New art installations tell the story of the LGBTQ+ movement.
Students from the East High School National Arts Honor Society install art on Colfax Avenue in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City that launched the modern era fight for LGBTQ+ rights. The project is in conjunction with the Colfax Ave Business Improvement District (BID) and The Center on Colfax.
Colfax is proudly inclusive; many in the LGBTQ+ community and The Center on Colfax make it a welcoming place for everyone. Colfax is home to Charlie’s Nightclub, X BAR, and the last remaining lesbian bar in Denver, Blush & Blu — and all are the reason that the Pride Parade marches down Colfax each June.
“The LGBTQ+ community is instrumental in forging the Colfax character,” says Colfax Ave BID Executive Director, Frank Locantore. “It’s a real treat to be part of an art project that teaches students about the 50-year effort for civil rights and then tells those stories with art publicly displayed along Colfax.”
On the fourteen power boxes providing the electricity for the lamp posts between the State Capitol and East High School, students designed large format collages on vinyl stickers that tell the story of the LGBTQ+ movement since the police raids at Stonewall nightclub in 1969 and subsequent riots that served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement around the world.
“The students at East High did an incredible job researching and portraying some of the key struggles LGBTQ+ people faced in the 50 years since Stonewall,” says Rex Fuller, Vice President of Communications & Corporate Giving at The Center on Colfax. “We are very proud to share these images with the community just in time for our celebration at Denver PrideFest.”
Students in the National Arts Honor Society at East High completed a similar project with the Colfax Ave BID, the non-profit advocacy group WalkDenver, and a local artist as part of a Vision Zero art project in 2018.
“The opportunities to be able to collaborate with the Colfax Ave BID allow us to engage with the community, build relationships, and be able to display our personal vision,” says East High student Nell D. Nell and the other students worked with local artist Adrienne Norris of Afro Triangle Designs on this year’s project.
“Everyone at The Center on Colfax is so excited to see these amazingly creative art pieces go up on utility boxes around our neighborhood,” Fuller said. “This is a wonderful and creative opportunity to share the history of Stonewall on this important anniversary.”
The students designs are displayed on the pedestrian side of the boxes (see photos below) and The Center on Colfax has a special 50th Anniversary logo design on the street side of the boxes. The Center on Colfax along with fourteen local businesses and Colfax friends sponsored the artwork including X BAR, Charlie’s Nightclub Denver, Irish Snug, The Squire Lounge, Argonaut Wine & Liquor, The Corner Beet, Rooted Heart Yoga & Wellness, Herbs & Arts, Pando Holdings, The Drop, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, Uptown on the Hill, Mariposa LGBTQ, and Bob and Jan Hampe.
Smaller versions of the students’ art will also be on display at The Center on Colfax and photos will be posted at lgbtqcolorado.org/Stonewall50 once the install is complete. Special thanks to all of the volunteers who spent their day installing the art!
