Six Arty Things to Do and See This Weekend in Denver

While waiting for the galleries to re-fire after a busy January and February First Friday, you can enjoy art this weekend while being educated, going to art parties and even making and taking your own X-rated valentines. Here’s where to connect with art this weekend in Denver.

Fieldworks Lecture: Kristin Stransky and Brandon Siscoe
Vicki Myhren Gallery, 2121 East Asbury Avenue, University of Denver
Thursday, February 8, 6 to 7 p.m.
Fieldworks, currently on view at the Myhren Gallery through February 18, offers a different take on the typical faculty show by filtering work through the lens of personal research utilized in creating art. Two artists — Kristin Stransky, who creates textiles and wearable art out of hexagonal 3-D-printed links, and Brandon Siscoe, who incorporates unrelated found and orphaned objects into sculptural settings — will speak about their work at the second of three artist lectures scheduled in conjunction with the exhibit. Last on the slate is a talk by Jennifer Ghormley and Scott Montgomery on February 14 at noon; visit the Myhren Gallery website for information.

Pachucos y Sirenas Artist Panel
Museo de las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Drive
Friday, February 9, 6 to 9 p.m.
Have a sit-down with the artists behind the Museo’s newly opened exhibit Pachucos y Sirenas at this Friday-night panel discussion, and learn more about the effects of the zoot-suit subculture of the ’40s on Mexican-American culture at large, and how it continues to influence Chicanos in present-day society. The mostly local cross-section of participating modern Chicano artists — Antonia Fernandez, Jerry Vigil, Justin Favela, Daniel Salazar, Carlos Frésquez and Josiah Lopez — will put history in perspective at this free event.

Charles "CLS" Schriver, Abstract Curiosity
Spectra Art Space, 1836 South Broadway
Opening Reception: Friday, February 9, 6 to 10 p.m.
Free, RSVP at Eventbrite
An underground hero of Chicago’s street-art scene, Charles "CLS" Schriver is known for leaving distinctive abstract found-wood compositions on city walls here and around the world. Schriver, who believes that “art is not meant to last forever, and it only remains in time for a fleeting moment,” will preside over his first exclusively indoor-art exhibit at Spectra on February 9; in addition, he’ll sign copies of his second self-published book, also called Abstract Curiosity, at the opening. Meet the artist and enjoy live music by Green Hit and drinks by Crafthouse Cocktails at the opening.

Art & Soul 2018
Art Students League of Denver, 200 Grant Street
Saturday, February 10, 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Admission: $75/$125 VIP
The ASLD’s Art & Soul 2018 fundraiser will be all about the artists, beginning with a stunning collection of donated local works that will be up for bidding. But the place will be swarming with more than artwork: Art activities include wandering through a room-sized Assemblage City installation by collaborators Mark Friday and Deborah Jang, an open studio with Quang Ho, a printmaking demo by Deborah Haberkorn, a dueling-artists competition and more, augmented by live music, food and drink.

Velvet Valentines & Nasty Ink
Cabal Gallery, 1875 South Broadway
Saturday, February 10, 6 to 10 p.m.
$10 donation suggested for craft projects
Celebrate the sexy side of Valentine’s Day early at Cabal Gallery’s Velvet Valentines & Nasty Ink, a combined adults-only evening showcasing art by Erica Day and a DIY craft table where you can make a racy velvet painting or create your own Valentine porn. Supplies are first-come, first served. Go and have a ball. Have two balls.

The FENCE Denver, Exhibition Slideshow/Artist Talks
The Black Buzzard, 1624 Market Street
Sunday, February 11, 1 to 4 p.m.
The FENCE, a photographic outdoor installation on a fence encircling the former Market Street Station site, opened last fall and remains on view through April. But here’s a chance to hear from some of the Colorado photographers whose work is included on the block-sized construction-fence gallery and get a closer view, without having to fight the elements and downtown traffic. Brenda Biondo, Katie Kalkstein and Carl Bower will speak, and a slideshow will zoom in on FENCE highlights, while you enjoy local brews at the latest project from Oskar Blues.

See Westword’s calendar listings for more art events and openings.