UpDoNa’s Arts & Beautification Committee is dedicated to enhancing the aesthetic and cultural appeal of the upper downtown Denver area through various art and landscaping projects.
One of the most exciting and ambitious projects that the committee is working on is the Dominion Tower Project, which will transform the 30-story building with a stunning mural that will become a landmark for Denver.
The Dominion Tower Project is a collaboration between UpDoNa, the Downtown Denver Partnership, and the Mayor’s office, which has made this a high-priority item for the city’s reactivation after the pandemic. The committee has secured the participation of renowned artist Pat Milbery, who is known for his colorful and geometric murals that celebrate the spirit and diversity of Denver. Milbery will create a mural that will cover the entire south-facing facade of the Dominion Tower, which is located at 600 17th Street. The mural will be visible from many parts of the city and will showcase the vibrancy and creativity of the upper downtown area.
The committee hopes that the Dominion Tower Project will not only beautify the urban landscape but also inspire and engage the community. In a later phase of the project, the committee plans to create a climbing wall activation adjacent to the mural, which will offer a unique and interactive experience for residents and visitors. Approval of the Dominion Tower owners is pending. The committee expects the mural to be completed by late Summer/early Fall 2025, coinciding with the full activation of the 16th Street Mall.
The committee is also working on other projects, such as the mural along the entrance to the Cherry Creek Path at the access point between Stout and Colfax. This mural will be done by two local emerging artists and will honor the upper downtown area and Colorado.
The committee has been working closely with the Parks and Recreation Department to obtain the necessary permits and approvals for the mural and aims to finish that mural by the end of October, weather permitting.
Another way that UpDoNA supports the community is by creating and maintaining green spaces that enhance the urban landscape and provide educational opportunities. One of our current projects is the Education/green space project at the corner of Welton and Broadway. This will transform an unused area into a vibrant and inviting place for learning, playing, and exploring nature. The green space will feature native plants, a rain garden, a butterfly habitat, and a vegetable patch. The outdoor classroom will be equipped with benches, tables, and other educational materials. We are working closely with the Denver Expeditionary School to design and implement this project, which aligns with their mission of experiential and project-based learning. Securing approval of the adjacent property owner, who is responsible for maintenance of the sidewalk, which is a prerequisite to activating this project, is actively being pursued. The green space and outdoor classroom will benefit not only the students, but also the staff, the neighbors, and the environment.
In addition to these exciting projects, the Arts & Beautification Committee has many other ideas in the hopper that will beautify our neighborhood and showcase our creativity.
To support these initiatives, we were thrilled to receive a $25,000 grant from the city, which we reported in this Newsletter earlier this year. This grant will help us cover some of the costs of materials, equipment, and artist fees for our current and future projects. But we are still in need of additional funding.
Since these projects require a significant amount of resources and funding, which we cannot secure without your help, we are launching a fundraising campaign for the UpDoNA Arts Initiative. This will support our current and future endeavors to make our neighborhood more beautiful, vibrant, and sustainable. We will share more information about this campaign soon, so please stay tuned and spread the word. Fundraising for the UpDoNA Arts Initiative is coming soon.
The committee is always looking for volunteers. We have two volunteer opportunities: (1) serving on the Executive Committee, which is charged with strategic planning and fostering new projects, and (2) the General Committee, for those who are interested in the work we do, but only have time to devote to specific tasks as they become identified by the Executive Committee. If you are interested in joining us, sign up on the UpDoNA website or email saltripodi@updona.org.
Attribution for photos: Jackie Bunce
