DAVA student Jenifer Z., 13, experiments with paper

This exhibition explores the creative process and the importance of experimentation in art.

DAVA Youth used unusual techniques and materials to discover new ideas. Artists Rosane Volchan O’ Conor and Gary Parkins add dimension to the exhibition, which opens to the public from May 11^th to July 13^th with the opening reception on Friday May 11^th from 4 to 8 pm. Both artists will talk about their works during a closing reception on Friday July 13^th from 6 to 8 pm. DAVA (Downtown Aurora Visual Arts) is located at 1405 Florence St., one block south of East Colfax in the Aurora Arts District.

DAVA is a site of constant experimentation in all art media for young artists ages 3 to 18. The exhibit highlights the importance of constructive play and problem solving as an important part of skills needed in the 21^st century. Through a series of playful art projects, many students went beyond their own creative blocks. Final projects by DAVA students include a series of works made with black and white paper; a group of sculptures made with available materials such as nuts, twigs, paper clips, magazine paper and melted crayons; and a paper quilt of one minute drawings created from random arrangements of objects and microscopic images.

Guest artists in the exhibit show that experimentation and play are essential to the creative process for all ages. Influenced by music and biology, Rosane Volchan O’ Conor displays abstract organic patterns in her installations and prints. A new installation of neon lights, paper, drawings, metal and ceramic objects will hang in the center of the gallery. Gary Parkins designs custom machines to create works with ink pens, hot glue or magnetic particles. Some of the resulting ink drawings and magnetic sculptures will be on display.

This exhibit is free and open to the public from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday or by appointment. For more information, please e-mail gallery@davarts.org.

Downtown Aurora Visual Arts is a nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to strengthen the community through the arts with youth as its primary focus. For more information about our programs, visit www.davarts.org, or call DAVA at 303 367 5886. 

We are proud to announce the relocation of the Vintage Theatre to the arts district located at 1468 Dayton St !

They will open with The Joy Luck Club “Between every mother and daughter there is a story that must be told”  on April 27^th and will run through May 20^th—You won’t want to miss their show and for more information go to  www.vintagetheatre.com or call 303-839-1361.

Great News!! The state of Colorado has designated the Aurora Arts District as an Emerging Creative District as part of the state’s newly created Colorado Creative Districts program.  We are a 16-block area located along the historic commercial corridor from Clinton to Geneva streets on East Colfax Avenue.  In 2011, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper signed legislation that encourages the formation of Creative Districts in communities.

The designations are designed to attract creative entrepreneurs and artists to communities to infuse new energy and innovation, leading to enhanced economic and civic capital in these communities. At the same time, these districts create hubs of economic activity, resulting in revitalized and beautified areas that are more appealing places to live, visit and conduct business. They also provide a focal point for celebrating and strengthening a community’s unique identity, and showcase cultural and artistic organizations, events and amenities.

The state’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade, through the Colorado Creative Industries division, administers the program.

For more information, visit www.coloradocreativeindustries.org.

Aurora, CO –  The Aurora Fox presents local playwright Terry Dodd’s AMATEUR NIGHT AT THE BIG HEART.  (directed by Terry Dodd and Tony Award Nominee Randy Myler ) from April 20 through May 13, 2012 at the Aurora Fox (9900 East Colfax, Aurora, CO 80010).

About the show:  The Big Heart Bar and Grill is a rural bar in Pueblo, Colorado where a bevy of colorful characters can always be found on a Saturday night.  For instance, Jack Casperson plays the “world’s oldest bus boy”, Ernie who performs with his dummy, Horace, on Amateur Night.  And, on this particular Saturday the most loyal patrons are bemoaning the opening of a competing country & western disco across town .  These die-hards open their hearts, come to terms with past mistakes, and take a united stand (against a loose-tongued guy in a chicken suit) in this funny, down-to-earth romp with real people who will remind you of folks you know — maybe even yourself.

Directed by Terry Dodd  (the play’s author and author of several other plays including, Home By Dark, Goodnight, Texas, Closer to Heaven, and more) and 2 time Tony-Nominated Randy Myler (known locally for his work at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Randy’s directing credits include:  Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, New Victory, B.B. King’s in NYC, Geffen Playhouse, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Coconut Grove Playhouse, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Cincinnati Playhouse, Royal George, Virginia Stage, Missouri Rep and more.

Randy has also penned several musical revues including Hank Williams: Lost Highway, It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues, Low Down Dirty Blues, Mama Hated Diesels and Fire On The Mountain: The Music Of The Coal Mines (all co-authored with Dan Wheetman)).

PRODUCTION STAFF –  Stage management by Lindsay Sullivan and Jen Orf, Lighting Design by Shannon McKinney, Costumes by Sharon McClaury, Sound Design by El Armstrong and Props by LaVerna Pierce-Sierra.

PRODUCTION DATES –
April 20, 21, 27, 28, May 4, 5, 11, 12 at 7:30 pm;
April  22, 29, May 6, 13 at 2:00pm.

TICKETS –
Adults – $24/ Students  and Seniors – $20/ ($18 for groups of 10+)
Call: 303-739-1970 or visit: www.AuroraFox.org

SPECIAL EVENTS –

Opening Night After Party– Friday, April 20th
Eat, drink, mix and mingle with cast/crew/staff and fellow Fox attendees following the opening night performance.

Beer Tasting Party  - Saturday, April 21st 
Stick around after the show for an opportunity to learn about and sample craft beers

Super Senior Sunday – Sunday, April 22nd 
Seniors get in for just $16. Hot beverages are on the house.

Free Beer Friday– Friday, April 27th
This is a show about a bar after all. Come a few minutes early and have a beer on the house.  (If you don’t drink, we’ll hook you up with a soda or water).

Small business Night – Saturday, April 28th
 Small business owners are encouraged to join us ½ before curtain for networking

What is the Aurora Arts Festival ? The Arts Festival is a one-day event celebrating visual and performing arts. The Aurora Arts Festival gives patrons the FREE, rare and special opportunity to meet and talk with artists, enjoy live musical performances and artist demonstrations, and entertain families with interactive art activities. The Aurora Arts Festival is an official event of the Aurora Arts District.

Information available at www.auroraartsdistrict.com

Festival Hours Saturday, June 9, 2012      11am-7pm

Parking  There is parking located in the Plaza parking lot, and street parking available.

Admission FREE! There will be vendors with items and food purchase. Methods of payment are decided by individual vendors.

There will be vendors with items and food purchase. Methods of payment are decided by individual vendors.

Demo Artists:

Raku Artists: Walt Weinberg, Rick Kleinen, Jon Kalczycki

Pottery: Molly Jones, Alberto Veronica

Students from Venture School Art Group

Bayan Tree Whittier Drum Project

Music:

Je T’aime, Charles Milo Trio, Steel Strings Band, Sammy Dee

Next Workshop:

April 14, 2012, 1-3pm

-Must be 21 or older to attend. Valid photo ID required.

-Must reserve spot 5 days prior.

The exhibit Powerful Brains addresses prevention and healthy life choices through artworks by DAVA youth. The exhibit opens to the public with a reception on Friday March 9^th from 4 – 8 pm and runs through April 27^th, 2012. DAVA (Downtown Aurora Visual Arts) is located at 1405 Florence Street, one block south of Colfax in the Aurora Arts District.

DAVA youth present the results of their research into the prevention of substance abuse every year through an exhibit of multi-media art work.  Middle and high school student projects concentrate on the use and abuse of drugs, tobacco and alcohol, while elementary school students take on nutrition and exercise. The resulting exhibition is designed to educate and inform the community through the creative ideas of young people.

This year, middle school students in DAVA’s Job Training Programs researched the impact of drugs on brain development. Weeks of dedicated study culminated in a series of artworks which includes: two large paper maché sculptures reflecting the effects of recreational marijuana on the brain; a life size figure covered with tar that describes the effects of cigarette smoke on others; and a mixed media installation that depicts the effects of inhalants on the brain.   A separate installation tells the stories of addiction to prescription drugs and alcohol in the lives of popular idols. Each piece will be accompanied by educational facts.

Elementary students in DAVA’s Open Studio focused on nutrition.  They learned about the new portion plate and guidelines designed by USDA-United State Department of Agriculture in the fight against obesity, heart disease, diabetes and much more. They designed ceramic plates with 5 sections using stencils. The youngest students collaged food images from grocery advertisement into a “Yummybook.” Advanced High school students in the Open Studio created art projects of their choice ranging from a large painting about the effect of alcohol abuse to wire sculpture of figures doing small things each day to stay healthy.

All of DAVA’s exhibits  are free and open to the public from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday or by appointment. For more information about the exhibits email gallery@davarts.org

Downtown Aurora Visual Arts is a nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to strengthen the community through the arts with youth as its program focus. For more information about our programs, visit www.davarts.org,, or call DAVA at 303 367 588.