For The Living
2026-01-26 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Denver) | Boedecker Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
For centuries, Humankind has grappled with the tension between the two extremes of our nature: Dehumanization and Empathy. Darkness and Light. From the genocide of Indigenous peoples of the western hemisphere to the horrors of the Holocaust to the genocides in Bosnia and Rwanda we realize that numbers make us numb. The more who die, the less we care. But, in 2019 another journey from darkness to light called “Ride for the Living” offered a way forward. Originating at the universal symbol of absolute evil (Auschwitz-Birkenau) 250 cyclists from 12 different countries came together to re-trace the WWII liberation path of a single 10-year Holocaust survivor across the Polish countryside to reach a destination symbolizing our common humanity: Krakow, Poland.
Alternating between the intimate story of this one Holocaust survivor and the startling similarities among individuals in all genocides, these parallel journeys bring to life how we can grow our empathy to encompass millions. And how the American educational system has long overlooked—and in 2025 now threatens to whitewash–these stories and the insights we need to prevent future genocides. Inciting the urgent conversation: When will we stop building monuments for the Dead and get busy re-humanizing the Living? When will we finally say NEVER AGAIN and truly mean it? (Marc Bennett & Tim Roper, 2024, USA, 1:57, NR)

The Voice of Hind Rajab | Jan 28 - Feb 1
2026-01-28 16:30 - 18:15 | Boedecker Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
Jan 28 – Feb 1
January 29, 2024. Red Crescent volunteers receive an emergency call. A 6-year old girl is trapped in a car under fire in Gaza, pleading for rescue. While trying to keep her on the line, they do everything they can to get an ambulance to her. Her name was Hind Rajab. The film recreates real events using actual audio recordings of the phone call. This Venice Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize winning film from twice Oscar-nominated filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania is already being listed among the top 5 likely Oscar nominees for Best International Feature. (Kaouther Ben Hania, 2025, Tunisia, 1:29, NR)

The Choral | Jan 28 - Feb 1
2026-01-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Boedecker Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
Jan 28 – Feb
As war rages on the Western Front, the Choral Society in Ramsden, Yorkshire has lost most of its men to the army. The Choral’s ambitious committee, determined to press ahead, decides to recruit local young males to swell their ranks. They must also engage a new chorus master, and despite their suspicions that he has something to hide, their best bet seems to be Dr. Henry Guthrie (Ralph Fiennes) – driven, uncompromising, and recently returned from a career in Germany. As conscription papers start to arrive, the whole community discovers that the best response to the chaos that is laying waste to their lives is to make music together. (Nicholas Hytner, 2025, UK, 1:53, R)

The Mariposa Collective: Resonance
2026-01-30 19:30 - 21:00 | Gordon Gamm Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
Artists of the Mariposa Collective explore the theme of RESONANCE through shadow theater and a variety of dance styles including House, Voguing, Contemporary, Modern, Salsa evoking images, memories, and emotions in RESONANCE. The performance features new work by choreographers Riley Bartlett, Cassy Clark, Angela Gumieniak, Alli Jones, Jeny Jones, Tanja London, Jesús Muñoz, Celia Grannum Perarnaud, Bridget Ryan, ShawnT Stone, and Betsy Tobin.
Following the success of Emergence (2024) and Momentum (2025), RESONANCE continues the Mariposa Collective’s mission to build artistic community through collaboration and creative risk-taking.

The Cathedral of New Emotions | Jan 30
2026-01-30 20:30 - 21:30 | Boedecker Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
Jan 30
A psychedelic odyssey through animation with visuals that’ll melt your mental highways, THE CATHEDRAL OF NEW EMOTIONS is a surreal German film that’s truly out of this world. The story follows a group of Berlin intellectuals and stoners as they escape from the terrors and troubles of 1970s Earth in their giant hand spaceship. As time passes and ennui sets in, the zonked-out crew decides to search for the man who convinced them to flee to the stars in the first place. Thrillingly original, gorgeously stylized, and recently made available after years of obscurity, this marvel is ready to takey ou on a journey to places beyond imagination. (Helmut Herbst, 2006, Germany, 1:00, NR)

Local Theater Company: Bad Books | Feb. 5 - 14
2026-02-05 19:30 - 21:30 | Carsen Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, Colorado, 80302, United States
TICKETS
Bad Books By Sharyn Rothstein
Directed by Nick Chase
A concerned mother. A dedicated librarian. The quietest place in America turns into the battleground for a fiery debate about parenting and censorship that starts a chain of events no one saw coming.
Sponsored in part by Mark & Jamie Ragan on behalf of the Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company (BETC) and co-sponsored by Diana & Mike Kinsey
Co-produced by Curious Theatre Company and Local Theater Company, this world premiere production is part of a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere. Curious Theatre Company engages the community in important contemporary issues through provocative modern theatre. Learn more HERE.
Come Together Events

Preview:2/5 – Denver Actors Fund Night
Saturday, 2/7 – Post show convo w/Betty
Sunday, 2/8 – Librarian Panel Matinee
Sunday, 2/8 – Both shows PAY WHAT YOU WILL
Friday, 2/13 – Community Meal
Saturday, 2/14 matinee – Out night
Saturday, 2/14 evening – GAL-en-tine’s Day 2for1

Family Concert: Curious Case of Symphony City
2026-02-07 14:00 | Gordon Gamm Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
Help Detective Nelo outwit and thwart musical mob boss Divisive Dana, who’s keeping every genre in its own lane, in this family-friendly musical mystery! With remixed classics, audience clues, and a message that music is better together, this interactive concert blends hip hop, classical, and more into one harmonious adventure.
About Boulder Symphony & Music Academy Curiosity Concerts
Our Curiosity Concerts create an interactive and educational experience that will inspire and entertain young and old alike. These original programs use trivia, humorous characters, and enriching stories to engage, entertain, and educate the audience throughout the performance. Not to mention the awesome power of live symphonic music to illuminate our message. At the end of these concerts, some participants might get the opportunity to conduct the Boulder Symphony!
Curiosity Concerts are engaging, entertaining, and educational from beginning to end and are perfect for kids, families, and music lovers of all ages. We strive to ignite the spark of curiosity in every inner child that comes to our concerts. And costumes are encouraged!

Life: A Delightful Show About Fear and Grief
2026-02-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Gordon Gamm Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
Embark on a thought-provoking experience that will leave you feeling connected and inspired.
Life: A Delightful Show About Fear & Grief portrays the infinite need to honor the challenges and move through the pain served up by life, while maintaining connection, meaning, and love.
Blending comedy, storytelling, and spoken word poetry, the show explores the awful, hilarious, and utterly human experience of fear, grief, and ultimately acceptance. With humor and heart, this show offers a fresh lens on these timeless and difficult emotions.
Fear and grief are not just inevitable — they are sacred rites of passage. A catalyst for transformation and resilience. And they belong to all of us. This performance invites you into that shared space and encourages a path toward healing. Topics include addiction, loss, love, health, dementia, and more. Join us and experience the power of connection, compassion, and community.
“So many beautiful moments; they had the full attention of every single individual lucky enough to have been there to experience greatness in writing, character, and humility.” – Suzanne D.
”The show was nothing like I’ve seen before. There was laughter, joy, and tears at different times and each artist had a unique style of delivery that made the show engaging, real, and raw. If you are curious or intrigued, definitely make the time to see it. You will be happy you did!” – Jean D.
“I was honored to witness such a comical, beautiful, gut-wrenching, and passionate show! This was some amazing work. Thank you for putting your heartfelt stories out there.”– Leah D.
“Your performance was awe-inspiring. The entire performance of the 3 of you was one of the most moving emotionally I have ever experienced. From the depths of sorrow to the heights of laugher it flowed seamlessly and effortlessly. Ya’ll had the audience every second. Not a dry eye in the room. Brilliantly organized and choreographed. Your ending with the message of hope and love was more than perfect. Wow, I’m still enthralled.” – Bruce M.
Performing: Katie Mason, Elaina McMillan, Andrea Sodergren
Andrea Sodergren is a head strong powerhouse. Her drive for success is indisputable as evidenced by winning athletic competitions, conquering businesses, and jet-setting across the country for her wildly successful stand-up show, Moms Unhinged. But once she finally slows down and gets quiet, the emotions begin to flow. Deep love pours through as she remembers her late father, navigates post-divorce dating, and embraces empty nesting. This show has helped Andrea find her tender side allowing her to practice strengthening her softness and vulnerability.
Elaina McMillan is all heart. The kind of fluttering, optimistic, sweet heart typically found in the innocence of a child. This heart is her blessing to this world and her challenge to face, as she unfolds into the fear and grief associated with slowly losing her mother to Alzheimer’s, navigating her son’s fentanyl addiction, and facing the new reality of a chronic illness. How can this hypnotist, belief coach, and comic make peace with pain when her tendency is to move away from it? Hear her journey as Elaina deepens in the trust that she can be with ALL of life and still keep her sweet heart open.
Katie Mason IS soul. She infuses depth and intention into everything she does because she cannot be any other way. As a Poet Laureate and psychotherapist, Katie embodies a commitment to both spiritual and personal growth. When she shares herself, she brings a courageous openness to grief along with a grounded, authentic presence. Her gift to this show is to create space for others to explore and embrace their own truth as she shares hers.

BETC: Fireflies
2026-02-14 14:00 - 16:00 | Gordon Gamm Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
A Valentine’s outing featuring champagne, roses, and Matthew Barber’s romantic comedy, Fireflies.
Eleanor Bannister is a retired school teacher and a model of respectability. She lives a quiet and lonely life until Abel Brown comes to town. A handyman and drifter, the smooth-talking Brown does more than fix Eleanor’s roof. The town begins to talk. Can Abel be trusted?

Black Futures in Art Exhibition Opening Reception
2026-02-20 17:00 - 20:00 | Dairy Arts Center, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
On View Feb 19 – March 29 | Opening Reception: Feb 20, 5 – 8 PM
Fourth Annual Exhibition at the Dairy Arts Center | Curated by Adderly Grant-Lord
Now in its fourth year at the Dairy Arts Center, Black Futures in Art is a sweeping, annual exhibition presented in celebration of Black History Month and in ongoing recognition of Black artistry and excellence year-round. Curated by Adderly Grant-Lord, the exhibition brings together Black artists from Colorado and across the United States, highlighting a broad range of practices, voices, and visions shaping contemporary art today.
This year’s exhibition is grounded in the theme “The excellence beneath our feet lives in our bones,” a poetic meditation on legacy, inheritance, and resilience. The exhibition looks to what has been buried, erased, or overlooked in both past and present, while honoring the enduring knowledge, creativity, and excellence that persist across generations. Through visual art, the exhibition considers how memory, land, body, and ancestry carry stories forward, and how art becomes a conduit for community, reflection, and dialogue around the past, present, and future.
Black Futures in Art creates space for both celebration and critical engagement, inviting audiences to witness how artists navigate history, imagine possibility, and cultivate collective understanding. The exhibition is accompanied by a robust slate of public programming, including film screenings, artist talks, a lecture series, and hands-on workshops, further extending the exhibition’s commitment to conversation, education, and connection.

BETC: Brooklyn Laundry | Feb. 20-Mar. 15
2026-02-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Grace Gamm Theatre, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
Regional Premiere
From the Oscar-winning, Tony-winning, Pulitzer-winning writer of Moonstruck and Doubt comes a new play about three sisters, a guy who operates a laundromat and the random tricks life plays on them for better or worse.
Tragic and funny by turns, this deeply romantic story will remind you what is important in life and the sorrow and joy of fully embracing adulthood.
Like many of Shanley’s plays, the story pits the quest for love and happiness against the demands of family obligations.

Musical Vanguards at the Dairy presents Taarka
2026-02-22 16:00 - 18:00 | Gordon Gamm Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
“Their voices sound fantastic together…Enion is a marvelous violin player, and David is her equal on mandolin and guitar.” -No Depression
Taarka seamlessly fuses brilliant instrumental chops with songwriting of great depth and creativity, cooking up musical “sustenance that stays with you long after you’ve pushed away from the table.” Adventurers through the many landscapes of music and true world travelers, veterans of 1000-year floods and veggie oil tour buses, David (voice, mandolin, guitar, and octave mandolin) and Enion Pelta-Tiller (voice, 5-string violin) spin stories and melodies that delight, inspire, and move all who listen. Now joined by their son, 17 year old bass prodigy Aesop Pelta-Tiller, Taarka embodies the most cohesive and entrancing version of their music.
Taarka and its members have performed with members of Old and In the Way, the Grateful Dead, Phish, and String Cheese Incident, and shared stages with Linda Ronstadt, The Decembrists, Darrel Scott, John Cowan, Yonder Mountain String Band, Peter Rowan, Darol Anger, Joe Craven, ALO, Keller Williams, Danny Barnes, Steve Kimock, Taj Mahal, Widespread Panic, The Samples, and Aquarium Rescue Unit, Kaki King, Rob Wasserman, Tony Furtado, The Motet, Dan Bern and The Everyone Orchestra.
TICKETS

Boulder Ballet: Rebels and Innovators | Mar. 6-8
2026-03-06 19:00 - 20:30 | Gordon Gamm Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
Image by Amanda Tipton Photography | FB- Amanda Tipton-Photographer | IG – @amandatiptonphotography
TICKETS
Innovation doesn’t happen by playing it safe. Rebels and Innovators dives into the fearless spirit of creation, where breaking rules and challenging norms isn’t just encouraged—it’s essential. This dynamic program features bold, boundary-pushing works by renowned choreographers Amy Seiwert and Stephanie Martinez, alongside rising voices Ching Ching Wong and Ben Needham-Wood—their mentees and creative protégés. Through the power of mentorship and the rebellious drive to redefine tradition, these artists prove that to be an innovator, you have to think differently, take risks, and leap beyond the expected.
DONATE
Please consider making a donation to Boulder Ballet. Your support helps us create powerful performances and meaningful educational programs that connect, inspire, and uplift. With your generosity, we can continue bringing world-class dance to audiences of all ages across Boulder and beyond. Your gift ensures the arts continue to grow, evolve, and inspire future generations.

Daughtering
2026-03-13 19:30 - 21:30 | Carsen Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, Colorado, 80302, United States
TICKETS
In “Daughtering,” three generations of women navigate living, dying and the dead when they are called home to appease unruly spirits. Sixteen to seventy-something, each carries her own idea of what it means to be a daughter: caregiver, rebel, keeper of the stories, breaker of the cycle. Over the course of three charged days and nights, the daughters navigate relationship, grief, and the business of the old house that contains them, alive in its own way with memory and an impressive population of mice. What unfolds is a darkly humorous, emotionally resonant exploration of identity, inheritance and the universal work of becoming who we are, despite (and because of) where we come from. The play culminates in DIY ceremony and catharsis – as tender, fierce and complicated as daughtering itself.

COmpass REsonance: Norwegian Wood (season finale)
2026-03-21 16:00 | Gordon Gamm Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
NORWEGIAN WOOD with COmpass REsonance
What unfolds when a pristine Scandinavian landscape inspires music, brought to life by
one of the most innovative and exhilarating string ensembles?
COmpass REsonance, known as “Boulder’s CORE,” presents an unforgettable performance reflecting themes of climate, environment, and human psychology, exploring orchestral and chamber music inspired by Nordic Romanticism. Audiences will experience evocative works by the poetic Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg and Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, interwoven with a bouquet of varied gems ranging from folk-inspired to J.S. Bach and including a totally new version of The Beatles’ much adored Norwegian Wood.
COmpass REsonance (CORE) is a conductorless ensemble uniting acclaimed musicians from across the U.S. alongside Colorado’s finest talents. CORE’s artists, comprising concertmasters, principal orchestral players, and distinguished quartet performers from Asia, Europe, and North America, gather in Boulder to present innovative musical experiences that transcend time and culture.
“COmpass REsonance… has unveiled a bold 2025–26 season as it completes its evolution from the 44-year-old Boulder Bach Festival. The announcement marks the first full season under its new name and mission, following a legal rebrand in January 2025. The transition reflects a decade of artistic expansion led by pianist Mina Gajić and violinist-conductor Zachary Carrettín, who took the festival’s helm in 2014. Under their direction, programming has grown to encompass five centuries of music, improvisation and cross-disciplinary collaborations. The group’s mission is “to enrich lives with performances of music from across time and cultures and to create distinct learning opportunities for musicians and audiences.”
CORE’s season launch follows a landmark $2 million gift… which will support performances, tours, recordings, educational initiatives and the ensemble’s annual BachFest Week dedicated to Baroque repertoire.” -Daily Camera

20th Anniversary of the Fly Fishing Film Tour
2026-03-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Gordon Gamm Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
The Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) is proud to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2026, marking two decades of unforgettable stories, breathtaking landscapes, and a community bound by a passion for fly fishing. This milestone year promises to be a landmark event, as the tour kicks off with a fresh collection of the finest fly fishing films from across the globe.
This year’s lineup dives deeper than ever, spotlighting wild places, inspiring conservation stories, and the dedicated individuals who live and breathe fly fishing. Whether you’re a lifelong angler or new to the sport, the 2026 tour delivers a cinematic journey that’s sure to cast a lasting impression.
Presented by: Skwala, Yeti, Costa

BVSD Annual High School Art Exhibition Opening Reception
2026-04-02 17:00 - 19:00 | Dairy Arts Center, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
On View April 2 – May 3 | Opening Reception: April 2 , 5 – 7 PM
For the BVSD Annual High School Art Exhibition, this year’s theme is “The Third Eye,” in line with this year’s PEEK fundraiser theme. The prompt was shared with BVSD educators in September, giving teachers and students an entire academic year to explore the idea in the classroom. The theme has served as a launching point for sustained educational inquiry. The exhibition opens with a public reception and, in partnership with Boulder Arts Week, will feature a student-led artist talk for the first time.
The Third Eye invites student artists to explore the connections between art, spirituality, and the unseen. Centered on the idea that art can be more than representation, the theme positions creative practice as a portal into liminal spaces, forgotten rituals, and deeper ways of knowing.
Across art history, artists have turned to spiritual and mystical traditions as sources of transformation—from Hildegard of Bingen’s illuminated visions and Georgiana Houghton’s trance drawings to the abstract languages of Hilma af Klint and Wassily Kandinsky. In this lineage, students ask: How does art help us access the unknown? How can ritual, myth, or meditation be part of creative practice? What does it mean to “see” beyond the visible?

Boulder Opera Company: Der Rosenkavalier by Strauss | Apr. 16-19
2026-04-16 19:00 - 21:30 | Grace Gamm Theatre, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
Love, laughter, and a little bit of chaos… Viennese style.
Join Boulder Opera for a fresh, intimate take on Der Rosenkavalier, a romantic comedy by Richard Strauss that blends heart, humor, and stunning music.
Set in the glittering world of 18th-century Vienna, the story follows a complicated love triangle: a noblewoman, her younger lover, and a sweet young bride-to-be. There’s a cheeky disguise, a silver rose, and plenty of laughs along the way all with gorgeous melodies and rich emotions.
The opera is sung in German with piano accompaniment, and we’ll guide you through the story with English narration, so you’ll never miss a beat. Music Director Brandon Matthews leads an incredible cast in this elegant yet accessible production.

Storybook Ballet: Mary Poppins | Apr. 17-19
2026-04-17 18:30 - 19:30 | Gordon Gamm Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
Join Boulder Ballet School for Storybook Ballet as we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of this beloved tradition with a performance inspired by the timeless magic of Mary Poppins! Expect a heartwarming performance filled with chimney sweeps, kites, and a spoonful of imagination. With graceful choreography, playful storytelling, and just the right dash of Mary’s famous magic, it’s a performance sure to delight audiences of all ages and remind us all that with a little imagination, anything is possible.

Ars Nova Singers: RUBYFire - Shared Visions | Apr. 25-26
2026-04-25 19:30 - 21:30 | Gordon Gamm Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
Ars Nova Singers is pleased to present its signature project, Shared Visions, with RubyFIRE. Shared Visions is a unique interdisciplinary collaborative project featuring works by Colorado visual artists, poets, composers, and performers, coordinated and presented by Ars Nova Singers. The community of artistic inspiration and culminates in the premiere performances of four new choral works, performed by Ars Nova Singers.

BETC: Mary Jane | May 1-24
2026-05-01 19:00 - 20:30 | Grace Gamm Theatre, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
TICKETS
Regional Premiere
A single mom’s life is turned upside down by her child’s chronic illness. Abandoned by her husband, she faces reality with a sunny determination that borders on denial.
A story of a mother’s unbounded love and the makeshift circle of women who support her, Mary Jane is a beautiful testament to endurance and human kindness in the face of tragedy.
The New York Times calls Mary Jane “the most profound and harrowing of all Amy Herzog plays…a character study and everywoman story.”

Set The Table Exhibition Opening Reception
2026-05-15 17:00 - 20:00 | Dairy Arts Center, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
On View May 15 – Aug 2 | Opening Reception: May 15, 5 – 8 PM
Set the Table is a group exhibition spanning all of the Dairy Arts Center’s gallery spaces, exploring the dinner table as a central site of cultural, ecological, and artistic discourse. The table emerges as a nexus of home and heritage, agriculture and environment, family and domesticity, culinary arts, sustainability, capitalism, and food scarcity—revealing how deeply food systems shape our daily lives, identities, and futures.
Grounded in both local and global perspectives, the exhibition considers food as more than nourishment: it is memory, labor, ritual, power, and connection. With a particular focus on Colorado’s agricultural landscape, Set the Table highlights the intrinsic links between land stewardship, environmental responsibility, and the ways communities gather, cook, and share.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a robust series of public programs, including three immersive dinner- and food-based events, each connected to a key theme or artist within the exhibition. These include a Native food event in partnership with Creative Nations, a farm-to-table gathering, and an additional thematic meal, alongside educational workshops, talks, and community programming. The Dairy will also partner with the nonprofit Mad Agriculture to spotlight artists who are regenerative farmers, culminating in a dedicated gallery wall and event that brings together art, agriculture, and sustainable practice.
Participating Artists: Clara Nulty, Desert Art Lab, Carly Owen Weiss, Mad Agriculture, Trent Bailey, Brandy Coons, Janine Brown, Soroya Latiff, and Stephanie Maria.

Boulder Ballet: Radiance | May 15-17
2026-05-15 19:00 - 20:30 | Gordon Gamm Theater, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
Image by Amanda Tipton Photography | FB- Amanda Tipton-Photographer | IG – @amandatiptonphotography
TICKETS
Celebrate renewal and radiance with contemporary masterpieces by Jorma Elo and Nicolo Fonte. Known for their inventive style and ground breaking contemporary works, these two choreographers are some of the most sought after dance-makers in the world today. Featuring Boulder Ballet’s exceptional dancers, this program promises an unforgettable evening of cutting-edge choreography and radiant performance.
DONATE
Please consider making a donation to Boulder Ballet. Your support helps us create powerful performances and meaningful educational programs that connect, inspire, and uplift. With your generosity, we can continue bringing world-class dance to audiences of all ages across Boulder and beyond. Your gift ensures the arts continue to grow, evolve, and inspire future generations.

Off the Page Exhibition Opening Reception
2026-08-14 17:00 - 20:00 | Dairy Arts Center, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
On View Aug 14 – Nov 1 | Opening Reception: Aug 14, 5 – 8
This group exhibition explores how contemporary artists engage with the written word, literature, media, and storytelling, examining language as both subject and material. Through practices spanning photography, sculpture, installation, and mixed media, the exhibition asks: What does the word mean today, and how are artists using language as a creative tool, a source of inspiration, or a physical presence within their work?
The exhibition considers the power of words to shape identity, transmit knowledge, and build community, while also reflecting on the evolving role of language in a media-saturated world. It highlights the importance of literature, freedom of expression, and storytelling as vital forces that connect people across generations, cultures, and backgrounds.
Accompanying the exhibition is a rich slate of educational and public programming, developed in partnership with local libraries, the school district, and the University of Colorado. Programming will include author talks, workshops, and collaborative initiatives with nonprofit organizations focused on literacy and reading, creating multiple entry points for audiences of all ages to engage with language, ideas, and creative expression.
Participating artists: Mariel Reed, Nathan Storey Freeman, Bug, Josh Hughes, Dagny Chika, Dawn Siebel, Leona Lazar, Sarah Tenney, Samuel Austin, Lisa Berley, Jacqueline Moulton, Austin Baskett, and Russell Schnell.

The Human Animal Exhibition Opening Reception
2026-11-13 17:00 - 20:00 | Dairy Arts Center, Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
Nov 13 – Jan 31 | Opening Reception: Nov 13, 5 – 8
This exhibition explores how conceptual artists use imagery of animals, creatures, and “the other” to reflect on human nature and the breadth of human experience. Through large-scale installations and sweeping conceptual works, the exhibition examines the symbolic power of the nonhuman as a mirror through which social, political, and psychological realities are revealed.
Focusing on the figure of the animal—and the idea of the “human as other”—the exhibition interrogates themes of aggression, dominance, fear, and control, questioning the often false or ironic divide drawn between humanity and the natural world. What we project onto animals and imagined creatures frequently exposes our own instincts, anxieties, and contradictions, revealing how closely intertwined human behavior is with the forces we claim to stand apart from.
Serving as a launching point for dialogue around American legacy, the exhibition opens space for conversation on politics, history, and contemporary cultural and social issues. By situating animal imagery within broader conceptual frameworks, the works challenge viewers to reconsider narratives of power, violence, and belonging, and to reflect on what it means to be human in relation to the world we inhabit.
Participating artists: Jessica Teckermeyer, Michael Brohman, Tricia Waddel, Xan McKenna, Bailey Anderson, Creative Nations
