Back in 1948, a group of European-inspired artists known as "The 15" shook up the Denver Artists Guild with abstract work far removed from the Western-themed art Coloradans typically get associated with. This week, that group is getting recognized at the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art with an exhibit called 15 Colorado Artists, expounded upon by Westword art critic Michael Paglia in "Shifting Gears," his review from this week's issue. For a little taste of what he's talking about, here are a few pieces from the show you shouldn't miss.

John Billmyer (1912-2001, American) Untitled c. 1950 oil on board 250 x 30 1/2 inches WoodwardHall Collection

J. Richard Sorby (1911-2001, American) FIN FLASH 1957 pyroxylin (lacquer) on board 23 7/8 x 35 7/8 inches Collection of Kirkland Museum

Moritz Krieg (1903-1971, American) Untitled (Surrealist Painting) late 1940s oil on canvas board 14 x 18 inches Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Harlan J. Berk

Vance Kirkland (1904-1981, American) FORM IN SPACE 1948 watercolor and gouache on paper 22 1/4 x 31 inches Listed in the original 1948 catalog. Collection of Kirkland Museum

Angelo di Benedetto (1913-1992, American) CIRCULAR ABSTRACT 1958 oil on canvas 28 x 36 inches Private Collection

Louise Emerson Ronnebeck (1901-1980, American) Untitled (Probably After Arnold's Funeral in 1947) late 1940s oil on tempera on board 15 3/8 x 19 inches Same media and sparse application of paint as painting shown in original 1948 catalog. Col

Duard Marshall (1914-2010, American) Untitled (Reds' Coup) 1947 oil on burlap 18 x 24 inches Similar theme to the lithograph "Red Dust Storm" shown in the original 1948 catalog. Collection of Kirkland Museum

Paul Kauvar Smith (1893-1977, American) NOCTURNE C. 1950 oil on board 20 x 32 inches WoodwardHall Collection

Eo (Eva Lucille) Kirchner (1901-1991, American) THE SEEDS WERE SOWN date unknown serigraph, 1/6 16 3/4 x 22 3/4 inches Collection of Augustana Lutheran Church

Frank Vavra (1892-1967, American) REVOLT c. 1955 enamel on board 40 x 30 inches Collection of Kirkland Museum

William Sanderson (1905-1990, American, b. Latvia) THE LOVERS 1947 oil on canvas 23 3/4 x 19 1/2 inches Similar image to painting shown in the original 1948 catalog. Collection of Kirkland Museum

Mina Conant (1910-1999, American) CHILDRENS' VISION - RESURRECTION date unknown oil on canvas 60 x 36 inches Collection of St. John's Cathedral, Denver

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Marion Buchan (1895-1971, American) SOLITUDE c. 1948 plaster 23 x 7 x 5 1/2 inches Sculpture almost identical to drawing shown in the original 1948 catalog. Holly Buchan Collection

Don F. Allen (1909-1993, American) NATURE BOY c. 1948 ceramic 10 1/2 x 5 x 4 inches Collection of Don F. Allen,  Jr.