, or other events hosted by the Art Garage – which include the Opening Reception and Auction, Holiday Family Workshops, December classes and the Second Annual Holiday Tree sale – visit artgaragedenver.com or call 303-377-2353. A percentage of all profits will be donated to the Art Garage for future programs that Katie will introduce to the community!