New Year, New Art

The concept of new beginnings in a new year follows form at local art galleries, too, particularly at the co-ops, where early January brings out celebratory group shows as well as solos with a special twist. For several years now, Denver’s oldest cooperative, Spark Gallery, has been opening the year with a big showcase for gallery members, and 2014 is no different: The annual Spark Gallery Members’ Show goes up today for a run through January 26, featuring work in every medium under the sun from 26 talented member-artists. And the adjoining CORE New Art Space is given over entirely to abstract painter Lola Montejo, who is graciously sharing the walls with her young art students from Foundations Academy Charter School, in a move that truly engenders the aforementioned spirit of the new year.

“I want to give my students the opportunity to exhibit their work in a professional setting and experience seeing their art up in a gallery,” Montejo explains. “My students inspire me every day; they are the most creative people I know.” Lola Montejo: New Paintings runs through January 19.

Both shows open today, and the tandem galleries — open Thursdays through Sundays and attached at the hip at 900 Santa Fe Drive — will host receptions from 6 to 9 p.m. on January 3 and 10. For more information, go to sparkgallery.com and corenewartspace.com.

Thursdays-Sundays; Fri., Jan. 3, 6-9 p.m.; Fri., Jan. 10, 6-9 p.m. Starts: Jan. 2. Continues through Jan. 19, 2014