Since its inception nearly 15 years ago, 40 West Arts District was conceived as an agent for change—and not just for art’s sake. The aesthetic benefits of art are clear through the ways it activates our human visual, auditory, and sensory pathways.
But art plays a critical role in the health and vitality of communities as well. It increases social and civic engagement, encourages local neighborhood exploration, drives visitors to local businesses, and is part of an overall formula to catalyze change.
Art as a community connector is often undervalued or misunderstood. But through critical partnerships and incredible projects, 40 West Arts and its partners, the Lakewood–West Colfax Business Improvement District and West Colfax Community Association, have transformed neighborhoods and empowered residents, all while fostering more joy and more beauty in the area. Here are some of the projects and people who embody the way art builds community, fosters connections, and increases vitality.
What does it mean to bring art to affordable housing?
Dozens of residents gathered at Creekside Senior Living Residences in the spring of 2024, alongside City of Lakewood elected officials, 40 West Arts, and West Colfax Community Association leaders, and many others to celebrate a new art installation called Whee, a 16.5-foot kinetic, interactive sculpture created by artist Mike Lustig.
Creekside is one of many properties built and operated by Metro West Housing Solutions, Lakewood’s housing authority and a recognized leader in providing affordable housing. Affordable housing is a critical need in Colorado, as it is in most metro areas. This dearth of affordable housing leads to an increase in homelessness. But the intersection of art and affordable housing might not be readily apparent. Why prioritize these types of projects at all?
Artist Mike Lustig truly says it best: “Being entrusted to create Whee for the seniors at Creekside allowed me to explore the intersection of public art and community building. By creating an artistic focal point of community identity and interaction, Whee invites residents and the public to come together through conversation and play in a natural way.”
Through the generous support of Metro West Housing Solutions and their partner at 40 West Arts, we’ve contributed to a large-scale artistic landmark that links diverse groups and cultivates social connections. Having become friends with a number of Creekside residents, I have witnessed how art in their community has positively impacted their everyday experience. I feel deeply grateful to have been involved in this project.
Metro West Housing Solutions CEO Tami Fischer and her team share this vision, which is why they have committed to numerous artistic projects in their developments across Lakewood and beyond. “Art is transformative,” comments Fischer. “Adding this remarkable installation to our Creekside community not only adds beauty to the courtyard, but also brings joy to our residents and guests—and will do so for years to come.”
How can art elevate younger generations?
The renowned scientist Albert Einstein once said, “The value of education is not the learning of many facts, but the training of the mind to think.” Creative projects embody this ideal because they allow students to think and process in many different ways. Art has no right or wrong answer, but only the opportunity to find creative connections and solutions.
Arts education is declining in schools across the United States, but organizations and municipalities have stepped up to fill the void. In 2023, alongside essential partners like the City of Lakewood and the Lakewood–West Colfax Business Improvement District, 40 West Arts hosted its first free, four-session summer camp to students in surrounding neighborhoods. During multiple four-hour sessions, students learned a variety of artistic mediums through hands-on activities, including sculpture, theater, fine art, and more.
And more. All instruction, materials, off-site field trips, and even snacks & meals are 100% free to participants. One critical partner came on board almost immediately: Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD), an arts and design college located along Pierce Street right in the heart of the arts district.
With its history of service and the impressive architectural presence on campus, RMCAD has a foundational understanding of the importance of arts education, articulation, and the ways art can help foster creativity, curiosity, and community. Through summer programming, workshops, and events, RMCAD has become a dependable partner in engaging young artists and encouraging them to push beyond their current limits.
As RMCAD President Fritch states, “Witnessing the joy and excitement of these young artists as they explore their creativity and shared passions has been nothing short of inspiring to us. These summer programs are near and dear to the heart of the college, as RMCAD started more than 60 years ago with founder Philip J. Steele hosting children’s art classes for the local community. RMCAD is and continues to be a place of inspiration and discovery.”
Our campus and its many events are open to members of the community, and we are actively working on new opportunities to engage the creative spirit of all who wish to visit RMCAD.
How can art enhance non-traditional spaces?
As shopping habits change drastically, American malls are working to entice customers to their physical spaces in new and novel ways. Art can become a driver to these large indoor environments, encouraging patrons to more fully explore their facilities and breaking up long stretches of walking with unexpected pops of color and positive messaging.
Colorado Mills in particular has cultivated a multi-year program that showcases indoor murals, temporary window treatments, and sculptures to the delight of shoppers. And in late 2023, the mall welcomed an incredible new addition: Prismajic, an immersive art experience with a long-standing history in the metro Denver region.
While a shopping mall might not seem like an ideal place to open a walk-through art experience, Prismajic joins the likes of Meow Wolf (located in shopping centers in both Las Vegas and Dallas) and Seismique (an arts experience housed in a strip mall in Houston). 40 West Arts and the Lakewood–West Colfax Business Improvement District functioned as connectors in bringing Prismajic to Lakewood’s West Colfax corridor.
Both organizations are keenly aware of the need to have unique, forward-thinking businesses nested within the community to drive visitors and attract attention. In fact, co-owners Jenn Mosquera and Eric Jansen brought with them not only a passion for arts and community, but also a vision to create a Colfax Creative Corridor along the Westside that will eventually link Meow Wolf, 40 West Arts District, and Prismajic alongside other willing creative partners.
Eric states: “Working with 40 West Arts has been an absolute pleasure. They do an amazing job of supporting the arts, whether that’s through the First Friday program, special programming, or a myriad of other ways. The team is always enthusiastic about creative ideas and are very proactive in finding ways to support Prismajic and other artists. They’re a magnet for creativity and are constantly adding energy and resources to the arts ecosystem.”
Throughout the West Colfax region, passionate local businesses and enthusiastic creative organizations are working behind the scenes to expand and accelerate the concept of a Colfax Creative Corridor.
Where does art, business, and personal growth align?
Art projects beautify an area, but they can also create new pathways for personal evolution and foster long-term relationships with individuals who then expand their civic engagement and community connection across multiple channels.
2024 artist in residence Zaida Sever is an example of how this pipeline works. Through a new partnership with Belmar Shopping Center, Zaida began to engage with the district and then further her connection to the corridor in meaningful ways. Zaida speaks to this saying, “As an emerging artist eager to prove my passion and work ethic, I was a dedicated follower of 40 West artist calls for years leading up to the Belmar Artist Showcase (a 2023 project that hired 14 local artists to paint ground murals throughout the complex).
Because of my history and district-wide relationships, I was able to secure a visual story of a mother and daughter enjoying a day of shopping. [The artwork], seen on page 35, Spree, embodies both my own favorite memories of those moments, as well as a celebration of the Black, Queer experience. This piece offers a lot of depth and authenticity.”
Through creative projects, Belmar achieves multiple important community objectives.
They provide fairly-paid projects to artists, fuel the local creative economy, and drive visitors and online engagement to the shopping district. But equally important, these initiatives also activate civically-minded individuals who then further the vision of both the district-wide commercial center and the arts district itself.
As one of the 2024 Artists in Residence (Di Garrett and Jasmine N. Maldonado) illustrate so powerfully, Zaida has gone on to host mural and sidewalk installations, highlighting women and delivering multiple free-of-charge workshops at Metro West Housing Solutions properties.
When 40 West Arts is able to partner with private entities, it expands the district’s ability to deliver on-site arts programming, stretching community reach exponentially. Additionally, Zaida and her counterparts become valuable long-term advocates for Belmar, 40 West Arts, and its partner organizations, and the City of Lakewood. Making the endeavor a “win” for all involved.
Who benefits when public art is prioritized?
Public art is an equalizer, bringing creativity and color to a community free of charge. While the benefit to residents is immediately clear, so too are the ways in which public art helps local small business owners to thrive.
Ward 1 Beautification Project is an example of how public art can be utilized to increase economic activity and local engagement. This initiative, through the City of Lakewood, provides funding to businesses located in Ward One along Colfax Avenue to beautify their properties utilizing public art. Golden Music was a recent recipient of this funding, with artist John Dropliz executing an expansive 2,300 square foot mural on the East facing wall of the building.
More recently, Mandi Gaschani, the owner of Moosehill Cantina, located at 11970 West Colfax Avenue, took part in the program. Through Mandi’s work, she acknowledges the incredible impact this artwork has had on her business saying, “We are extremely honored to have our building at Moosehill Cantina selected to be a part of the Ward One Beautification program.”
The whole process was incredibly smooth and easy. 40 West Arts reached out to us and thought our building would be a great fit. The team at Stanley Creative (lead artist, Christian Stanley) was great, and made the process enjoyable and hassle-free. Their talent is unmatched.
They drove their truck loaded with all their tools and paint all the way from Florida and worked around the clock from 5am some days until 10pm, taking breaks when small rain showers were happening. It was amazing to see it come together step-by-step into a beautiful masterpiece. The amount of attention our building has received is truly amazing, especially when the sunlight hits it while driving down Colfax Avenue.
There isn’t a day that goes by that someone doesn’t stop in our parking lot just to take photos of it. We want to express our gratitude to the City of Lakewood for helping improve the appearance of our community. As a small business, we were greatly affected by Covid-19, and this opportunity has not only given us a much-needed facelift, but also the attention and exposure we needed. We are so grateful.”
Art projects like these amplify the voices of small businesses and have a direct impact on patronage. It isn’t just residents who benefit from these projects, but the businesses themselves, and by extension their owners, employees, and families.
Art plays a substantial and essential role in community health and vitality. It activates spaces and stimulates civic engagement and economic growth. Art is a mechanism for community connection and social change.
40 West Arts and its partners, the Lakewood-West Colfax Business Improvement District and West Colfax Community Association, are deeply attentive to the ways in which art, economy, local business, and resident interest intersect. Art is transformational, both in the beauty it brings to spaces and neighborhoods, and through the countless individuals it touches in deep and memorable ways.
