40 West Arts Commemorates Ten Years
A Decade to Create, Connect, and Celebrate
40 West Arts Gallery opened in June, 2012.
40 West Arts Board Chair and self-proclaimed ‘old timer’ Bill Marino remembers the days when a core group of supporters gathered weekly behind the newly opened 40 West Gallery.
“We would pull up cinder blocks, tree stumps, whatever was around and sit in a circle, some folks with a beer or a glass of wine. We talked, laughed, and just imagined what could be.”
Back then, there was no Pasternack’s Art Hub, no 40 West Studios or 40 West ArtLine. But that original group of champions, alongside countless community members, business leaders, and City organizers sparked the movement for an arts district along Lakewood’s West Colfax corridor… and that spark would slowly build into a fire.
40 West Arts celebrates its ten-year anniversary in July 2021. The ‘little arts district that could’, as it’s often referred to, gained numerous accolades in that period including awards from Westword Magazine, Colorado Business Committee for the Arts, Americans for the Arts, and others. Galleries moved in, coffee shops and new restaurants opened, and businesses relocated to be in the heart of the district or along the 40 West ArtLine.
“40 West Arts’ commitment to serving our community remains just as true today as it was then.”
Visitors celebrate art at the inaugural 40 West Arts First Friday Art Walk.
In 2021 the movement continues. 40 West Arts Executive Director Liz Black confirms, “40 West Arts is stronger than ever. Our mission is still the same but our area of reach has grown substantially. Our programming, partnerships, and commitment to artists and creatives continues to be at the core of what we do. So much time has passed but 40 West Arts’ commitment to serving our community, providing a place that’s equally friendly for kids and adults, and advocating for artists and creatives, remains just as true today as it was then.”
40 West Arts is proud to serve Lakewood, Jefferson County, and the surrounding West Metro communities through the arts. Patrons can look forward to programming throughout the Spring and Summer including events, art installations, and more in celebration of a decade. Here’s to ten years in existence and another hundred to come!
Check out just a few images below of all we’ve achieved in the last 10 years. It’s just a slice, but it’s a good one.
Here’s to a decade!
