Nestled on the north end of the RiNo arts district, Denverites have started taking notice of the Rainy Days Gallery.
Opened by Jordan Slemmer in early 2025, the space is starting to take shape. The gallery is focused on discovery, and the space is filled with art from locals and icons alike. The paintings on display represent Slemmer’s vision for a space that strikes a balance between the local and the global, the up-and-coming and the established and the familiar and the foreign.
“The galleries here are so eclectic,” Slemmer said, reflecting on the sometimes niche nature of shows in Denver’s art scene.
At only 25, Slemmer is hoping to help Denver become a destination in the global art community. An artist himself, he spent his time after college as an art seller in Naples, Florida, and as a jewelry salesman with Jared Jewelers. Since getting the keys in January, he has turned his attention full-time to Rainy Days. He renovated the space himself with a little help from the community.
“There aren’t too many galleries in the arts district,” Slemmer observed.
Denver’s art scene, and RiNo in particular, has always been enigmatic, the omnipresent murals showing a veneer of talent that certainly runs deeper than what’s been on location. We have incredible artists debuting new works here, a gorgeous art museum, and an arts district that has boomed with development over the last two decades. Yet, there is still a sense that Denver can bring more on the national and international levels.
The Rainy Days Gallery is propped up by Slemmer’s ideals, the first being that art is meant to be seen.
“Being in a museum is cool, but a lot of artists would rather have their piece hung in a place like Union Station,” said Slemmer.
The owner wants to open up his space to pieces that aren’t getting that viewership, whether it’s a Banksy hidden away in a private collection, or an artist who hasn’t been featured in Denver before.
“I want to support local artists,” stated Slemmer, “and sometimes the best way to do that is to put them next to the bigger, more nationally and internationally known names.”
At the Rainy Days Gallery artists aren’t charged wall fees. The hangings are all supported by commissions, allowing Slemmer to feature artists who match his vision rather than his payment plan.
He’s been able to harness the era of social media to break down traditional barriers faced by artists and galleries alike. Currently hanging in the gallery, you’ll find work from Toronto-based Julie Brevetti. Slemmer and Brevetti met online when he saw the artist’s work on Instagram and reached out. In a time when artists and galleries can connect at the click of a button, the art community can be magnificent, organized and arranged more by theme than by borders.
“We have the ability to reach out to artists at all stages of their career. If your values match, you can work with just about anyone.” And Slemmer plans to work with anyone who matches his vision.
Slemmer believes that every piece belongs somewhere, and that it’s more a matter of organization than anything else in finding the right spot for a piece to hang.
“We find art its home,” he stated matter-of-factly.
Next up for Slemmer and the Rainy Days gallery is a collaboration with Faun Gallery, found again by striking up a conversation over social media. The L.A. based gallery has its second location in Chengdu, China, which serves as a hub for artistic exchange between the U.S. and East Asia. Currently there are plans being made to host a show featuring 15-20 artists from across Asia in Chengdu, L.A., Denver, and potentially New York.
Slemmer views the art community almost like an ecosystem- all the small connections can lead you to the bigger picture. He sees his gallery and the floors, and walls he painted himself as a crossroads for art from all walks of life. Most importantly he sees his work at Rainy Days Gallery as a way for Denver to build those connections within the international art scene. Denver artists deserve to adorn walls worldwide, and we would love to see more of what the world has to offer in our own backyard. Afterall, every piece has its home, we just need galleries like Rainy Days to help them find it.
Rainy Days Gallery is located at 3535 Walnut Street, Denver. It is open Wednesday through Saturday from 3 – 6 p.m.
All photography courtesy of Jordan Slemmer.