This October, explore the West through two new exhibitions at the Denver Art Museum (DAM). On October 17, The Masterworks of Charles M. Russell: A Retrospective of Paintings and Sculpture, jointly organized by the DAM and Gilcrease Museum, will go on view. The first major retrospective of Russell’s most important paintings and sculptures, the exhibition will include 60 major works in oil, bronze and mixed media as well as a selection of objects that portray the charismatic Western artist in his own words and images. The Masterworks of Charles M. Russell, on view October 17, 2009, through January 10, 2010, is included in general admission. Tours will be offered weekdays at 2 p.m. and weekends at 3 p.m.

Allen True’s West, a three-part exhibition featuring the work of Colorado artist Allen Tupper True (1881-1955), is presented by the DAM’s Petrie Institute of Western American Art, in concert with the Denver Public Library’s Western History and Genealogy Department (DPL) and the Colorado Historical Society (CHS). True’s artistic career included three distinct phases — as an illustrator, an easel painter and finally as a muralist. The DAM will highlight True’s work as an easel painter, featuring 13 oil paintings that reveal his stylistic development over a decade of work as a fine artist. Allen True’s West will be on view at the DAM, the DPL and the Colorado History Museum from October 1, 2009, through March 28, 2010. The exhibition is included in general admission to the DAM; admission to the DPL and CHM is free.

Embrace! will officially open on November 14, but several artists are already working to transform the Hamilton Building with works of art created specifically for the dynamic spaces. Featuring 17 new works in a range of media, Embrace! marks one of the largest exhibitions of site-specific commissions in a U.S. museum, including never-before-seen works from Katharina Grosse, El Anatsui, Shinique Smith, Matthew Brannon, Jessica Stockholder, Lawrence Weiner and Tobias Rehberger, among others.

As Embrace! takes shape, visitors have had the rare opportunity to see some of the artists—including Nicola López, Rick Dula and Katharina Grosse—creating their installations. Embrace! Insider Moments are announced several days in advance on the Museum’s website calendar and Facebook page. Alerts are also sent via Twitter and the DAM’s e-newsletter, Art Mail.

To find out about these installation insider moments, follow @denverartmuseum on Twitter, become a fan of the DAM on Facebook or visit www.denverartmuseum.org/signup to start your free subscription to Art Mail.

Untitled events taking a break

In March, the official 2010 Untitled event season will kick off with an evening focusing on Embrace! Throughout the winter, watch for offbeat Untitled programs. For more information and updates, visit untitled.denverartmuseum.org, become a fan on Facebook or follow Untitled on Twitter.

Create Playdates

Second Wednesdays, September-December, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Drop in on the second Wednesday of the month with your little ones (ages 3–5) to meet up with other tots and their grown ups for artmaking in Duncan Pavilion, story time throughout the Museum and scavenger hunts in the galleries. Every month has a different theme.

October 14: Bang                   November 11: Blob                 December 9: Stomp 

Playdates are included with general admission and no reservations are needed. For more information, contact Rebecca Levy at 720-913-0073 or rlevy@denverartmuseum.org.

New alliance for memorable events

The DAM and one of the city’s most celebrated chef/restaurateurs, Kevin Taylor, have teamed up in an exclusive catering agreement for on-site events that officially begins on October 1, 2009. The alliance will combine the freshest cuisine, the finest service, world-class art and the city’s architectural icon for events at the Museum, including weddings, corporate parties, meetings and special occasions. The blend of Taylor’s acclaimed cuisine and the DAM’s unique and distinctive spaces offer a memorable combination for events of all kinds. For information on booking event space or catering services, contact Brenda Carroll, damevents@denverartmuseum.org or 720-865-5171.

Bubbloo closing after Sept. 27 … and two new Hotspots will launch on November 14

A new artwork created for Embrace! will be moving into the second level space currently occupied by Bubbloo. Families will have the chance to enjoy Tobias Rehberger’s touchable interactive maze, on view there until the close of Embrace! on April 1.

Keep an eye out for two new Hotspots, debuting November 14. One is based on the Rupprecht Mathias Embrace! installation and will involve visitors writing their own words to add to his piece. The other is an “unplugged” Hotspot, in which a DAM staff member will roam the museum, seeking out families to engage in fun looking and imagining games.

When the Embrace! artwork by El Anatsui is installed in mid-October, there will be a new Africa Art Studio activity designed for adults. Using recycled bits of cardboard (coffee holders, coasters, beer boxes, etc) and brads, visitors will be encouraged to create their own El Anatsui-inspired “textiles.” 

Welcome back the 6th floor in October

The 6th floor in the Museum’s North Building, which has been closed while updates to the windows were made, will reopen October 10. Where light damage to the art was not an issue, windows have been uncovered; others have had scrims installed that allow visitors to look out while filtering harmful direct sunlight. These improvements restore some of architect Gio Ponti’s original architectural elements. When he designed the Museum’s North Building, which opened in 1971, Ponti envisioned the space alive with light. The refurbished windows will provide additional views of downtown Denver and the Rocky Mountains.

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