Denver, CO – July 7, 2021 – The Clyfford Still Museum (CSM) moved two of its free July events from virtual to in-person. The Museum will now host the AbEx Olympics at 6:30 p.m. on July 15 at Leven Deli Co. and the family program Touch This Art! at 10:30 a.m. on July 24 in the Clyfford Still Museum outdoor forecourt.
“Because we are now able to host programs and events onsite, we decided to move two of our July events to be in-person,” said Nicole Cromartie, Clyfford Still Museum Director of Education and Programs. “The AbEx Olympics and family program this month fit a more hands-on format, and we’re thrilled to interact with people directly. Our virtual programs continue to draw large audiences, and we’ve reached people all over the world, so we will continue to find ways to engage our online audiences.”
AbEx Olympics will feature a free, interactive night of games with an Abstract Expressionist twist. Participants will test their creativity and team up with fellow art-lovers to compete for bronze, silver, and gold medals. The Museum designed the games for anyone with a love of Abstract Expressionism to play; no experience required. Space is limited, and registration is required. This event will take place at Leven Deli Co. and the first drink is courtesy of CSM, with additional refreshments available for purchase. Denver-based artists Sarah Palmeri, Frankie Toan, and Derrick Velasquez will coach participants on the games and crown the winners.
The family program Touch this Art! will celebrate the Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with a free hands-on artmaking adventure for children and families. Designed by high school junior Rishika Kartik, this artmaking activity will engage participants of all ages in abstract art, Clyfford Still’s painting technique, and the multisensory process of painting. Using textured paints, families will create their own tactile artworks. Tactile art refers to any three-dimensional piece that can be fully experienced through touch and is accessible to people with vision loss. Much of Clyfford Still’s paintings were tactile due to their textured, abstract brushstrokes. Abstract painting focuses on the process of creating art and using your imagination rather than resembling anything in the real world. Though visitors cannot touch Clyfford Still’s paintings, participants will emulate his process to create abstract, touchable paintings of their own.
Kartik is committed to using art as a catalyst for justice, equality, and change. Over the last three years, she has worked with the teachers of students with visual impairments throughout Colorado to create accessible art classes for students who are blind and visually impaired. Register online to attend the program in person. The Museum will also release a five-minute pre-recorded video online for the program at the same time.
The Museum will host its July SCFD Free Day on July 25 to honor the ADA Anniversary. Pre-registration is not required to attend the free day.
The One Painting at a Time Virtual Talk with Janet Bishop at 6:30 p.m. on July 29 will remain online streaming live on Zoom and YouTube.
About the Clyfford Still Museum
Designed by Allied Works Architecture to display the revolutionary art of one of the 20th century’s greatest artists, the Clyfford Still Museum opened in November 2011 in Denver’s Golden Triangle Creative District. Considered one of the most important and mysterious painters of the 20th century, Clyfford Still (1904-1980) was among the first generation of abstract expressionist artists who developed a new and powerful approach to painting in the years during and immediately after World War II. The Museum’s collection represents more than 93% of the artist’s lifetime output. As the steward of Still’s art and legacy, the Museum’s mission is to preserve, exhibit, study, and foster engagement with its unique collections; generate outstanding exhibitions, scholarly research, educational and other cross-disciplinary programs that broaden the definition of a “single-artist” museum; and be a gathering place for the exploration of innovation and individual artistic endeavor. Connect with the Clyfford Still Museum on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or at clyffordstillmuseum.org.
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