Denver Art Museum - Martin Building Level 7

Well, we've made it to level 7; the top of the Denver Art Museum's Martin Building. This level houses my favorite exhibit, which is why I often start at the top of the museum and work my way down. Strangely, though, on my recent visit, I didn't take a whole lot of pictures of this level. I guess I just got too caught up in enjoying the art.

The focus of this level is the Western American Art Galleries. Having moved to the Denver area from the midwest over 25 years ago, I definitely still get caught up in the western history of this region. So seeing so many works of art depicting the history of the west are endlessly intriguing to me.

Well, thanks for joining us on this floor-by-floor journey through the Martin Building. Be sure to check out the exhibits for yourself at 100 W 14th Ave in Denver.

Denver Art Museum - Martin Building Level 6

We are continuing to work our way up the levels of the Martin Building at the Denver Art Museum. Today we arrive on level 6. 

This level primarily houses the European Art Before 1900 Galleries. Not a name that exactly rolls off the tongue, is it. It is, however, a very intriguing exhibit. You'll find Gothic style, Baroque, Rococo and more. The sixth floor also features the Textile Art and Fashion Galleries as well as the Photography Galleries.

Next time we make it to the top of the museum with a visit to level 7.

Denver Art Museum - Martin Building Level 5

Let's keep going with our look at the exhibits in the Denver Art Museum's Martin Building. We're on Level 5, which is devoted to Asian art. The collection features over 850 items, spanning over 5,000 years of history. This is one of my favorite levels of the Martin Building. Perhaps it reminds me of my love for Asian cinema, especially all those Shaw Brothers martial arts movies.

Denver Art Museum - Martin Building Level 4

The last week for me has been filled by a major project at home. Putting in new carpet is exhausting. So, I got a bit distracted from our floor-by-floor look at the Denver Art Museum's newly re-opened Martin Building. So, now let's jump back in with a look at Level 4.

This floor features the Latin American Art and Art of the Ancient Americas Galleries. With more than 1,000 rare works and artifacts, ths is one of the most comprehensive collections of Latin American art in the US. The works span a time frame of over 3,500 years.

The art on this level offers some unique contrasts, as it features both ancient artifacts as well as a great deal of religiously themed items that came after Europeans brought their cultures and beliefs to the region.

Denver Art Museum - Martin Building Level 3

Today we climb the stairs of the Martin Building up to Level 3. Seriously, we do climb the stairs, because even now with two new elevators added during the renovations, the elevators in this museum take too long! Hey, with people getting off and on up and down seven floors it's gonna be that way. Anyhow, Level 3 brings us to the Indigenous Arts of North America Galleries.

One of the things that has always appealed to my family about the Denver Art Museum is that even though art is the focus, it is also very much a history museum. The gallery on Level 3 is a great example of this as it displays objects from more than 250 indigenous nations across the US and Canada.

Here is a small sample. See you again on Level 4!

Denver Art Museum - Martin Building Level 2

My family and I have found that a good way to tackle the seven stories of the Denver Art Museum's Martin Building is to start at the top and work your way down. But, rather than confuse everybody, we're going to do the opposite for this series of posts. Since Level 1 is pretty much an entry level, we begin here on level 2.

Level 2 features two main exhibit areas. The first is devoted to the Northwest Coast and Alaska Native Gallery. Then, shifting gears in a big way, you can make your way to the Design Galleries features unique chairs, tables, and other household items. They don't necessarily appear comfortable to sit on, but they are cool to look at.

Enjoy a few pics I grabbed and come back next time as we go up to Level 3.

Denver Art Museum - Martin Building Reopening

This was a big weekend for the folks at the Denver Art Museum! After a four-year renovation project, the museum's Martin Building has finally been reopened to the public. My family and I made sure to be there on the goodbye weekend for the Martin Building four years ago, so we absolutely had to show up this weekend for the big reopening.

The museum has two buildings which are across the street from each other, connected by a bridge. The Hamilton Building is the newer structure. It was opened in 2006 and is one of the bizarre structures in all of Colorado. The Martin Building, on the other hand, has been around since 1971, so it celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year. It was designed by Italian architect Gio Ponti and is the only completed building in North America by this well-known architect. Many say it resembles a tall castle.

With seven floors of exhibits, it has a lot of vertical ground for visitors to explore. We'll go floor by floor through the building over the course of the next few posts. For this post, though, we're just taking a look at the new Sie Welcome Center, which will serve as a new entry point for the museum. Come back in the days to come for a look at some of the unique exhibits spread throughout the Martin Building.

The Dream Tree

I've traveled to many places around our country, both large and small. There are some small towns where Walmart seems to be the hub of activity. I mean, when you don't have much in the way of museums, theaters, etc...I guess Walmart is the place to be. One thing I haven't seen at many Walmarts, though, is an art installation. The Wal-Mart in downtown Englewood, however, happens to be adjacent to the Museum of Outdoor Arts. So, ladies and gentlemen, I give you what may be the only Wal-Mart that is part of a museum.

The display called The Dream Tree is on the west side of the store. It was created by a local artist named Todd Siler. The artist says the piece is "a mosaic of motivational thought that inspires action." It certainly isn't what you'd find at the average Walmart, I'll give you that.

The piece is located a block or so away from the other displays the make up the Englewood campus of the Museum of Outdoor Arts. Next time you're checking out that museum, be sure to venture over and see it. Or, pop over to view it before you step inside to stock up on cat food or peruse the bin of six-dollar blu-rays. It's located at 601 Englewood Parkway in downtown Englewood.

Tuscany Plaza - Museum of Outdoor Arts

Denver has many great museums, but one of the most unique is the Museum of Outdoor Arts. It actually exists in several different locations, and focuses largely on outdoor sculptures. That also means you don't even need a ticket! One of the locations is right in the heart of the Denver Tech Center in Greenwood Village. Marjorie Park (adjacent to Fiddler's Green Amphitheater) is the centerpiece of this branch of the museum, but right now the park is being renovated. It's closed to the public. Luckily, several of the office buildings in the area also have displays, such as Tuscany Plaza at the intersection of Greenwood Plaza Blvd and Fiddler's Green Cir.

Three works can be found at Tuscany Plaza. The most prominent is a bronze statue of Mercury; a recreation of a sculpture found in Florence Italy which dates back to 1564. He's an impressive sight, standing guard of the building which houses the international headquarters of Red Robin.

Closer to the building you will find a sculpture of two horses. Titled "Of One Heart," it was sculpted by Gorge Carlson in 1984. He was inspired to create this piece after seeing a draft horse competition at a rodeo. Given our region's western heritage, this is a very appropriate addition to this courtyard.

The final piece is titled "The Fence." This site-specific sculpture was created by Carolyn Braaksma and Andrew Dufford in 1988.  This piece, in particular, is interesting in how it interacts with the architecture of the building behind it.

You can check out all of these sculptures for yourself at 6312 S Fiddler's Green Cir in Greenwood Village.