McNichols Civic Center Building Fall Exhibitions and Events Celebrate Native American Culture and Art: Companion Exhibition at Buell Theatre

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Denver Arts & Venues is pleased to present three new fall exhibitions at McNichols Civic Center Building and a companion exhibit at Buell Theatre, with several exhibition-related events, including the fourth event in the Cultural Fashion Runway Series, celebrating Native American art and fashion.

“We are so pleased to present these new exhibitions and our fourth runway show as a way to celebrate Native American art and culture,” said Ginger White, executive director of Denver Arts & Venues. “With photography, prints, narrative, video and fashion, these events and exhibitions highlight the breadth and depth of contemporary Indigenous artists.”

Fall Exhibitions:
Margaret Kasahara: Notable (McNichols Building, First Floor Community Gallery), Sept. 1-Dec. 18. “Notable” is an exhibition of interdisciplinary work inspired by everyday experiences and observations – from familiar routine to extraordinary events. The pieces were created in the spirit of sharing personal perspectives and seeing familiar objects in unexpected ways. https://www.mcnicholsbuilding.com/exhibitions/detail/margaret-kasahara--notable- 

Nizhóní Way: New Works by Melanie Yazzie (McNichols Building, Boettcher Cultural Pavilion, Second Floor), Sept. 9-Dec. 18. This exhibition is a collection of new mixed media works with various levels of printmaking layered with painting and drawing. As an artist, Melanie Yazzie works to serve as an agent of change by encouraging others to learn about the social, cultural and political phenomena that shape the lives of contemporary Native peoples in the United States and beyond. Her work incorporates personal experiences as well as the events and symbols from Diné (Navajo) culture. https://www.mcnicholsbuilding.com/exhibitions/detail/nizh-n--way--new-works-by-melanie-yazzie 

The Red Road Project (McNichols Building, Third Floor), Sept. 9-Dec. 18. This collaborative exhibition explores Native American identities, stories and experiences through a first-person narrative while depicting an accurate representation of American Indian people living in 21st century, post-colonial America. https://www.mcnicholsbuilding.com/exhibitions/detail/the-red-road-project

The McNichols Building exhibitions are free and open to the public daily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Danielle SeeWalker Solo Exhibition: You Can’t Have Our Braids (Buell Theatre lobby), Oct. 15-Jan. 1, 2023 A companion exhibition to “The Red Road Project,” Danielle SeeWalker’s solo exhibition showcases her original paintings, with mixed media works that merge expressionistic portraiture with her Lakota traditions. https://www.artscomplex.com/explore-the-complex/danielle-seewalker-solo-exhibition-you-cant-have-our-braids/ 

Buell Theatre lobby exhibitions are accessible to theatre patrons during events. If you would like to schedule a tour of the exhibit, please contact Shanna Shelby, Denver Arts & Venues program administrator and chief curator of exhibitions, at shanna.shelby@denvergov.org. 

"It's very unheard of - almost groundbreaking - to have contemporary Native American artwork being displayed in a mainstream way, especially a Native American woman's artwork,” said artist Danielle SeeWalker. “I feel honored that the City of Denver wanted to showcase my work in their venues, as it is allowing my voice - a voice that has historically been censored - to openly express what I have to say through my work, without apology or explanation."

Denver Arts & Venues has several exhibit-related events for those interested in learning more about the artworks and artists featured. 

Exhibition Related Events:
Notable, Nizhóní Way and The Red Road Project Opening Reception – McNichols Building, Friday, Sept. 9, 5-8 p.m.: This reception is by invitation only. 

The Red Road Project-virtual tour with Carlotta Cardana and Danielle SeeWalker – Saturday, Sept. 10, noon-1 p.m.: Join Shanna Shelby, Denver Arts & Venues program administrator and chief curator of exhibitions, and photographer Carlotta Cardana and writer Danielle SeeWalker, in a virtual tour and discussion about "The Red Road Project." This event is free and open to the public, but people must register in order to get a link and instructions to join the discussion.  

Cultural Runway Fashion Show: Casting Call – McNichols Building, Saturday, Sept. 10, 1-3 p.m.: Open casting call for models of all shapes and sizes to strut their stuff at Denver Arts & Venues Cultural Runway Series: WÓȞOPA on Oct. 15.

"Notable" Virtual Tour with Margaret Kasahara – Monday, Sept. 12, noon-1 p.m.: Join Shanna Shelby, Denver Arts & Venues program administrator and chief curator of exhibitions, and artist Margaret Kasahara, in a virtual tour and discussion about "Notable." This event is free and open to the public, but people must register in order to get a link and instructions to join the discussion.

Wóȟopa Marketplace – McNichols Building, Saturday, Oct. 15, noon-5 p.m.: Join us to support local artists at the Wóȟopa Market, where 30 Native American artisans and vendors will be selling their artworks and merchandise. The Wóȟopa Market will reopen again at 7 p.m. to ticketholders of the Arts & Venues Cultural Runway event. Items for sale include fine art and prints, jewelry, Native American food, wearable art and clothing, stationery, textiles, body care and soaps, and so much more!

Denver Arts & Venues’ Cultural Runway Series: WÓȞOPA – McNichols Building, Saturday, Oct. 15, 7-11 p.m.: The fourth event in the series, this runway show is curated and produced by Kelly Holmes of Native Max Magazine and features Native designers from tribes with historic ties to Colorado and nearby states. Native fashion designers featured on the runway will include: Sky Eagle Collection, Sage Mountain Flower, Red Berry Woman and Choke Cherry Creek. This immersive evening will include a special performance by Supaman and a skateboarding interlude. VIP ticket holders will receive an Indigenously curated “swag bag” including Native American designed and produced items from local and nationally recognized artists and brands. Tickets: $10-$50 available at https://www.axs.com/events/446939/arts-venues-cultural-fashion-runway-series-woyopa-tickets?skin=mcnichols. 

Exploring Monotype with Gelli Plates – McNichols Building, Friday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Melanie Yazzie, professor of printmaking at University of Colorado Boulder, will lead an intimate monotype printing workshop. Using monotype as the primary technique, workshop participants will learn how to use Gelli plates to create their own richly layered compositions through one or more impressions and countless design variations. Limited to 15 participants. Tickets: $75 available at https://www.axs.com/events/444944/exploring-monotype-with-gelli-plates-tickets?skin=mcnichols