– Researched & written by Mike Hamers

With the cold winter weather approaching, you may want to check out these 10 art museums across the state to find creative and authentic works. Throw your preconceived notions out the window, because these museums are guaranteed to both surprise and impress.

1. CLYFFORD STILL MUSEUM, Denver

1250 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80204

Clyfford Still is considered one of the most important American artists of the 20th century and an originator of the Abstract Expressionism movement. With more than 3,000 artworks in the collection, the award-winning Clyfford Still Museum is the home to 95% of Still’s artworks. The Clyfford Still Museum features his entire life of paintings. The museum resides in the popular Denver Civic Center neighborhood. Nine interconnected galleries display the evolving character of Still’s art. More at https://clyffordstillmuseum.org

2. A. R. MITCHELL MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART, Trinidad

150 E Main St, Trinidad, CO 81082

“A Hidden Gem of Cowboy Art!” — Arthur Roy Mitchell painted iconic western scenes featuring cowboys, horses, cattle and vast beautiful landscapes that captured the hearts and minds of pulp western readers from the 1930’s to today. The largest collection of his work is proudly displayed at the A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art, in downtown Trinidad, CO. More at http://www.armitchellmuseum.com

2. A. R. MITCHELL MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART, Trinidad

3. POWERS ART CENTER, Carbondale

13110 Highway 82, Carbondale, CO 81623
After a successful career in publishing, John Powers and wife Kimiko, began a second life as art collector and patron. Their collection includes an extraordinarily comprehensive series of post-war works (Abstract Expressionism, Neo-Dada, and Pop Art) by Jasper Johns, plus select pieces from other prominent artists including Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg, Roy Lichtenstein, Willem de Kooning, Robert Rauschenberg, James Rosenquist, Frank Stella, Christo and others. Admission is free to the public. More at https://www.powersartcenter.org

4. BOULDER MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, Boulder

1750 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302

BMoCA inspires creativity and fosters community through contemporary art. Founded in 1972 by a group of local artists, BMoCA is one of Colorado’s premier venues for the exploration of contemporary art through innovative exhibitions and engaging programs for all audiences. The museum resides in a 1906 historic landmark building that once served as a warehouse.
303.443.2122 More at https://bmoca.org

5. KIRKLAND MUSEUM OR FINE AND DECORATIVE ART, Denver
1201 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80204
Kirkland Museums is a celebrated international decorative art collection from the 1870s to the present, with examples of every major design period from Arts & Crafts through Postmodern. The ever-evolving exhibit contains over 30,000 works by more than 1,500 artists and designers. The museum houses three principal collections and includes the original studio and art school building of artist Vance Kirkland (1904–1981). Search through over 400 highlights online at https://www.kirklandmuseum.org

6. MUSEO DE LAS AMERICAS , Denver
861 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204, 303.571.4401
Celebrating Latin American art and culture since 1991.

MUSEO is the premier Latin American Art Museum in the Rocky Mountain region located in the heart of the historic Sante Fe Arts District. It is committed to educating and celebrating the Latin America community and culture through the collection, preservation, interpretation and exhibition of diverse art and cultures, from Ancient to Folk to Contemporary. All of the exhibitions come with a suite of programs intended to engage the hands, the eyes, and the brain in deeper convrsations’s topic. More at https://museo.org

7. CENTER OF SOUTHWEST STUDIES at Fort Lewis College

Center of Southwest Studies, Fort Lewis College, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango, CO 81301

Features a world-class textile collection in the Durango Collection. You can appreciate the skill and vibrant colors in the traditional textiles and universal design in the wall art of Hopi artist Duane Koyawen and Dine artist Landis Bahe. Draw inspiration from the weaver’s connections to the natural world in their cultural practices alongside showcased wall art. Exhibits vary. Main: 970-247-7456 / More into at: https://swcenter.fortlewis.edu

8. CHAPUNGU SCULPTURE PARK, Loveland
When culture collides with nature, a wonderful equilibrium flourishes. Chapungu Sculpture Park is where the urban naturalism movement began. Opened in 2007, Chapungu Sculpture Park is a one-of-a-kind outdoor exhibit, displaying 82 monumental stone sculptures from Zimbabwean artisans traversing 26 acres of natural and landscaped gardens. Nestled in the foothills, this outdoor cultural experience is for all ages to gather, explore, and experience individually or together. It is conveniently located just east of the Promenade Shops at Centerra off Hwy. 34 and Centerra Parkway in Loveland. Open 365 days and no fee to explore. https://chapunguatcenterra.com

9. STEAMBOAT ART MUSEUM, Steamboat Springs
807 Lincoln Ave, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 / 970.870.1755

Steamboat Art Museum is located in the heart of downtown Steamboat Springs. The museum presents rotating exhibitions of artwork by living masters whose work is relevant to the culture and heritage of Northwest Colorado and the American West. SAM is ADAaccessible and admission is free. https://steamboatartmuseum.org

10. WONDER WONDER, Boulder
1685 29th St, Boulder, CO 80301 / 720.429.1895

Wonder Wonder is a new form of experiential entertainment that intends to bring out the weird, wild, and wonderful in ways you’ve never seen before. Weave your way through 18 rooms of art installations, light displays, and technological contraptions. Awe-inspiring, mystifying, disorienting, and beautiful, Wonder Wonder seeks to open your eyes to something you’ve never seen or experienced before. Inspired by art, technology, light, and the senses, our rooms will invite curiosity and engage viewers of all ages and backgrounds. Our mission is to create an immersive one-of-a-kind experience that is as engaging as it is inspiring. Wonder Wonder is a one-way experience – photography is encouraged. More at https://www.wonderwonder.us

10 Top Must-See Colorado Art Museums

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