Jan McNutt
Posted: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 12:34 pm

"Moby Grape" by Wes Wilson

 There are two exciting happenings in Denver’s museum world. One is the pop art exhibition through July 19 at the Denver Art Museum (DAM). Spring is a good time to pull out the granny glasses, tie-dyed t-shirts and focus your eyes on the kaleidoscope images from The Psychedelic Experience: Rock Posters from the San Francisco Bay Area, 1965-71. Experience over 300 music and concert posters, listen to the music of the ‘60s, and enter into the culture that inspired designs marking a coming of age. See the artists’ works accompanied by their words of 1960s wisdom. The collection includes music posters from Lee Conklin, Wes Wilson, David Singer, Bonnie MacLean (wife of concert guru Bill Graham), Alton Kelley, Victor Moscoso and Rick Griffin, among others. Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead said, “Rick, like the rest of us, was on a mission to turn the world on.” Spend an afternoon with your head on backwards. It’s good for your imagination.

The Lab and the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver merge

The other museum news is the merging of the Lab [of Art and Ideas] and the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA). Adam Lerner, founder of the Lab in 2004, served as its executive director until recently. In March, Lerner was named director of the 13-year-old MCA and says he is anxious to expand the MCA’s profile both nationally and internationally.

The new director is hopeful for collaboration with the DAM’s modern and contemporary art curator, Christoph Heinrich. Lerner has set his sights on creating a working relationship for Denver’s two art institutions, which have otherwise ignored each other. Joining forces can only enhance Denver’s art reputation, which in turn would bring worldwide exhibitions and acknowledgement to our art scene. It would secure the possibilities of bringing well-known, cutting-edge artists, exhibitions and programs to Denver.

The MCA’s 27,000-square-foot building opened in October 2007, and has been trying to fit in ever since. Lerner admits he is good with people and building relationships. The MCA hopes his big ideas morph into big art. The Museum of Contemporary Art Denver is located at 15th and Delgany Streets in Lodo.

Don’t-miss art exhibits

In our northern corridor, visit the Fort Collins Museum of Contemporary Art through May 1 for the show of creative designs titled Masks at MOCA. Enjoy the diverse personalities of these original masks. Continuing through the month is the exhibition of contemporary/abstract paintings from the collection of Al and Lon Wynne.

By all means, as spring and summer emerge into warm days drive down to Englewood for a tour of the Museum of Outdoor Arts. The tours are free. www.moaonline.org.

Keep going to Littleton’s Hudson Gardens’ sculpture gardens. As the season wends its way into summer, see the list of concerts at Hudson Gardens’ outdoor theater for a positively star-lit, enchanting evening of music. On schedule from May to August, hear Chris Daniels & the Kings, The Nacho Men, Flash Cadillac, The Nylons, Poco, BJ Thomas, Nitty Gritty Dirtband, Herman’s Hermit and more. www.hudsongardens.org

A stop in Golden is never complete without a look-see at the Foothills Art Center (FHAC). Through May see an exhibition of Colorado artists in the Colorado Art Open. From May 12-July 8, the FHAC will feature an exhibition titled, Masterpieces of Colorado. Grouped as a large selection of Western landscapes, it’s a must-see for you and your summer guests. This show is a collection of past and present Colorado landscapes from the Gold Rush days to the expansion of the railways. Artists have long had a romantic notion of the West. This show reveals the beauty of the West interpreted by artists past and present.

Upcoming events — opportunities to purchase art

Art buyers beware — two great weekends for collecting art are upon us. The weekend of June 13-14, visit the annual Art Students League of Denver Summer Art Market. Held in the streets surrounding the school at 2nd and Grant, it’s easy to find and parking is reasonably easy. This is one outdoor art event you’ll return to over and over. The art is exceptional, yet affordable. Paddle your way through a sea of tents packed with quality paintings, pottery and sculpture.

The second weekend in August welcomes Loveland’s outdoor sculpture shows. The two shows are identified as the largest in the United States. These nationally acclaimed shows carry the reputation for being the sculpture event of the summer for purchasing tabletop sculpture or a monument for City Hall. Meet sculptors from around the world and gaze upon work that takes your breath away. They will tempt you to climb on it, and most will put a smile on your face. August 7-9, www.lovelandsculpturegroup.org.

Make the most of the Front Range’s spring and summer events. Tell your friends where you’ve been and what you saw. Don’t be a bore. Remember: “Nothing is interesting if you’re not interested.” — Helen MacInness.