By Design

Downtown Aurora Visual Arts, which, like its Platte Valley counterpart, PlatteForum, pairs at-risk youth with local artist/mentors to collaborate on special projects, often takes the practical bent when planning its artistic partnerships. Such is the case with Designs for Life, a new exhibit opening September 11 with a reception from...

By Susan Froyd

September 10, 2009

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Downtown Aurora Visual Arts, which, like its Platte Valley counterpart, PlatteForum, pairs at-risk youth with local artist/mentors to collaborate on special projects, often takes the practical bent when planning its artistic partnerships. Such is the case with Designs for Life, a new exhibit opening September 11 with a reception from 4 to 8 p.m. Featuring an array of functional design works from professionals and students alike, it offers a forward-looking glimpse into just how far the kids at DAVA can go, with a little push from the experts, who include some of the area’s most adventurous designers, such as (Shike) Design; David Larabee and Dexter Thornton of DoubleButter; Derrick Sjodin; Jason Belaire, IDSA; and industrial design students from Metropolitan State College of Denver.

Along with the whole functional shebang, the opening event will also include a screening of films by DAVA youth; on October 7, the gallery will offer a free evening of discussions about industrial and environmental design beginning at 6 p.m. Designs for Life continues through October 30 at DAVA, 1405 Florence Street, Aurora; visit www.davarts.org or call 303-367-5886 for information.
Sept. 11-Oct. 30, 2009

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Susan Froyd started writing for Westword as the "Thrills" editor in 1992 and never quite left the fold. These days she still freelances for the paper in addition to walking her dogs, enjoying cheap ethnic food and reading voraciously. Sometimes she writes poetry.

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