This weekend, do not miss the Denver Modernism Show! This fabulous event at the National Western Complex begins with the VIP gala on Friday night from 5-7, and then continues until 10pm with the preview party. This is a highlight of the year for me, and I can’t wait for the vintage fashion show on Saturday at 2. There are so many great booths featuring art, furnishings, glass, low-tech…you name it from the mod perspective, and it is there! Don’t miss the Miss Moderism Pageant, plus:

Tiki Lounge / Art Gallery / Sunday Car Show / Vintage Airstreams

Live Bands / Entertainment / Lectures / and Loads More!

Online voting has begun for Mod Livin’s Best in Show event to benefit the Foothills Animal Shelter. In years past Mod Livin’ has donated thousands of dollars to multiple Denver-based charities thanks to the auction. This one-of-a-kind event features marvelously decorated Eero Aarnio Puppies which are slated for auction the night of the Best In Show event (Mod Livin’ parties: always illustrious, occasionally notorious). Please follow the link and vote for the Eero Aarnio puppy decorated and sponsored by Colorado Homes & Lifestyles magazine to win as Online Champion! The fabulous party and live auction is on August 13 at 7:30 pm at 5327 E Colfax Ave, Denver. See you there!

You can even visit my first place French Apple and Peach pies. I’ll be posting all of the winning recipes next month on our web site.

I’m sure going back, so see you at the Fair!

If you missed the Inside & Out section of the Denver Post last weekend, or just want to see more, Elana Ashanti Jefferson wrote about local author Sandra Dallas’ historic Victorian home, and the story is online here. This ties in to CH&L, as art director Elaine St Louis was interviewed for her part in color selection and helping Sandra with furniture placement and hanging her wonderfully eclectic art collection. AND, to top it all off, Sandra’s new novel, The Bride’s House, which was inspired by this beautifully restored home, is now on sale…you can pick up your copy at the Tattered Cover. Sandra will be at The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum on June 5th, signing copies of her book.

In its 21st year, the Taste of Vail is the nation’s premier spring food and wine festival, held at several venues throughout North America’s favorite ski resort. During the annual three-day event, upwards of 5,000 people  “tasted the Vail Valley lifestyle” which showcases Vail’s world-famous resort village set against dramatic mountain vistas. Weather: gorgeous. Food: fantastic. Wine: perfect. Should have been there!

Created as a “one-stop shop” for consumers and designers, Lulu’s Furniture & Decor offers a fabulous selection of classically hip furniture and accessories at reasonable prices.  Their sofas, chairs, tables, pillows, candles, picture frames, glassware and dozens of other items come from many different manufacturers, including several that are uncommon in the Denver area.

Don’t have anything interesting to do? Over 100 Colorado artists from all over the state are shown at the Heritage Fine Arts Guild of Arapahoe County’s annual juried  “This is Colorado” exhibit. This show features a broad cross-section of subject matter and styles, and is a great place to start or expand your collection, as all work is for sale. The nearby new Mangia Bevi Cafe is open from 7:30am to 2pm, serving up illy coffee, Neapolitan pizza, pasta and hot sandwiches that will make you swoon.

Be sure to stop by before March 24 to see this extensive show.

The MADDEN Museum of Art

6363 South Fiddler’s Green Circle, Greenwood Village, CO 8011

303.763.1970

The MADDEN Museum of Art features changing exhibitions as wall as John & Marjorie Madden’s personal collection. The Collection of art encourages interdisciplinary examination and continually asks the question: how do artists create and convey meaning?

theMADDENmuseum.org
Open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m – 5 p.m

The Denver Art Dealers Association (DADA) and art collector Dana Cain are launching a new type of art lecture series this month – where the consumers have the final say. The new monthly Art Collectors Summit series lets the collectors talk about what draws them to a particular artist, why they collect the work, how it’s displayed in their homes, and how living with the artist’s work impacts their lives and their environment.

“Typically, galleries host an Artist’s Talk,” says Cain. “Or the gallery owner will talk about the artist’s work, which can be enlightening. But I’m more interested in how the artwork impacts its audience. What makes someone buy a piece of art? What flips the switch? And, how does living with lots of original art impact a collector’s life?”

The monthly Art Collectors Summits will each focus on a different artist, and feature a small group of his/her collectors, each talking briefly about why they collect the artist. Much of the time will be devoted to audience questions, and collectors will show how the work is displayed in their homes with slide presentations.

The series launches Friday, January 21, 7pm at Space Gallery, 765 Santa Fe Drive, with three collectors of Mark Penner Howell’s work. Penner Howell, who’s current Space Gallery show, “The New Normal” opened earlier this month, has won numerous local awards, including Westword Best of Denver’s 2010 “People’s Choice” for Best Solo Show.

The event coincides with the Art District on Santa Fe’s monthly “Third Friday Collectors Preview” night, and many other galleries will be open in the District.

Admission is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For information, contact Space Gallery, 720-904-1088.

bang’s rotating gallery is featuring  new paintings by Kelton Osborne, a local architect who has developed a fresh and inspiring career as fine artist. I love his contemporary works…they play well with my personal design aesthetic; mid century + contemporary, as well as many other styles… Also currently
on display are kinetic sculptures and collages by Scott Sturgis. The show will hang through February.

bang! serves up delectable morsels like their goat cheese and potato croquette with lemon buerre blanc & red pepper relish for lunch and dinner Tuesday – Saturday. Brunch is offered Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.  in the historic Highland neighborhood.View bang’s menu at www.bangdenver.com.