Nestled in Denver’s residential Baker neighborhood lies an unexpected gem — an abandoned fortune cookie warehouse. Once home to the Lucky Fortune Cookie Company, famous for crafting crispy vanilla wafers with messages of luck and wisdom, the space is set for a transformation. On May 24th, Cookie Factory will open a new chapter as a 5,000-square-foot public arts space, marking its debut as a national landmark in the Mile High’s contemporary art scene.
Founded by Amanda J. Precourt, in collaboration with artist Andrew Jensdotter and
artistic director and curator Jérôme Sans, Cookie Factory took nine years to complete after it was discovered by Precourt in 2016. “The original fortune cookie factory warehouse, built in 1941, spoke to me,” said Precourt. “I knew I needed to save the existing building and do something special and unique.” Precourt, a real estate developer, loves to turn old architecture into something transformative. “I envisioned a means to reuse the old fortune cookie factory on the ground level and build an entirely new second-level apartment situated on top of the existing building.”
At the time, Precourt collected contemporary art internationally and designed the second floor around her collection. Still unsure of how to transform the ground floor, she was introduced to co-collaborator Sans through her friend and advisor Kim Gould who helped shape Precourt’s vision. “Sans, alongside my partner, Jensdotter, helped me to create a bespoke exhibition space in the original fortune cookie factory to include several galleries, a room for video art and an outdoor gathering space,” said Precourt. “I am thrilled with the complete restoration of the building, which combines a public art space that is a rare destination for contemporary art with a personal residence, all in a historic enclave in the city.”
Cookie Factory will be a gift to Denver, introducing new artists to the community who haven’t had the opportunity to let their work shine. Kicking off the launch of Cookie Factory with a solo presentation, multidisciplinary artist Sam Falls will present Nothing Without Nature. Through September 2025, visitors to The Cookie Factory will experience myriad representations of the heart of Colorado, the Rocky Mountains. Featuring videos of sunsets and sunrises from around the globe, sculptures made of gemstones sourced from the Rockies, 20-foot paintings and a vertical forest, Nothing Without Nature reflects on the beauty of our Centennial State and the ecosystem that makes our community thrive. What better way to kick off a Colorado art space that aims to “spotlight narratives deeply rooted in Denver and the Rocky Mountains?”
“Falls’ artistic practice offers a reflection on the sublime and peaceful spirit of nature. He treats the outdoors as his studio, creating large-scale works that speak to the environment in which they were created,” said Precourt. “His inaugural exhibition embodies our mission to bring art to
Denver, which reflects Colorado’s ethos and is made specifically for the architecture of the Cookie Factory. The show includes artworks created in, and inspired by, the Yampa Valley of Colorado, which reveal the raw and unique landscapes surrounding the city of Denver.”
Cookie Factory is not just another art museum, but a space intended to complement the other organizations around Denver and give creative freedom to upcoming artists. “It will allow us to create opportunities for collaboration with the other existing cultural institutions — including the Denver Art Museum, the Botanic Gardens and MCA Denver, to name a few,” said Precourt. “We are not showing works from a private collection. Instead, we are commissioning artists and giving them the freedom to create new works inspired by their visits to Colorado and in response to the architecture of the space. All work on view is brand new, debuting just for our city.”
The grand opening of Cookie Factory will take place on May 24th with a free block party, highlighting Precourt’s hope of creating a gathering place for the Denver community. Visitors can enjoy food and drink trucks and music while experiencing the new artistic space.
Unlike other institutions, Cookie Factory will be free and open to the public, encouraging art lovers, novices and locals to visit Denver’s newest cultural hub for creativity.
Cookie Factory is located at 425 West 4th Ave., Denver.
