Tucked behind a grove of twisted metal and discarded restaurant equipment, you’ll find an unlikely sight — a sign that reads “Grace.” The makeshift billboard sits at the entrance of a Globeville junkyard and is the harbinger of the newest home for Denver artists — Globeville Riverfront Arts Center, or GRACe for short.
Opened earlier this summer, GRACe is the predecessor of similar low rent art studios at Wazee Union in the rapidly developing River North neighborhoods (RiNo). Wazee Union, which closed to become Zepplin Station, was founded by Mickey Zepplin and Neil Adam, who are also responsible for the opening of GRACe.
“We feel a strong sense of responsibility not to displace these artists and have moved nearly 50 artists from Wazee to GRACe. It offers a full campus that’s designed specifically for their creativity. We welcome new artists and are particularly welcoming to Globeville artists and the community. It makes sense, as Globeville has always been a place where things are made. This is the next iteration of that,” said Zepplin.
The campus is stretched out over six acres (including the junkyard, which is undergoing a cleanup) and has 76 studio spaces. Rent starts at $175 per month, and spaces are anywhere from 50 square feet to 675 square feet with 24/7 access.
Current tenants are artists and creative businesses, including ceramicists, painters, fashion designers, photographers, interior designers and even a startup launching their own line of climbing equipment made from renewable and recycled materials. GRACe also hosts a rotating resident creative group show opening every First Friday
“GRACe is a community enterprise, not just a money-making opportunity, which recognizes the neighborhood’s culture of art and off-the-beaten-path innovation,” said Adam. “The campus offers a hub for creativity – where artists can share both space and ideas – something they wouldn’t have access to working out of their basements.”
On First Fridays, the gallery at GRACe is open to the public, showcasing a co-op of works from its resident creatives. In conjunction with Denver Arts Week, the campus will host a grand opening celebration on Friday, November 4, with details to emerge in the upcoming weeks.
To learn more about GRACe or to rent studio space, please contact studios@grace.com.
Name of Artist: Emma Balder Title of Art: Peace Tent Website: www.emmabalder.com
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The GRACe project is home to a wide variety of artists and creative businesses, ranging from ceramicists, to painters, to fashion designers, to photographers, to interior designers and several others. Among these tenants are dozens of artists from the former community studio, Wazee Union, which is now the site of the future Zeppelin Station project, a creative market hall and workplace slated to open in late 2017.
Mickey Zeppelin said, “We feel a strong sense of responsibility not to displace these artists and have moved nearly 50 artists from Wazee to GRACe. It offers a full campus that’s designed specifically for their creativity. We welcome new artists and are particularly welcoming to Globeville artists and the community. It makes sense as Globeville has always been a place where things are made. This is the next iteration of that.”
The GRACe campus is located directly adjacent to the Platte River and River North Park for the celebration of nature and recreation, so that nature can inspire its artists. Amenities include a kitchen, several walk-out patios, gardens, a chicken coop with chickens and a fully-equipped ceramics studio. Guest speakers and community programming and classes are part of the new community space. Studios are characterized by plenty of natural light with dividers between spaces strategically constructed to maximize light across as many studios as possible.
Another special facet of the project is the guidance provided by on-site by manager Susan Dillon, a lifelong artist and creative in her own right. Resident creatives at GRACe receive support such as business and marketing training, as well as opportunities to showcase their work both collectively and individually in the dedicated gallery space.
Susan Dillon said, “We have an active interest in seeing our resident creatives succeed in their endeavors, which serves as inspiration to everyone involved in the project.”
On First Fridays, the gallery at GRACe is open to the public, showcasing a co-op of works from its resident creatives. In conjunction with Denver Arts Week, the campus will host a grand opening celebration on Friday, November 4. GRACe is located at 888 E. 50th Ave., Denver, Colorado.
Inquiries about studio rental can be made by contacting studiosatgrace@gmail.com