Colfax Canvas Festival Brings Four New Murals To East Colfax

Photo courtesy of Colfoax Canvas | Anna Charney

For the last four years, Colfax Canvas has brought art to the forefront in the East Colfax neighborhood, and now, over 30 large-scale and world-class murals cover buildings all over the Aurora Cultural Arts District. The murals provide a sense of place for residents and visitors, acting as a reflection of the area’s diverse cultural identity. This year, four new murals will be added to the community by a group of 10 artists.

Photo courtesy of Alek Seballes

Artists are selected by a DEI-focused committee made up of local business owners, residents, artists and sponsors. This year, nine Colorado artists and one Atlanta-based artist were selected from a record 130+ applications to collaborate in teams of two or three, but all agree that the art they are creating together is for the community.

“Some of the best things we can do as mural artists is to listen and reflect. Walk around and find ‘what is the heartbeat of the community.’ Then you can have something more meaningful,” said first-time Colfax Canvas artist George F. Baker III. “Once I finish a wall, it’s not mine anymore. It belongs to the community.”

Photo courtesy of Colfax Canvas | Colfax Canvas Block Party 2023

For this year’s festival, these four businesses will receive murals between September 2-14:

• Mango House (10180 E. Colfax Ave.) | Artists: ILL.DES, Anna Charney, A.L. Grime

• Scorpion Tax (1408 Del Mar Parkway) | Artists: George F. Baker III, Isaac Lucero, Sofi Rami

• DIA Market (1408 Del Mar Parkway) | Artists: Danielle SeeWalker, Cante Eagle Horse

• Vintage Theatre (1468 Dayton St) | Artists: BiRD, Dreamscape

Photo courtesy of Colfax Canvas

Margaret Norwood, executive director of the Vintage Theater, has wanted to participate in the festival in a larger way for many years, previously providing block party entertainment. After recently purchasing the building from the city, she requested a mural as a way to create a more welcoming space.

“Any time you have public art in a space, there’s something identifying and grounding in it,” Norwood said. “Time was taken to beautify the space and support artists. It says a lot about your love of place which is then felt by the community.”

A neighborhood block party runs from noon to 5 p.m. on Fletcher Plaza on Saturday, September 14. The event will celebrate the completion of the murals and also offer an opportunity to see and support businesses that represent the Aurora Cultural Arts District.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Vrai

Here’s some of what attendees can except from this free event: 

• Food Court curated by La Victoria Healing Kitchen with food concepts from arts district chefs

• Kombi Keg Front Range mobile bar with beers and non-alcoholic brews on tap from all area breweries

• Artisan market from Bonfire Event Co. with about a dozen local art-focused vendors

• DJed music coordinated by Bruce Trujillo of Manos Sagrados

• Guided walking tours in partnership with Art in Public Places

• Art district activities for kids and families to be announced

More information is available at www.ColfaxCanvas.com