Looking Back at May is for Mexico

Exhibiting artist Eduardo Sarabia

At the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, May is for Mexico. Throughout the month, MCA Denver produces Huevos Revueltos, an exhibition and series of programs focusing on contemporary

Remembering Jake Adam York

In December of 2012, our community lost one of its most beloved contributors, Jake Adam York.

Please welcome new Curatorial Assistant Sonya Falcone

Recently, our former Curatorial Assistant Tricia Robson moved on to Google. Stepping expertly into the vacant role we have Sonya Falcone, formerly of Platform 5280- Biennial of the Americas. Sonya was so kind as to accept my request for an interview, MCA Denver-style.

If you were a fruit, which fruit would you be and why?

A clementine – they love winter and they have the coolest name.

I’ve noticed your cubicle is still a little bare. Guess you are too busy to decorate! If you could have any artwork for your desk, what would it be? Size doesn’t matter, we can get you a bigger desk.

Can we set up my desk in one of the Raphael rooms at St. Peter’s?

Name one of your favorite places in Denver, besides the museum of course. 

Little Man ice cream.

What would you like to be doing forty years from now? 

Living on a lake with a big garden and a great dane (the kind with cow spots).

Please talk about someone from elementary school you still remember.

My elementary school music teacher, Dr. McCaskill, was such a cool lady that the kids in my 5^th grade class would come to school an hour early for choir practice. Our performance of The Pirates of Penzance was unforgettable.

A Graphic Tour of My Desk

A GRAPHIC TOUR OF MY DESK
ALEX A STEPHENS / CREATIVE & PRODUCTION MANAGER

Welcome to a short tour of my desk, with some of my creative & personal inspirations. (L to R)

ELISA MCKNIGHT: a "Cancer Sucks" button that my mother gave me during her Chemo/Herceptin therapy. As she said, "Here, have this. Why the hell would I want it." She has been in remission for about 2.5 years. Yay!

HANK WILLIS THOMAS: an "I Like Dick" image pulled from a gallery ad for What Goes Without Saying. Thomas is a contemporary African American artist whose photographs were shown in the MCA Denver exhibition More American Photographs.

Design Within Denver

I caught up with Sandra Fettingis, who curated the MCA Denver trunk show Design Within Denver. Designers and studios involved include(d): Vital Industries, Bussard Design Studios, becky's 

buttons and things + Miss Guindon, MATTER, and Adam Sikorski (Coloradical).

MCA Denver Instagram Pic[k]s

MCA Denver is finally on Instagram! Here's Jesse (Program Producer extraordinaire) wading in taxidermy forms at the Jonas Brothers Taxidermy Studio. All for the sake of the September 21 opening: Adrian Ghenie and Dana Schutz. Follow MCA Denver on Instagram @mcadenver1485.

When Golden Girls Fleeced Black Sheep Fridays

Even though this season's series of Black Sheep Fridays has just begun, we thought we'd wax nostalgic on a moment from last year's "Art Basel Miami Denver" event. Black Sheep Fridays put out an open call for Golden Girls-inspired art by MCA Denver staff and volunteers, and museum visitors were given a coloring book of the best submissions. Here's a sample of some of our favorite results. We've also provided two blank sheets for your coloring pleasure. See you this Friday for Sommelier Pirates. 

MCA Goes Everywhere: Awards, Adam & Filthy Bunnies

• Ellen Bruss Design, the Denver design firm who creates MCA Denver's flyers and ephemera, wins an American Graphic Design award for their work on the Feminism & Co. flyer.

• Michael Paglia, of Westword writes a review of Continental Drift, the exhibition at MCA Denver which features the work of seven Colorado artists who each are exploring ideas of space.

• Sandra Fettingis, gifts buyer at MCA Denver, starts a new program highlighting the excellent local designers featured in the museum shop. As this Westword article points out, Design Within Denver showcases a new designer on the second and fourth Friday of every month.

• Looking for something to do on Friday night? The Denver Post suggests you visit MCA Denver's zany program Black Sheep Friday, which this season will feature Cosby Con – a drop-in Friday event featuring pudding pops, jello shots and a sweater contest.

• Just Vote. Art Prize Grand Rapids doesn't care about Barack or Mittens, they want you to Vote Art 2012. Michigan visitors can register to pick the ten winners of the 19 day exhibition. And while you are checking out the art, be sure to drop in on Saturday, Sept. 15 to hear MCA Denver Director Adam Lerner speak about Art Fitness Training. I'll be there too, to answer the questions you are too shy to ask Adam.

• MCA Denver installation and facilities manager Nick Silici takes home second prize in the Westword's twenty raddest costumes at the 2012 Tour de Fat. Nick, please, use your victory winnings to send that filthy bunny suit to the cleaners.