The Big Three-Oh

In 1979, Saddam Hussein became president of Iraq, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, Iranian radicals seized the American embassy in Tehran, the Pittsburgh Steelers won the Super Bowl for the second year in a row, Mr. Ed died, and Denver’s first cooperative art gallery was born. For thirty years now...

By Mark Dragotta

January 1, 2009

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In 1979, Saddam Hussein became president of Iraq, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, Iranian radicals seized the American embassy in Tehran, the Pittsburgh Steelers won the Super Bowl for the second year in a row, Mr. Ed died, and Denver’s first cooperative art gallery was born. For thirty years now — since the days of the Village People and Jimmy Carter — the changing members of Spark Gallery, 900 Santa Fe Drive, have worked together to make the Denver art community a more interesting place.

In response to its big three-oh, Spark has decided to throw itself a little show-and-tell bash with the 30th Anniversary Show. Today through January 24, enjoy a diverse cross-section of the current artists who make up Denver’s first art co-op. “There are about thirty of us,” says member Roland Bernier, “and for the birthday show, we’re going to put up paintings, sculptures and mixed media that we’ve all done in the last two years. With all the work and support our members put in, we thought it would be the proper thing to do.”

An opening reception will be held next Friday, January 9, at 6 p.m.; for more information, go to www.sparkgallery.com or call 720-889-2200.
Jan. 30-Feb. 21, 2009

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