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Top Murals In Denver

Part of the beauty of living in such a diverse and rapidly growing city is the vast amount of public art that is on display in the most unusual areas. Just one stroll through Denver and you’ll see many different public murals, all depicting everything from historic scenes in history to modern-day television shows. You can appreciate this art for free and enjoy the fact that it helps to create the beauty and cultural diversity of this amazing city. Here are just a few of great public murals on display in Denver.

Murals at Denver International Airport
8500 Pena Blvd.
Denver, CO 80249
(303) 342-2000
www.flydenver.com

Some of the most fascinating (and most controversial) murals are found within the walls of the Denver International Airport. DIA is home to several beautiful pieces of art that have been the subject of a lot of debate. The murals all seem to depict images of the future and seem to have some sense of foreboding found within them. However, artist Leo Tanguma has explained that his murals, which are titled “In Peace and Harmony With Nature” and “The Children of the World Dream of Peace” were meant to showcase man-made environmental destruction that comes together with humanity to live in peace and heal nature.

RelatedTop Spots for Public Art in Denver

The Trapper
Civic Center Park
101 W. 14th Ave.
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 861-4633
www.civiccenterconservancy.org

The Trapper is a mural by famous artist Allen Tupper True and is found in the colonnade of the Greek Theater at Civic Center Park. The beautiful mural, which is showing its age, depicts a man on a horse holding a rifle, with a dog running along his side. Artist Allen Tupper True was an illustrator who specialized in the American West. He was born in Colorado Springs in 1881 and he completed his first work in 1908 in Denver. You can also find his works at Colorado National Bank, Central City Opera House and the Brown Palace Hotel.

Cowboy Playing Guitar
William Matthews Gallery
2540 Walnut St.
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 534-1300
www.williammatthewsstudio.com

It's the classic image of the Old West, the cowboy with his hat pulled down over his eyes, strumming a guitar.  While this mural is fading now, it reigns as a symbol of Denver's history as a cow town. Found outside of William Matthew’s Studio, you can get several prints by this brilliant local artist inside the gallery or you can enjoy just driving past this beautiful work of art.

Related: Top Iconic Works of Art in Denver

David Choe
13th and Champa St.
www.davidchoe.com

If you are a fan of street art, then you may already be familiar with the work of David Choe. This acclaimed artist was recently in Denver working on a film when he took some time to leave some street art by the footbridge at 13th and Champa. With permission from the city, Choe painted several images promoting people form his current show, “Thumbs Up!” which documents his travels from San Francisco to Florida, without any money.  Choe painted portraits of people from earlier seasons on the Denver footbridge. You don't need to be a fan of the show to appreciate the colorful and whimsical paintings.

Confluent People
Little Raven St. and Speer Blvd.
Denver, CO 80202
www.artsandvenuesdenver.com

Denver-native Emanuel Martinez is an award-winning artist who has contributed some amazing art to the city of Denver. His piece titled "Confluent People," found at the underpass of Little Raven Street and Speer Boulevard, is a huge mural that captures the many different people who helped to build Denver into the city you know and love today. In addition to people, fish, fowl, wildlife and the arts are depicted in the mural, all showcasing the diversity of Denver. It's an organic combination of city and nature, just like Denver itself.

Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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